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Mortarboard or soft cap?

Which do you prefer? Its sounds to me like the soft hat might look nicer, but the mortarboard is more popular, anyway do you ever get to wear it or is it just for carrying?

Reply 1

Quistis

Everybody I know went for the mortarboard. I've never actually seen someone in the soft cap (apparently, you wear the soft cap - unlike the mortarboard, which you carry), but it's rumoured to be a stupendously stupid piece of attire.

Edit: No offence to anyone who's gone for the soft cap - I'm sure it's not as bad as it's rumoured to be! But our OUSU Freshers' Guide last year made a lot of fun of the soft caps, so if you haven't bought one yet, I'd recommend choosing the mortarboard.

Reply 2

Sinuhe

8

Sure, you can wear either, except I think you're meant to take off the mortarboard when in the presence of superiors (eg proctors) and when inside. You can wear the soft cap inside as well though.

But generally no one ever wears either - there's even a myth circling round that men aren't supposed to wear mortarboards until graduation (but women can ... it's a very sexist myth)!

The soft cap functions better as a pencil case for exams, so that's a definite pro. But it's up to you. You can try on both when shopping for gown/cap and then decide which one you like better. :smile:

Reply 3

Quistis

Sinuhe

Sure, you can wear either, except I think you're meant to take off the mortarboard when in the presence of superiors (eg proctors) and when inside. You can wear the soft cap inside as well though.

But generally no one ever wears either - there's even a myth circling round that men aren't supposed to wear mortarboards until graduation (but women can ... it's a very sexist myth)!

The soft cap functions better as a pencil case for exams, so that's a definite pro. But it's up to you. You can try on both when shopping for gown/cap and then decide which one you like better. :smile:

Until you graduate, you're not allowed to wear the mortarboard. If you're seen wearing it, you can be fined £80!

Reply 4

Sinuhe

8

Quistis

Until you graduate, you're not allowed to wear the mortarboard. If you're seen wearing it, you can be fined £80!

That's a myth as far as I know. If you read the big scary Examination Regulations book, you'll see that you're encouraged to wear all of the academic dress (except in certain cases).
I'm afraid I left the book in Oxford, otherwise I could find the relevant passage for you. Or at least I hope I could! :biggrin:

Edit: Sorry, it's in the Proctors' Memorandum.

Reply 5

daisyfrau

I'm getting the soft cap. Reasons:

1. I think it looks waay cooler. Seriously. They're ridiculously hot.
2. Graduated from uni in June so have done the mortarboard thing already. I still have my mortarboard so I wouldn't buy a second even if the oxford one is different. what'd I do with 2 mortarboards, let alone the one that's been sitting around all summer already?
3. In the states (where I studied) only the PhDs (and not even masters, law, dental, med or business grads) get to wear soft caps (males and females). we had a procession of whole lot of big-shot academic dons from other unis, and european unis and they all had soft caps - some of them with some pretty cool colored trim and fancy tassles. It was pretty cool - they looked so academic. We were so jealous!
4. I can show it off to my friends. :-)

I hope some of y'all join the soft cap camp. I'll, nonetheless, wear mine with great pride. I wouldn't wear it indoors though.

Reply 6

Quistis

Sinuhe

That's a myth as far as I know. If you read the big scary Examination Regulations book, you'll see that you're encouraged to wear all of the academic dress (except in certain cases).
I'm afraid I left the book in Oxford, otherwise I could find the relevant passage for you. Or at least I hope I could! :biggrin:

Edit: Sorry, it's in the Proctors' Memorandum.

I stand corrected. (I assume that Wikipedia is always right! :p:

)

Reply 7

buttons7

1

mortar board. you can wear it, but most people don't. soft caps just look funny.

Reply 8

Cirsium

19

I have never seen anybody wearing a soft cap ever. Just don't do it. Also the whole being fined thing is a myth - you just have to take it off in the presence of superiors.

Reply 9

fleur-de-lis

1

Bekaboo

I have never seen anybody wearing a soft cap ever. Just don't do it. Also the whole being fined thing is a myth - you just have to take it off in the presence of superiors.

I have

(thinking that this was what women were supposed to wear). It was handy during the exams... as a pen & pencil case.
But I got hold of someone else's mortar board later :biggrin:

Reply 10

dancingqueen

11

My friend bought the soft cap and then afterwards she bought a mortarboard as no-one else had the cap. I agree with Bekaboo, don't do it!!

Reply 11

Rose64

1

for the love of all that is good GET A MORTARBOARD

Reply 12

meef cheese

10

Right, so, I'm getting a mortarboard.

The OUSU deal is £35 for a "Cap & Gown". Can anyone confirm that this is a mortarboard? And is this a polyester gown, and a good deal generally?

Reply 13

Athena

6

Assuming you're male (as your profile would suggest...) you can't have a soft cap. Only women have the choice. So the deal is DEFINITELY a mortarboard.

Reply 14

dreamqueen

3

What I don't understand is why the OUSU deal is £5 more than when I just bought it in shepherd and woodward...

Reply 15

meef cheese

10

Athena

Assuming you're male (as your profile would suggest...) you can't have a soft cap. Only women have the choice. So the deal is DEFINITELY a mortarboard.

Oh...

dreamqueen

What I don't understand is why the OUSU deal is £5 more than when I just bought it in shepherd and woodward...

Hmmmm. It says that it's £47.98 at Shephard and Woodward on the OUSU leaflet and website.

Reply 16

thomasjtl

9

ede and ravenscroft offered me a gown, mortarboard and bowtie for £37 (no free scarf or anything as was mentioned by some), but it's only two pounds more than OUSU plus you get the bowtie. Methinks the OUSU deal isn't as great as they're trying to make out- i don't buy from people who lie to me.

Reply 17

dreamqueen

3

well i went in there (shepherd and woodward) and got a gown, mortarboard and ribbon for £30 - it's hanging in my wardrobe right now! Who knows what's up with OUSU :confused: