Clothes under robes, kilts (was Re: Snape's nationality and worst memory)

[junediamanti]

No: HPFGUIDX 76212

--- In HPforGrownups at yahoogroups.com, "sleepingblyx" 
<sleepingblyx at y...> wrote:
> 
> 
> Yes, but if you put it in context with magic practice, it would 
make 
> more sense why the robes in the Potterverse endured. It wouldn't 
> make sense that they would have just chosen to be naked 
underneath, 
> or robed even, for centuries just because they were doing it 
> thousands of years ago. Even people in Roman times did not usually 
> wear floor leagnth robes to anything but senate matters and 
> religious events because it wasn't practical. Which is why they 
> later started developing better covers for themselves for while 
they 
> rode horses and such. 
> 
> I think that J.K.R is making a point when she says they are in 
long 
> (sometimes hooded)robes and not simply tunics, togas, or 
loincloths 
> (lol), and why the school uniform is a robe, and not the grammar 
> school outfit they run around in in the movie, with a long cover. 
> That would signify a return to a tradition, not simply a cultural 
> fashion of days gone by. 
> 
> There is something significant about robes-- not just in 
> the "witchy" world, but in most faiths. To put on a robe suggests 
to 
> partake in something spiritual and important-- and that is really 
> the meaning behind all they learn in Hogwarts, and I think the use 
> of the robes in uniforn helps to convey that. That they would have 
> stayed robed at all, and naked underneath, would be tipping its 
hat 
> to ideas (true or not) held about ritual magic.

Yes, I totally agree - but I think that there is also a cultural and 
historic significance.  What has happened is that the ritual dress 
must have kicked off at certain time (I wonder if the founding of 
Hogwarts c. 1000 is of significance here and it would fit the dress 
code) and I think that the "formal" dress of that period may have 
informed the robes idea.  

As we know fashions change.  Practicality will have dictated some 
additions/alterations to the original ritual dress - with the odd 
unreconstructed purist not wanting people to do any thing diffent.  
However, barring a few diehards - most people will have applied 
certain modern additions (especially underwear for comfort and 
keeping out the cold as much as anything).  Personally, I would be 
all for a mode of dress that draped the body contours, the designer 
Issey Miyake does this and it is very flattering, LOL.  Perhaps the 
REAL reason for the robes is that they hide the effects of all the 
carbs they consume at Hogwarts?

June

"It is a comfort in wretchedness
To have companions in woe."

Christopher Marlowe, Dr Faustus