Wizard clothing (also Leaky C location)

[dfrankis at dial.pipex.com]

No: HPFGUIDX 21922

--- In HPforGrownups at y..., "-=dianne=-" <dianne at s...> wrote:
> I've been wondering about the clothes wizards wear. 

I think I'm out on a limb from the rest of the group here.  I took it 
from the start that robes are the clothes that wizards wear.  IIRC, 
in PS on the train Ron and Harry imply that they can't change into 
their robes while Hermione is in the same compartment.  Once the idea 
was entrenched in my head I understood other clothing references in 
terms of it - so the xmas jumpers (sweaters) are worn *over* the 
robes for extra warmth in winter.  I checked the scene in POA where 
Snape makes Harry turn out his pockets and was relieved to see no 
mention of trousers (that's pants on the other side of the pond).  
Ron's dress robe looks like a dress.  At the World Cup the wizards 
generally have no idea of Muggle clothes - only those of Muggle 
background think Archie is funny.

My idea of robes is the mediaeval/Gandalf type of thing.  I admit 
there are then the Sirius-on-Buckbeak (but in the middle ages they 
rode horses) and Weasley children issues.  What did the passers-by 
outside the Leaky Cauldron make of Arthur when they took the cars to 
Kings X? (BTW, speaking of L.O.O.N., can anyone cite me chapter and 
verse that this is definitely the Charing X Road?  I know the KB is 
mentioned as going along there but does that make it the final 
destination?)

It was one of the two things in the trailers/stills that grated with 
me when I saw that they were wearing not *robes* but academic 
*gowns*.  (The other I will post to the contest)

David