From sinner

One of the most conspicuous of St Andrews traditions is the wearing of undergraduate gowns. They come in two guises. Students of the United College (artists and scientists) wear the famous red gown, while students of St Mary's College wear black gowns with a violet St Andrews cross. The reason for this is that divinity students always used to be graduates. The more common red gown was originally devised as a means of student control as it made naughty students easily spotted if they were frequenting inns and "houses of ill-repute." Wearing of it was compulsory. The gowns were redesigned in the 19th century to give more protection from the weather.

Because gowns have been around so long the tradition of wearing gowns has developed additional traditions, Therefore, nowadays, in a very demure form of strip-tease, the red undergraduate gown is slowly shed throughout the student's time at university.

• First years - wear it normally (but DON'T fasten the hooks)
• Second years - wear it pushed back onto the shoulders
• Third years - wear it off one shoulder (off left for artists, off right for scientists)
• Fourth years - wear it off both shoulders
• Subsequent years - wear it any way you want

It used to be expected that students would wear gowns to lectures and exams but now most people will wear them only on formal occasions e.g. debates, chapel services, and formal hall meals. It should be noted that it is NOT compulsory to wear or even own a gown so do not feel you must buy one.

Oh, one last thing. You may notice people of approximate student age wearing "fancy" gowns that are neither red nor divinity gowns. If you do, then you have spotted one of the great and good executive officers of the Students' Association. They wear different gowns because of their important position, so they can be spotted, approached and harangued, and because it makes them feel good. Mainly because it makes them feel good. The Association President was once so important that they had TWO fancy gowns. The lucky devil.