Clothing by J. K. Rowling

Keeping to my word, below is the essay from Mrs. Rowling about the clothing attire of wizards and witches in her world. Enjoy!

Wizards at large in the Muggle community may reveal themselves to each other by wearing the colours of purple and green, often in combination. However, this is no more than an unwritten code, and there is no obligation to conform to it. Plenty of members of the magical community prefer to wear their favourite colours when out and about in the Muggle world, or adopt black as a practical colour, especially when travelling by night.

The International Statute of Secrecy laid down clear guidelines on dress for witches and wizards when they are out in public.

When mingling with Muggles, wizards and witches will adopt an entirely Muggle standard of dress, which will conform as closely as possible to the fashion of the day. Clothing must be appropriate to the climate, the geographical region and the occasion. Nothing self-altering or adjusting is to be worn in front of Muggles.

In spite of these clear instructions, clothing misdemeanours have been one of the most common infractions of the International Statute of Secrecy since its inception. Younger generations have always tended to be better informed about Muggle culture in general; as children, they mingle freely with their Muggle counterparts; later, when they enter magical careers, it becomes more difficult to keep in touch with normal Muggle dress. Older witches and wizards are often hopelessly out of touch with how quickly fashions in the Muggle world change; having purchased a pair of psychedelic loon pants in their youth, they are indignant to be hauled up in front of the Wizengamot fifty years later for arousing widespread offence at a Muggle funeral.

The Ministry of Magic is not always so strict. A one-day amnesty was announced on the day that news broke of Lord Voldemort's disappearance following Harry Potter's survival of the Killing Curse. Such was the excitement that witches and wizards took to the streets in their traditional clothes, which they had either forgotten or adopted as a mark of celebration.

Some members of the magical community go out of their way to break the clothing clause in the Statute of Secrecy. A fringe movement calling itself Fresh Air Refreshes Totally (F.A.R.T.)* insists that Muggle trousers 'stem the magical flow at source' and insist on wearing robes in public, in spite of repeated warnings and fines.** More unusually, wizards deliberately adopt laughable Muggle confections, such as a crinoline worn with a sombrero and football boots.***

By and large, wizard clothing has remained outside of fashion, although small alterations have been made to such garments as dress robes. Standard wizard clothing comprises plain robes, worn with or without the traditional pointed hat, and will always be worn on such formal occasions as christenings, weddings and funerals. Women's dresses tend to be long. Wizard clothing might be said to be frozen in time, harking back to the seventeenth century, when they went into hiding. Their nostalgic adherence to this old-fashioned form of dress may be seen as a clinging to old ways and old times; a matter of cultural pride.

Day to day, however, even those who detest Muggles wear a version of Muggle clothing, which is undeniably practical compared with robes. Anti-Muggles will often attempt to demonstrate their superiority by adopting a deliberately flamboyant, out-of-date or dandyish style in public.

* President Archie Aymslowe
** To date, they appear to have been taken as cult members by Muggles.
*** These are generally taken by Muggles to be students on a dare.

Link to the audio edition of this blog post: Link to the Audio File

Diagon Alley on Pottermore

This is it. The chapter that will transform your Pottermore experience; the one chapter that will provide the kind of interactivity that everyone dreamed.

Of course, this week's post will dive into the fifth chapter entitled Diagon Alley. After Harry found out he was a wizard and read his letter, he needed to start shopping for his school supplies. But where can you find cauldrons, Owls, and flying broomsticks in one place? Diagon Alley, of course.

The opening quote details Harry's question about finding all of these wizarding supplies, reprinted below.

‘Can we buy all this in London?’ Harry wondered aloud. ‘If yeh know where to go,’ said Hagrid.

Starting on this chapter, you are propelled into Diagon Alley, with many witches and wizards going about their shopping. The quote for this moment details Harry's entrance into the most popular wizarding's shopping district, reprinted below.

The brick he had touched quivered – it wriggled – in the middle, a small hole appeared – it grew wider and wider – a second later they were facing an archway large enough even for Hagrid, an archway on to a cobbled street which twisted and turned out of sight.

Perfectly placed near the Madam Malkin's clothing store, you can unlock the clothing essay from Mrs. Rowling. I will, of course, reprint it on my blog tomorromow, as a special treat.

Of course, before you can buy anything, you need some money. And in wizarding culture, the method of monetary exchange is Galleons, Sickles, and Knuts, which are all available in Gringotts. The quote for this moment details the entrance into Gringotts, reprinted below.

A pair of goblins bowed them through the silver doors and they were in a vast marble hall.

Once your in Gringotts, you just have to drag the key to unlock your vault, with 500 Galleons already inside. That should be plenty of money to buy your supplies. If your wondering the difference between Galleons, Sickles, and Knuts, Hagrid will tell you.

The gold ones are Galleons... Seventeen silver Sickles to a Galleon and twenty-nine Knuts to a Sickle, it's easy enough.

On the next moment, you will go shopping, using the standard, first year Hogwarts list as your guide. It certainly got me geeking out, reading all the summaries of the books, cauldrons, and pets. It was probably the most fun I have had shopping in a while.

Once your finished getting all of your books, incredients, glass phials, brass scales, and your chosen pet, you are ready for your very own wand. And at this point I will write about receiving your wand on Pottermore next week. It's a fantastic process that deserves its own blog post. Until next time, take care!

Link to the audio edition of this blog post: Link to the Audio File

Kiara's Jar of Hearts Cover

Four days ago, I filmed my girlfriend, Kiara, singing Christina Perri's Jar of Hearts song. I thought she was wonderful, but of course, I have a major bias. Comment below with your thoughts.

Link to the audio edition of this blog post: Link to the Audio File