Grammar Question--Why Robes

[pengolodh_sc]

--- In HPFGU-OTChatter, Geoff Bannister123 wrote:
> It occurred to me after my last post that the usage is
> rather odd. If I might refer to "the medium which dare
> not speak its name", pupils in the films really wear a
> gown. 
> 
> In my grammar school, all the staff wore one of these.
> They are not an academic gown which would include a hood
> and the colour of the university faculty or discipline
> but are just a "working" gown for everyday use and I am
> surprised that JKR did not call them that. 

I am not certain that a gown was what JKR envisioned when writing the books, though. I'm going from memory here, but as far as I can recall, in PS, when Harry is at Madam Malkin's to have his robes fitted, Madam Malkin slips the garment over Harry's head. 

I cannot really say that I see "slipping it over one's head" as a natural way of putting on any part of the school uniforms seen in the movies, whether one is putting the uniform on oneself or on others. To me the description in the book suggests a garment that is closed and perhaps a bit loose-fitting. The lack of reference to other clothes in the list if things he needs for his schoolyear also suggests that the robes completely cover the other clothing the students wear.

Best regards
Christian Stubø