The tropical gown

[David Bean]

An ex-lecturer has just sent me the following fascinating link: http://www2.sta.uwi.edu/uwi60/media/chi ... awards.asp

It's not a coincidence, either: said lecturer has also provided conclusive proof that these gowns, a direct adaption of ours designed to suit the tropical climate, were introduced at what is now the University of the West Indies by none other than Principal Irvine! From Irvine's Royal Society obituary:

"For example, he visited India (1936) as Chairman
of the Viceroy's Committee on the Indian
Institute of Science, and he flew out to the West
Indies (1944) as Chairman of the West Indies
Committee of the Asquith Commission on Higher
Education in the Colonies. As a result of the
latter mission he became a prime mover in
founding the University College of the West
Indies, where the scarlet student-gown of St
Andrews may now be seen in a new environment."

Fascinating!

[eagle]

Thanks for that, David Bean.

[munchingfoo]

Thanks for that, David Bean.

WHAT THE FUCK?!

[macgamer]

On closer inspection these gowns are cut in a very different way to the United College undergraduate gown. In fact they appear to be merely red Bachelors gowns, which is more fitting since they are being worn by graduands / graduates.

[ex-lecturer]

On closer inspection these gowns are cut in a very different way to the United College undergraduate gown. In fact they appear to be merely red Bachelors gowns, which is more fitting since they are being worn by graduands / graduates.

No, they're undergraduates receiving prizes. The velvet yoke has been dispensed with, and the material seems to be thinner, but it's still recognisably a variation on the theme of the Scottish undergraduate gown. Students used to wear them to lectures, dinners etc. There are some historical photos on the UWI anniversary website.

[exnihilo]

Indeed so, and bear in mind, macgamer, that the cut of the undergraduate gown varies from institution to institution within Scotland as well, they're not all the same as St Andrews' ones.

[ex-lecturer]

... and the velvet yoke as well as the sleeves were added at St Andrews in the early 19th century because students said they were cold. Undergraduates wearing the old, sleeveless garment can be seen on screen at the new museum on the Scores (Silver Arrow video game) and on the famous 18th century capriccio (the two figures on the left):

http://www.townandgownartprints.com/st_ ... iccio.html

I've never seen one 'in the flesh' and fear that no specimen of the sleeveless gown survives.

[David Bean]

Haha, thanks for joining us, ex-lecturer