The expression ‘Doctors wear scarlet’ is a directive to those holding doctorates to wear their festal gowns (see Academical Dress). Apart from on Scarlet Days, below, scarlet is worn when the Chancellor visits the University for the conferment of honorary degrees. The Vice-Chancellor may also signify that scarlet be worn on other occasions of celebration, and it is usually worn in College halls at feasts to commemorate either their foundation or their major benefactors.
