Subfusc is the
traditional gown-and-bands attire for
students in
Oxford University. It consists of a black
suit (
skirt for women), white
bow-tie (
ribbon for women),
mortar board, and
gown. Bizarrely, though the mortar board is compulsory, it is illegal for undergraduates to actually wear it - it must be carried at all times. (There are actual
university police to enforce this. Penalties can result in a meeting with the dreaded
proctors.) Those who have won scholarships get a special robe (which usually costs about half the value of their scholarship!).
In Japanese it is apparently signifies "Quickly, quickly! I urgently need my photo taken". Those foolish enough to venture out in public during Trinity Term can testify to this unfortunate cross-cultural mix-up.
It's generally only worn on ceremonial occasions, such as matriculation, graduation, formal hall, and unfortunately, exams - though in some colleges with regular, compulsory formal hall this may mean twice weekly.