A sterile back surgical gown is closed by side and back belts tied at the user's side. The back belt is designed to be passed to the wearer without loss of sterility; and is stored in a pocket with its free end in an envelope that extends into the pocket and is deadfolded to remain in proper position, and that has an exposed transparent side so that an assistant can see the belt end. The fixed end of the back belt and one end of an inner tie are anchored by respective parts of a snap closure that releasably holds a closure panel in open position. The side belt is in a storage sleeve with a free end projecting forwardly and a loop extending rearwardly, and there is a Y-reinforcing strip connected between the side belt and gown to allow the belt to be pulled both forwardly and rearwardly without peeling from the gown.