Under The Gown
Tradition holds that full dress with white tie, be worn under the gown, although in recent years, this is rarely observed among students. In the past, when Harvard gowns were worn open, this meant that black tailcoats and white ties were worn under the gown. This tradition is similar to the Oxford University concept of subfusc. It is also similar, but not the same, as formal white tie dress.
In 1892, the first year gowns were worn to Class Day, the Class Day Committee established that:
No senior will wear ribbons, badges or medals of any description on the gown. The cap will not be removed for the purpose of greeting acquaintances, but will be removed indoors. Black coats and waistcoats with white ties, and dark trousers will be worn under the gown. There must be no violation of this rule. The cap and gown will be retained in the evening, unless removed to facilitate dancing.
An acceptable variant was full formal dress, white tie, but without the coat, the gown being worn in its place.
Today, formal morning dress including top hats, and often gloves and canes, is worn by officials at Commencement who are not wearing gowns.
Read more about this topic: Academic Regalia Of Harvard University, The Regalia
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Of every star that heaven doth show,
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—John Milton (1608–1674)