Robes

Robes are loose-fitting outer garments most commonly worn by wizard and witches. A robe is distinguished from a cape or cloak by the fact that it usually has sleeves. They can come in many forms, patterns, designs and colours, and are available in standard and dress varieties, among others.

Hogwarts students are required to own three sets of standard black robes embellished with their Hogwarts emblem as part of their uniform when they attend classes, eat meals and study in the Great Hall. For the Yule Ball in 1994 (part of the traditional calendar of the Triwizard Tournament, which took place that year), students were required to wear dress robes, which are a more formal version of standard robes.

Teachers' robes are more academic in nature and vary in colour. Some wear highly decorated robes, such as Albus Dumbledore, but most wear simpler robes, such as Severus Snape and Minerva McGonagall, whose robes are generally plain in style and colour.

There are several shops that sell robes in Britain, such as Madam Malkin's Robes for All Occasions and Twilfitt and Tatting's in Diagon Alley, and Gladrags Wizardwear in the village of Hogsmeade.

Behind the scenes

 * In Harry Potter and the Goblet of Fire, the dress robes were described as being "More or less the same as ... school ones". However this was greatly changed for the film adaptation, where the boys appeared to be wearing attire similar to muggle formal-wear and girls were dressed in elegant ball gowns.