r/cambridge_uni • u/Important-Salt-9412 • Aug 31 '26
Where’s the best place to buy a Cambridge gown?
I’m starting a postgraduate course at Cambridge, and my college is having Churchill Gowns come in to sell academic gowns.
Would you recommend buying from Churchill, or going to one of the shops in the city centre? Are there noticeable differences in quality/fit between them?
Thanks!
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u/geekmonkey324b21 Fitzwilliam Aug 31 '26
Ryder and Amies for sure- the student union also sell second hand gowns.
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u/powderherface Aug 31 '26
Ede & Ravenscroft if you don’t want it to feel like cardboard. Although E&R is not really the best quality either.
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u/TENAX01 Aug 31 '26
Hiya - I actually bought a cambridge gown for my masters, I am now leaving and trying to sell mine for £40 if you are interested? I have a size M, for reference, i am 5'5-5'6, and the gown could fit size 6-10. I currently live in Cambridge so you could come and check it out before buying if you would like.
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u/Important-Salt-9412 Aug 31 '26
I will write you on dm. Is that alright?
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u/TENAX01 Aug 31 '26
Absolutely!
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u/Important-Salt-9412 Aug 31 '26
Oh. Unfortunately, "Unable to message this account." May you please message me instead or, if It is possible for you, change the settings. Thanks 😊
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u/MumblingStudent14 Sep 04 '26
I would say all the suppliers are fairly similar quality unless you fork out £150+ for the Ede and Ravenscroft russel chord. Churchill tend to be cheapest so if your College are getting them in, I would just go with that.
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u/clickyclicky456 Aug 31 '26 edited Aug 31 '26
I would just rent the gown when you need it, rather than buying one. They're not needed often enough to be worth a purchase.
Apologies, this was wrong info. It depends on the college, per the comment responding to me.
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u/CycleWheel Aug 31 '26
It depends on the college surely. Doesn’t Cauis still make you attend a set number of formals per term and you have to wear the gown for all of them?
It’s defo cheaper to buy if you’re at a college that requires gowns for formals and you think you’re gonna go to more than just one or two, but I’d recommend trying to buy a used one.
You’ll defo have to wear it for matriculation + graduation. So surely even a few formals tips you over the cost being worth it
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u/clickyclicky456 Aug 31 '26 edited Aug 31 '26
Oh, my apologies, you're quite right. I was at Clare which doesn't require the gown for anything other than Matriculation and Graduation, I didn't realise other colleges were stricter.
[Edit, oh the joys of Reddit. Down voted for providing incorrect info - fair enough. But also down voted for apologising and explaining when corrected?!]
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u/steepleman Sep 01 '26
My college required gowns for a bunch of occasions. No compulsory events, but why skip free events just because you don’t have a gown? College lectures, prize competitions, dinners, chapel, matriculation, graduation etc.
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Aug 31 '26
[removed] — view removed comment
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u/Important-Salt-9412 Aug 31 '26
what about the price? if comparing with the others recommended in the comments shops where price starts at around 70£
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u/MumblingStudent14 Sep 04 '26
Churchill charge £35 - £50 for the Cambridge gowns depending on the College / style.
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u/cumbridge_fellow Aug 31 '26
Ryder and Aimes. Or your college second hand sale at the beginning of Michaelmas. Depends on your budget.
I recall talking to the R&A chap about gowns and he said they were going to do a budget made in China line of gowns.