Robes (silly question)

[Stephanie Roark Keener]

No: HPFGUIDX 24453

--- In HPforGrownups at y..., "CJK" <jkaminskaja at c...> wrote:
> 
> > > Maybe robes are the equivalent of formal wear (like a jacket 
and tie)
> > and Hagrid is wearing the equivalent of a T-shirt and jeans?
> 
> > Ok, then, if that's the case, why do they wear robes to the QWC ?
> 
> Hmm... okay, I'm grasping at straws here. Another theory - Robes 
are "proper
> wizards'" clothing. Do we know if Flich's always/ever wearing them? 
Maybe
> only acknowledged wizards and witches wear robes, and Hagrid 
doesn't count
> as one because he never graduated Hogwarts?
> 
> Help me out here, I'm drowning. :)
> 
> CJK

No, I think you're on to something. If robes were just sort of 
standard magical wear, it would seem that not only Hagrid, but the 
kids would wear them all the time too.  Insted, it's more like a 
school uniform, and then a mark of honor, and training, to get to 
wear them all the time.  That would make them more like academic 
robes than the gown-like robes that we think of Disney's Merlin, or 
some other such character, wears.  Maybe that would explain why 
they're being depicted as open in the front???  (Hey, is there 
anybody out there at Sewanee??  Doesn't your faculty have to wear 
robes most of the time??  Ha!  Wizard University -- it's been in 
Tennessee all along ;) ).
Stephanie