Wizard clothing - comparison with traditional UK schools / universities

[Jeremy Griffin]

No: HPFGUIDX 21935


Time for a delurk.

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

It's surprising what one can do whilst wearing academic gowns - like 
running all the way to exam schools because you fell asleep after 
turning off the alarm, eg. Nice billowing effect too, and they don't 
create too much drag (except in a strong gale).

I would view wizards' robes like the scholar's gowns at Oxford - or 
one of the undergrad ones at Cambridge - in style, that is. Perhaps 
even longer like the Ox/Cam BA gown.

In the old days, gowns were required everywhere one went - lectures, 
walking in the street, etc. You begin to think of the gowns as you 
would a coat/jacket - and I think that this is what it would be like 
in the wizarding world. No one will make you wear it, but you're so 
used to it that you begin to feel underdressed without it.

Part of the reason why it should look like academic gowns, IMO, is 
that Hogwarts is a traditionally-styled boarding school - and 
traditionally, the teachers wear academic gowns. Some pupils at some 
of these schools still wear gowns, IIRC - Winchester or something 
like that. Someone will doubtlessly correct me.

Of course, there are the psychological contexts too - associations 
with religion, education, mystical arts....things that people 
instinctively respect.

Although in the real world, the gowns signify a status - educator 
(therefore presumably educated!) and pupil. I wonder if there are any 
distinct differences between the robes for Hogwarts students and 
staff? (ie shape, size, swishyness) Do you get a nicer one once you 
are fully qualified? Does Dumbledore get the nicest one of all?

The trailer scenes in the hall remind me ever so much of Oxford and 
Cambridge formal halls (and the nice dinners and drinks!), where 
gowns are required. I remember that some colleges just specified 
gowns for dinner, so one could just throw a gown over whatever you 
were wearing (even shorts, sports kit etc) and be allowed into hall. 

There are also some arcane rules gvoerning the use of mortarboards 
too. I wonder if something similar is in force at Hogwarts for hats. 
(Hats to be worn at formal dinners only? Certainly not for breakfast, 
according to the trailer)

Just one final point : the distinction is made at Oxford that gowns 
refer either to student gowns, or graduate gowns worn with hoods. 
Robes are doctoral gowns (ie colourful festal dress) that are usually 
worn without hoods. Well, according to the academic dress outfitters 
at Oxford, anyway (www.shepherdandwoodward.co.uk classifies them this 
way)

Anyway, so it seems that the rules regarding the use of robes at 
Hogwarts are similar to those at older schools and Oxbridge - to be 
worn at formal events (eg matriculation, graduation, exams), classes, 
dinner (formal ones). Otherwise optional....oh, I forgot quidditch 
games (practice?)

I am still not entirely clear when robes are required, and when they 
are optional. I presume that I'll have to wait for the movie to 
figure that one out. 

Back to work....and lurking.