St Andrews Gown: Buy on ebay or at Uni?

Im off to St Andrews this September and I really want one of the red academic gowns. Ive heard you can buy them new for about £100, or second hand for about £60. But I've also heard you can occasionally get really good deals on ebay, for as low as about £20.

Anyone got any ideas?

Reply 1

niamhster

10

I would wait till i had started first before buying one, then be on the look out then for bargains. You only really need one if you get involved with debating or some formals etc as far as i'm aware.

Reply 2

Rebecca G

OP

I guess youre right, but I really do want a gown anyway as I reckon they're useful for debates and the pier walk and stuff. Ive heard that its impossible to get a decent one second hand from the uni. I think I'll be bidding on ebay- they've got one on at the moment that looks quite good.

Cant wait to get into the whole st andrews thing YAY!

Reply 3

SamJL

1

Can you not just hire one? Seems like a lot of money for something you'll put on only a few times....

or do you have to wear them lots at St Andrews?

Reply 4

Ben Samson

Im 2nd year at St Andrews, and depending how actively involved you are with the universtiy itself, I'd reccomend buying a gown as soon as possible. Bear in mind you cant hire undergraduate gowns, only graduation gowns.

On the first few days of Freshers week it is possible to buy a gown in the Student's Union, but the good ones get snatched up very quickly and unless youre five foot, there wont be much available.

You can buy them new of course, but (like lots of things in that town) the price will be sky high.

I would advise you to ask around and speak to some 4th years who may be willing to sell theirs down onto you, or put a 'wanted' message up in your hall when you arrive.

You'd be extremely lucky to find one on ebay but I suppose its always worth a look.

Good luck, Im sure you'll have a fantastic time up at StAnny's.

Reply 5

jamiepuk17

Ben Samson

Im 2nd year at St Andrews, and depending how actively involved you are with the universtiy itself, I'd reccomend buying a gown as soon as possible. Bear in mind you cant hire undergraduate gowns, only graduation gowns.

On the first few days of Freshers week it is possible to buy a gown in the Student's Union, but the good ones get snatched up very quickly and unless youre five foot, there wont be much available.

You can buy them new of course, but (like lots of things in that town) the price will be sky high.

I would advise you to ask around and speak to some 4th years who may be willing to sell theirs down onto you, or put a 'wanted' message up in your hall when you arrive.

You'd be extremely lucky to find one on ebay but I suppose its always worth a look.

Good luck, Im sure you'll have a fantastic time up at StAnny's.

This might be a stupid question, but does anyone know if you need gowns for debating at other uni's like Glasgow for instance?

Reply 6

johnox

Rebecca G

Im off to St Andrews this September and I really want one of the red academic gowns. Ive heard you can buy them new for about £100, or second hand for about £60. But I've also heard you can occasionally get really good deals on ebay, for as low as about £20.

Anyone got any ideas?

Your message prompted me to put my old gown up on EBay - it's a vintage woollen one in perfect condition, not the cheap polyester rubbish they'll try to fob you off with nowadays. Hope that's of some interest - it's high time it saw the light of day again. It has a first-class honours MA to its credit so may bring its new owner some luck (but no substitute for working till 3 a.m. every day during term, alas....).

St Andrews Gown: Buy on ebay or at Uni?

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