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St. Andrews' traditions

I always see St. Andrews' students wearing a red gown in photos. Do they always wear gowns at St. Andrews? Is it true that gowns are extremely expensive? Does St. Andrews have matriculations and formal halls like they do at Oxbridge and Durham?

Reply 1

Dalimyr

There are SOME people who always wear gowns, though they are usually bloody snobby, arrogant people who are completely ignorant of those around them (they walk in groups, and if you're walking towards a group of them on a narrow path, you're the one who'll have to move out of the way because I can almost guarantee they won't even consider doing so themselves)

The gowns, brand new, cost £110 but you can get them second-hand a bit cheaper. I have yet to get one and don't intend to unless I absolutely have to...a former housemate of mine last year bought one and wanted to wear it everywhere. One day (maybe two months after buying it) he was in a rush to get to class, so asked if he could borrow my bike. The gown got caught in the bike and ripped (so I was told, though I never saw proof of it...I guess the fact that he never wore the gown afterwards should be proof enough, but whatever :biggrin:

Didn't like him much, anyway), and in one fell swoop he had wasted £110, as he'd bought one brand new.

Uh, formal halls? Not entirely sure what you're talking about there...having never been to Oxbridge/Durham, those examples don't really help me, either :biggrin:

Reply 2

Feefifofum

Formal halls are formal dinners where we have to wear gowns. Not sure about St Andrews though.

Reply 3

Icecradle

I have a gown. hehe.

I wear it: To St Salvator's Chapel when I go, at demonstrations/events, formal dinner (high table in hall) and other places where the poster says 'Wear a gown'.

People wear them at debates and if they are representing the University, for example on open day.

You attach your Raisin String (which you receive on Raisin Weekend - although I don't have one yet :frown:

) to the gown and there are certain ways you wear it, depending on faculty and year.

I bought mine new (oooh shiny) and I like it, even if I don't wear it much because I can pretend to be clever while wearing it.

Reply 4

ebonyphoenix

Are you considered weird if you wear the gown places other than formal events or events that specify a gown? I absolutely love the gowns, but I don't want to be this strangely conspicuous person wearing a gown if they are in fact reserved for only formal occasions. Dalimyr, do you know anyone who wears their gown just around town that isn't a total snob? Or is the gown only reserved for those of high esteem who don't deign to acknowledge us ordinary folk?