Thank you for visiting our site for doctoral regalia (phd gowns, doctoral robes, academic hoods, velvet tams, etc.).
In the web page we describe the different types of doctoral regalia we offer, in detail, the differences in quality between each of the gowns, and how to go about ordering. Below that is a secure order form that you can use to order your graduation doctoral regalia from us.
If you have any questions whatsoever, please email us with your questions we will do our best to answer them ASAP. Otherwise, an order form is included below the information section of this page.
We basically sell three levels of "off the rack" doctoral regalia, and we also custom make made-to-measure regalia.
Generally, most doctors purchase either the Deluxe or Classic regalia, as the custom made-to-measure gowns tend to cost between $600-900 (the hoods and tams are the same price with made-to-measure as deluxe) which is beyond most people's budgets and for the majority of people, rather unnecessary since our deluxe gowns are every bit as nice as our made-to-measure gowns, except that they are based on off the rack rather than individual size patterns.
Unless the person absolutely requires specific fabrics or is extremely unusually proportioned, we generally suggest going with one of the three less expensive alternatives. As such, I will limit the bulk of my discussion below to the three "off the rack" types of regalia we carry, plus our "customized deluxe" regalia; however if, after reading the descriptions, you find that you would prefer a made-to-measure gown, we would be happy to send you an order form.
Deluxe, Classic, and Souvenir Academic Doctoral Regalia
Top of the line is our Deluxe gown. The deluxe doctor's gown is essentially a made-to-measure quality gown, but at "off the rack" prices. What we've done is take all of the fancy features of the made to measure gowns, using the most popular fabric, and created a deluxe gown, but instead of using a separate pattern for each individual to incorporate unusual neck circumference, sleeve length, etc., we use "off the rack" sizes based on the wearer's height and weight. These gowns are generously cut with 7" more fabric woven into the fluting, they have extra plush velvet, bell sleeves, a pocket slit for the hand, braided cording behind the neck, etc. However, because we can make them in multiples (versus one at a time for completely made-to-measure) we were able to knock the price down to $290.00 for the deluxe gown with either generic black or Ph.D. Blue velvet trim. We believe this to be the finest off the rack doctoral gown available at any price!
Our most popular, Deluxe Ph.D. blue velvet gown is pictured on our web site, however optional piping is also available on this gown. We can also custom make the deluxe gown in your choice of fabric colors, velvet colors and piping to match the regalia of most school requiring specialized regalia.
Deluxe Gown Options include piping, fabric or velvet changes.
In addition, we can also special make the above deluxe gown in Super 100'sTropical Wool fabric, in your choice of velvet colors and piping.
On the other extreme is the economy or souvenir gown. This gown is primarily used for high school, and bachelors, sometimes for masters, and least of all for doctors. The reason is simple. This gown is primarily a "one time use" gown. We make this gown as an alternative for rental regalia. For example, say a high school normally rents their gowns for $35.00 each. After the students are done, they have to return the regalia to the renter, and if there are losses, the high school is responsible. Instead, we offer souvenir gowns. Each student receives a brand new gown, in the bag, in their size (based on height and weight, like a rental gown). The material and tailoring is not nearly as nice as a rental gown, but since they are only wearing it once, and it is brand new, they can wear it without worrying. Best of all, we can sell these gowns individually for $30.00 to students ($5.00 less then rentals) or in bulk for $17.50 each, which means the school pays roughly HALF to purchase and give the gowns away then they would to rent the gowns. Often schools will reuse these gowns for a couple of years (they're not that bad that they would fall apart the second you take them off, but we don't advertise them to be reused, since that is not what they are designed for).
If you take one of these gowns and add velvet panels to the front of it, and velvet bars (chevrons) to the sleeves, you have a souvenir doctor gown. They would be available individually (with cap and tassel) for $80.00 or in bulk as low as $32.50
Now you can probably understand why we don't recommend these for doctors/faculty members. If a person is getting a high school or bachelor degree, they would only be wearing this the one time (or perhaps 2 or 3 if they have pictures). It's a great way to save money and you get a keepsake for all their hard work instead of making a rental return. But most Ph.D. and other Doctors who contact us are faculty members who need to wear the gowns every year, often four times a year. They are looking for a way to save money, compared with renting each semester, but frankly, after a couple of uses, the gowns would wear out and they'd be back where they started from.
Therefore in between the deluxe and the souvenir, we have the classic gown. In terms of tailoring, the classic gown is essentially a rental quality gown. It is an ideal gown for the faculty member looking to purchase a good quality gown to last him or her for years to come, but who does not require the superior tailoring of a deluxe or fully custom made to measure gown. The classic doctor gowns come standard with open sleeves (as opposed to the deluxe which feature deluxe bell sleeves), and black-velvet chevrons. However for the fabric, we use the same material as our deluxe gown, so we consider it "one step above rental quality".
Classic Faculty quality Black Velvet Dr. gown shown with deluxe hood.
Fabric is same material as deluxe gown; however velvet in not built up the same, and sleeves are open style.
IN STOCK with black velvet (as shown above) @ $175.00
Deluxe gown with black velvet or Ph.D. blue velvet (above)
Generally available IN STOCK for immediate delivery at $290.00
Deluxe Doctoral gown with Lilac Velvet and Gold Piping
Other velvets (sky blue for Ed. D., scarlet for theology, hunter for medicine) also available
Deluxe gown with black velvet and light blue (education) piping above.
