The gown, analogous to the Western doctoral robe is constructed from heavy material, most appropriately of black color, and usually features double-bell sleeves with a cuff (mimicking the cassock once worn under it) and velvet facings (or panels) running over the neck and down both sides of the front enclosure length-wise (mimicking the ecclesiastical scarf or tippet once worn over it.)

A minister who has earned an academic doctoral degree in any of the theological disciplines (D.D., D.Min., S.T.D., Th.D.) or in the liberal arts and sciences (Ph.D., D.A.) may adorn each sleeve with three chevrons or bars of velvet cloth, also most properly black, signifying senior scholarly credentials. The velvet panels of the gown's facings and chevrons are often adorned with red piping.

Contemporary choir robes and other expressions of lay vesture as used in the Protestant tradition are inspired by, but remain distinct from, the Geneva gown.

By convention a minister may wear the gown only at expressly Christian services of worship wherein a sermon, that is an exposition of Scripture, is delivered.

With the gown a minister may also wear preaching bands and a liturgical stole. Less typically a minister may choose to put on white gloves when distributing the elements of the Lord's Supper, a practice predating the advent of stainless steel chalices and communion trays.

For historical and theological reasons the gown is most typical of Congregational, Presbyterian and Reformed churches, that is those congregations primarily influenced by Calvinist formulations of Christian doctrine and church order, and less customary but nonetheless common in the Baptist and Methodist traditions. In fact, the pulpit robe is among the usual Methodist vestment worn by elders in a service of worship, although the Alb is also very common. The gown can also be found worn in some "low church" parishes of the Lutheran communion and in many African-American congregations regardless of denominational affiliation. Rarely, if ever, is this uniquely Protestant attire worn by Anglican, Eastern Orthodox or Roman Catholic clergy.

In the Church of Scotland, it is normal for the Geneva Gown to be vented (opened at the front), sleeveless, and worn over a cassock. The cassock, usually black (like its counterpart in the Church of England), also comes in blue (signifying the Royal Blue in the Flag of Scotland, which bears the Cross of St. Andrew, the patron saint of Scotland), with a red cassock signifying a Queen's Chaplain. This practice is sometimes followed by some English Methodists and American Presbyterians, although the more familiar American-style gown, or even a black cassock is worn.

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