Student Cap

What is a student cap? The student cap is a headwear that originated in the Middle Ages and was worn by university students and members of academia. Influenced by the church, European educators in the 14th century were required to dress modestly in monk-like attire, including a beret, while at the university. Among students, the cap served to distinguish their social status and area of study, as each university and faculty determined the form and colour of their attire. From the variety of headwear, the now typical form of a flat cap with a visor in the forehead area and a low bridge emerged in the years 1820-1830, similar to a police cap. By the end of the 19th century, caps following this pattern were also introduced for schoolchildren in most European countries. In German-speaking regions, the student cap remains part of the couleur (colour code) of student fraternities. As a symbol of their affiliation, members wear the cap and ribbon in the designated fraternity colours, with actives and alumni dressing according to their rank and privileges.