$290.00 gown plus $75.00 piping = $365.00
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Deluxe Doctoral / Ph.D. gown with choice of black-velvet or royal blue velvet
and gold piping shown above. Usually in-stock in most sizes.
$290.00 gown plus $75.00 piping = $365.00
NOTE - the Deluxe PhD gown gown shown above (with PhD blue velvet and Gold Piping) is IN STOCK most of the time in most sizes for fast delivery!
Additionally the deluxe black-velvet gown with gold piping is in stock most of the time in most sizes.
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Deluxe gown with black velvet and white piping above.
$290.00 gown plus $75.00 piping = $365.00
Deluxe Ed.D. gown with sky blue velvet and gold piping.
$290.00 for deluxe gown + 75.00 piping + 30.00 velvet change
President's or Chancellor's doctoral gown with 4 chevrons.
$290.00 for deluxe gown + 75.00 piping + 40.00 for extra chevron on each sleeve.
We can also CHANGE the fabric of your gown from black to any number of other colors (blue, red, crimson, brown, gold, green, grey, creme, etc.).
If you would like to see the options of fabric colors please visit the following link where we show the colors available for your custom gown plus an online custom gown designer where you can see what your custom gown will look like:
While some universities have specific regalia requirements unique to their institution (i.e. Brown, Harvard, Cornell, Princeton, Yale, etc.) MOST schools follow the traditional academic guidelines of a black gown with black or degree velvet, a 6 or 8 sided tam, and degree velvet hood with school colors indicated in the lining.
All others, wanting high quality deluxe or custom "traditional" regalia, showing their degree and school should keep the following guidelines in mind when ordering:
All doctors, regardless of doctorate (M.D., Ph.D, J.D., Ed.D, etc.) may use black-velvet on their gown.
However when purchasing regalia, many doctors prefer to use their degree velvet color on their gown to match the degree velvet on their hood.
Please keep in mind that the dark royal blue is used for all Ph.D degree hoods, regardless of specialty of discipline. For that reason, many Ph.D. holders wanting to show their discipline, or wanting to dress up their hood, elect to add gold piping or "degree color" piping to their hoods or gowns.
HOODS
The Deluxe doctoral hood costs $145.00 with optional gold piping or $130.00 without piping. Either way, this is a truly beautiful hood! We recommend the deluxe hood for all deluxe and classic gowns.
The Economy doctor hood is $80.00
The velvet of the hood indicates the degree (for example dark royal for Ph.D; light blue for Ed. D; Hunter green for Medicine etc.) and the school colors are indicated on the satin lining.
So for example while an Ed. D receives light blue signifying education, a Ph.D in Education uses the darker Ph.D blue velvet. A doctor of divinity or theology would use scarlet velvet, but a Ph.D. in divinity/theology would use Ph.D. blue velvet.
For that reason, many Ph.D. holders wanting to show their discipline, elect to add "degree color" piping to their hoods or gowns.
For example, many people with a Ph.D. in Science <who must use Ph.D. Blue Velvet on their hood --not gold, since their degree is a doctor of philosophy> elect to add gold piping to their hood or gown, just as a Ph.D. in Education may elect to add Light Blue piping to his/her hood.
Deluxe Ph.D gown & hood with gold piping added to hood only.
Deluxe Ph.D. gown & hood with orange piping added to both hood and gown.
Velvet tams can be purchased for ANY of the gowns.
Tams are available in four, six or eight sided models, with your choice of traditional (silky) rayon two-button gold tassel @ $78.50 or with a gold bullion two-button metallic tassel @ $92.00
Wardrobe consultant Morte' says:
Most average to tall men prefer the eight sided model tam. This is the most round looking tam, and is the best looking on tall or large individuals of physical prowess.
Most average sized women and short to average size men tend to look best in the six sided model. The six sided tam is the most popular style, since it looks the best on most people.
Large women or women with lots of hair often look best with eight sided tams.
Most short & stocky women tend to look best in the four sided tams, since it looks the least round.
Velvet tams are usually made in black-velvet, and are ordinarily kept in-stock. You have your choice of 4 sided tams; 6 sided tams; and 8 sided tams.
If you like, we can also special make your tam with the bullion tassl in another color for $20.00 extra. Please allow +/- 8 weeks, for all "other than black" tams, except for Ph.D. velvet tams which are generally available in stock as a 6 or 8 sided tam with the bullion tassel.
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SAXON UNIFORM NETWORK, INC. Doctoral Regalia Department
234 9th Street
Braddock, PA 15104
412-422-GOWN (412-422-4696)
Fax 412-273-3416
Because we do not keep incomplete or partial orders, or orders without payment in our files (takes up too much room in our in-box and gets confusing), it is imperative that regardless of how you send us your order (fax, e-mail, letter, etc.) that you send (or resend as the case may be) all the information necessary to complete this order.
Please be sure to include name, bill-to and ship-to address, tel #, style, quantity, size, color, payment info, date needed, etc.
One of the nice things about our company is that we give PERSONAL attention to each order. We also offer FREE LOANERS so if there isn't time to make you what you need when you need it, we would rush you loaner regalia while your actual regalia is being made. When you're done with it, just send it back to us. However we also work hard to keep most items IN-STOCK.
If you have any questions, you can also CALL us at 412-422-GOWN (412-422-4696),
or you can submit your order via this form or by fax, whichever is easiest.
Thank you for contacting us, and I hope we can facilitate your doctoral regalia purchase.
Cap and Gown / Academic Regalia Division Saxon Uniform Network, Inc.
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