A robe is a long, loose outer garment, often worn for warmth, comfort, or ceremony. Judges, graduates, and people at home in the morning all might wear robes.
From Old French *robe* “dress, garment,” from a Germanic word meaning “plunder, spoils” because clothing was often taken in war. The meaning shifted from “stolen clothes” to just “garment.”
It’s ironic that judges and royalty wear robes, since the word traces back to war booty—clothes taken as spoils. The garment of authority has roots in the chaos of battle and looting.
Robes have carried gendered and status‑laden meanings—from judicial and academic robes historically worn mostly by men to domestic or decorative robes marketed primarily to women. This reflects broader patterns of who is visible in formal authority roles.
When referring to professional robes (e.g., judges, graduates), avoid assuming the wearer’s gender. Use neutral terms like “the judge in the black robe” rather than gendered stereotypes.
["gown","cloak","garment"]
As women have entered professions like law and academia, they have literally and symbolically taken up robes previously reserved for men, reshaping public images of authority.
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