Monastic Robes
“If one considers the three robes, they are not made to fit the body but they are made in such a way that they fall off very easily, so that one must be constantly mindful not to let the robes slip off and to hold onto an edge or corner of them all the time. Because the robes are a symbol of the Buddha's teaching, one is very much encouraged to keep the robes tidy and to wear them neatly and elegantly. By doing so, one constantly maintains mindfulness.”
—From Robes and Requisites compiled by Lodro Sangpo
Questions to consider
What is the meaning of monastic robes?
How should they be worn?
When is it appropriate to not wear them, or wear other clothing?
READ
Advice For Practice—Answering the Question: Why are you Wearing Robes? by Lama Thubten Zopa Rinpoche
Sangha Dress Code by Lama Zopa Rinpoche
The Review of Monastic Protocols from the Kagyu Monlam. This doesn’t show how to do it properly but simply gives you a sense of what things need to be learned from a senior, and the importance of learning these forms. Each lineage has slight differences in these protocols. You can also read more about this examination here.
Robes and Requisites compiled by Gelong Lodrö Sangpo
Watch
Uniforms: Zen Buddhist Monks, interviews with monastics at Zen Mountain Monastery about the meaning of robes and uniforms:
Practical advice
How to Sew Monastic Robes, includes history of the robes and more.
Robes for sale at Tibetan Spirit this is where most monastics in North America purchase their robes online.
The best places to get monastic robes in Asia are Kathmandu, Nepal (in Boudhanath), Dharamsala in India, Bodhgaya in India (not the best), or from Tibet/China.
Ask a senior monastic in your own lineage or tradition for advice about what to wear and how to wear it, as each lineage has unique aspects to the style and form. None of these styles is more correct, but you should make an effort to follow in the form of your primary monastic community.