Robes thread from main list

[Jennifer Boggess Ramon]

At 3:58 AM +0000 10/27/02, GulPlum wrote:
>At 01:37 25/10/02 +0000, Steve wrote:
>  >a 'robe' by definition is an over or outer garment which implies some
>>undergarment beyond (in my opinion) underwear.
>
>I don't dispute that as a likely implication in the slightest. I do dispute
>it as a *necessary* implication, though. After all, "robe" came to English
>from the French for "dress"; whilst I would *expect* a male to wear
>something other than underwear underneath something designated a "robe", I
>wouldn't be surprised if he did not. For example, I know several real-world
>priests who don't wear anything else underneath their cassocks in summer.

I'm responding here on OTChatter because there is absolutely *no* 
canon in my post, but:

1) The most common use of "robe" 'round these parts is to refer to 
the thick cotton terrycloth thing one puts on after a bath.  It tends 
to close in front by a tie, and is most commonly worn IME with 
nothing on underneath it at all.  I have encountered people of both 
genders so attired.

2) Probably less relevant: there is a garment in my closet which is 
part of my religious wear; it was sewn and given to me by my high 
priestess from a very simple pattern.  It is a black cotton garment 
made essentially in the shape of a capital T with light serifs; the 
sleeves are full, and wider at the wrist than at the shoulder, while 
the body falls straight to the ankle.  It pulls over the head and is 
tied with its own fabric at the throat and with a sash (or, in our 
case, cord) at the waist.   It is very close to what I imagine Madam 
Malkin pulling over Harry's head in the robe shop, although I imagine 
that having a simple v-neck rather than the ties at the throat.  One 
can stash a wand in the sleeves, if one wishes; I've stashed an 11" 
candle-snuffer in mine.  It's very definitely a robe, and everyone 
calls it a robe.  And, in our circle, it is traditionally worn with 
nothing underneath.  If we lived in colder climes than Texas, it 
would be made of black wool instead of black cotton (and be far more 
expensive!), but the expectation would still be skyclad underneath 
the robe, or underwear at most, and we'd be a bit surprised to find 
someone wearing one with, say, sweatpants or jeans underneath. 
However, this is all religious tradition for us, and not relevant to 
the historical wearing of robes.

None of this would suggest that the majority of Wizarding World 
denizens don't wear something more than a breeze beneath their robes; 
only that it shouldn't be shocking that some of the older inhabitants 
don't . . .

-- 
  - Boggles, aka J. C. B. Ramon			boggles at earthlink.net
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