So as I was writing the other night, a thought occurred to me.

What exactly is the standard Hogwarts uniform in book canon?

I know that in the movies, the standard uniform is similar to a normal boarding school uniform; black slacks, gray jumper and tie with house colors on it. But what is it per the books? All I was able to recall was that they needed basic black robes and a black wizard/witch hat. Nowhere else in any of the books, (to my recollection) does it mention what else they wear.

For all we know, muggleborn and half-bloods wear muggle clothing beneath the robes and purebloods might wear nothing, or a tunic and breeches.

Any thoughts?

 

All that we're given are robes and hat, which I expect are all that is required... Though there is probably some form of undergarment so that you don't freeze to death in the winter (it is set in Scotland).

 

Two words: Long johns

 

I believe it is just underwear and such under the robes because Hermione leaves when Ron and Harry change on the train.

 

I do understand why most fanfictions adopted the under-uniform though. It doesnt make sense however, that a culture that is as steeped in pureblood tradition as magical england is, would have something as...muggle as a modern school uniform.

And then there is the fact that when James up ended Snivellus, everyone could see his underwear...

 

In Great Britain, there were schools that had some fairly 'strange' looking uniforms. Probably the most noticeable of these were the bluecoat schools.

There are still some that require the wearing of the traditional uniform...

http://www.archivist.f2s.com/bsu/Blcoat.htm

So the idea of the actual Hogwarts uniform being just robes (and maybe whatever you want to wear underneath for comfort/modesty...remember the wizard at the World Cup..he likes a 'healthy breeze' down there...and also, the traditional undergarment for a kilt...) is not too far fetched and is probably much more in line with what the books were trying to convey as opposed to what some director was told by an idiot script writer and costume department they were.

 

In the illustrations for the chapters where Hermione and Harry take Umbridge into the forest shows Harry wearing jeans and a regular shirt under his cloak. Hermione as well Iirc.

 

Ok, thank you all. It was just something that was bugging me.

 

Yet there was Malfoy taking points from Ron in OotP, because his shirt was untucked...

 

I don't think Rowling gave a shit, frankly. Simply put, she wrote what she felt like writing when she wanted to, regardless of whether or not it made sense.

You can ask yourself why, if Ron wears a shirt with a noticeable waist line under his robes, a uniform wasn't on the list. You could also ask why no one noticed that Harry wore clothing fit for a small whale. You would also wonder why 'changing into your robes' would be an embarrassing occasion if the opposite sex caught you if changing into your robes only implies putting them on over your normal clothes.

While I do enjoy Harry Potter canon arguments, I am beginning to become tired of them. Why? Because there is no clear answer. Ever. She didn't think things through enough to really have much of a clear answer on anything.

Then again, that may have been why fanfiction sprouted from HP like it did in the first place.

 

I prefer the open front with clothes under uniform, like those in the OotP movie. With uniform shirt, sleevless jumper thingy I can't remember the name of, and pants/skirt. Why? Because it's hard to get upskirts with ankle length robes, and I don't want to deprive growing boys the experience.

What? You all did it... Right?

As for Canon, this is one of the parts where Rowling screwed up on. She shifts between the two versions, so either is canon. Or rather, they're living in a minor paradox, so we'll have to leave it up to our imaginations as to which one we picture.

 

Don't count the book art as evidence...two different artists did it, one is an American and the other a Brit.

The thing that ticks me off the most about the movie clothing is not the school robes, but rather what everyone else is wearing. Come on Voldemort is really going to be wearing a suit, that looks like it fell off the prop truck for some late 60's TV spy show?

And Dumbledore...when Gambon took the role Dumbles went from being 'flamboyantly' dressed to looking like he mugged some hermit monk for a natty, old robe.

And where did they grab the uniforms for the Aurors in GoF, the prop room from the Battle of the Bulge? Hell, the British judicial system dresses more like wizards should than the Wizengamot did in that movie.

And Flitwick wearing a tuxedo? Sheesh...

 

The only mention in the book that I have found is in PoS.

3 sets of plain work robes, pointed hat, protective gloves, winter cloak, and a name tag. It doesn't say whether or not they have anything underneath, so that is all we have to go off of. You can add or subtract if you want. No one will care.

 

The more I think about it the more I think that Hogwarts should look like you crashed an SCA event...