The holiday season is upon us, and if you’re a fan of the popular book and film series, ‘Harry Potter,’ you may be on the hunt for the perfect piece to add to your wardrobe. For many, a Hogwarts robe, which represents your chosen house, is a coveted item. While not everyone can afford to splash out on the expensive versions available at Wizarding World in Orlando, there are many affordable Halloween-themed versions available online. Whatever your budget, everyone deserves to wear something with house pride!
However, if you’re a true ‘Harry Potter’ fan, you may be seeking a unique style of robe. Did you know that there are at least three distinct versions of the robe designed for both the films and stage play? Here are some details that you may not already know and may want to keep in mind as you shop for or as you hope for a robe this holiday season.
First and foremost, when we think of ‘Harry Potter’ robes, we typically envision the black bathrobe style that fastens at the neck. While this style is the most commonly seen in the films, it’s important to remember that this isn’t how Hogwarts students are depicted in the books. In the book series, robes are designed to be pulled over the head, rather than tied at the waist. This allows for a more casual, relaxed look that is consistent with the overall tone of the story.
Another important detail to note is the color of the robes in the books. Unlike in the films, all student robes are depicted as black in the book series. Students are expected to own at least three each and these robes are typically purchased for first-year students before they are sorted into their respective houses. However, it’s important to note that the books never indicate that house color detailing is added to the robes later on. Thus, there is no red lining in a Gryffindor robe, and there’s no Slytherin emblem on the chest. Only prefects, head boy and girl, and Quidditch captains wear badges with their position and house color.
Finally, when it comes to the colors of the robes in the films, it’s worth noting that the House of Ravenclaw’s colors are different from those shown in the books. The House’s crest in the books is adorned with an eagle, while in the films, it’s a raven. Additionally, the house’s colors are blue and bronze in the books, while they’re changed to blue and silver in the films. Although this is a relatively minor change, it’s one that may be of interest to die-hard fans of the series.
In conclusion, while there are certainly differences between the robes in the books and the robes in the films, it’s important to remember that both have their own charm and represent the magic of ‘Harry Potter.’ Whether you’re looking for a holiday gift or a piece of clothing to express your love for the series, there are plenty of options available. Just remember to keep these details in mind when making your decision!
School Uniforms
In the Harry Potter universe, only pullover black robes were initially worn as school uniforms. However, in the Harry Potter films, an additional full school uniform was designed to be worn underneath the robes, consisting of a tie in the corresponding house color, a white shirt, navy skirt or slacks, and a gray sweater or sweater vest, also decorated with house colors on the edges. Note that this additional uniform is only featured in the movies and is not explicitly present in the books. Therefore, the uniforms in the movies are somewhat different from those depicted in the books, showcasing a more diverse and creative style.
Pointed Hats
In the novels, the hats are worn for most feasts and special occasions, further enhancing their significance in the Harry Potter universe. This uniform adjustment, though not drastic, is one of the many changes made to the Hogwarts uniforms when they transitioned from page to screen.
Changes In The Third Movie
The uniforms within the Harry Potter movie series have undergone numerous changes throughout the films. For example, the entire student outfit was given a makeover in the third movie, Harry Potter and the Prisoner of Azkaban. This was not the first time a uniform had been altered. The first film not directed by Christopher Columbus, Alfonso Cuaron, had the cast wear more “muggle” attire, darkened the house colors, and changed the striping pattern on scarves and ties. Additionally, the house emblems on all robes shrunk slightly.
Old Uniforms
During the second movie, The Chamber of Secrets, a similar uniform to the Cuaron design was seen. This outfit was worn by Tom Riddle when he was a student. Riddle is seen wearing this outfit in flashbacks while Harry reads his diary, and again when he appears to Harry and Ginny in the Chamber of Secrets.
The new ties worn in the third movie were similar in style to the ones worn by Riddle in the second movie. It is possible that Cuaron may have favored this design over the current one worn by Harry and his classmates.
Robes Or Blazers?
In Harry Potter and the Half Blood Prince, Tom Riddle and his fellow Slytherins were seen wearing blazers over their uniforms, rather than robes. Whether this was a replacement for the usual black robes or just a different option from the usual Hogwarts cardigan or sweater vest, we are left without sufficient information to make a decision.
Layering With The Marauders
In the fifth film, Harry Potter and the Order of the Phoenix, blazers were seen worn beneath robes rather than sweaters. Blazers had once been a part of the Hogwarts dress code, as seen in the flashbacks of Tom Riddle, and may have been discontinued during the later period when the Marauders were at school.
Those who have seen the stage play of Harry Potter and the Cursed Child may have noticed that, in the current world, the uniforms at Hogwarts have undergone another makeover. While blazers did not return as a mainstay of Hogwarts style, house sweaters and robes were given a significant change. The sweaters in particular were given more color, with students now wearing colorful sweaters with a gray, or yellow, or gray stripe along the edge.