The traditional dresses allowed for formal dinners at the 800-year-old Cambridge University were so long that male students should wear a jacket, tie and smart trousers while women should wear a blouse and skirt or dress. But St Catharine's, founded in 1473, has, of late, broken that age old tradition after a campaign by a student who began transitioning from male to female last year; the college officials have agreed to rewrite the rules. Now male students can go for dinner in a dress and women can wear suits. Students who do not define themselves as male or female can chose either. It is hoped the change will make transgender students feel more comfortable and the college in line with 21st century gender notions. The college has become the first at the 800-year-old university to show the courage to change the formal dress code.