About Robes

[hert0661]

Original Yahoo! HPFG Header:
No: HPFGUIDX C2075
From: hert0661
Subject: Re: About Robes
Reply To: [Yahoo! #2073] About Robes
Date: 6/16/00 10:49 am  (ET)

<Back when I was in Britain I noticed that in Oxford, it was still the
custom of many to wear light academic robes over ones ordinary clothes
for everyday wear. This is sort of what I picture for Hogwarts students.>

I feel that I must comment to this. It is likely that the students you
saw were in fact off to examinations. It is part of the regulations that
people sitting examinations have to go to and from the examination place
wearing waht is called sub fusc.
Sub fusc comprises of a dark coloured suit for blokes and curiously a
white bow tie, white shirt and back skirt for women. On top of this is
worn a gown. For plane commoners (like myself) this is just a flimsy
piece of material with stupid bit for arms. For scholars (people who
do well in their first set of examinations) it is a fairly impressive
thing which is how I would imagine a robe to look.

Tutors then were more colourful gowns which look even more impressive.

The gown are made of a thin material and are not very noticable when
being worn.

The most impressive sight is to watch someone in full academic dress
cycling as the gown billows out behind them - rather as I expect quidditch
robes do.

I am looking for a web link so you can have a look at the photos but am
stuggling to find any!

Simon

PS: You are allowed to take the suit jacket off when in the exam,
especially good in the current hot weather!