Thursday, March 8, 2007

On the Subject of Wizard Fashions...

As a follow-up to Janet's earlier post on wizard wear I ask you, where are the hats? I forgot the kids were expected to have hats, until re-reading SS and noticing it on Harry's school supply list. J.K. mentions the professors, too, wearing hats in these first two books, but we never see anyone wearing hats in the film (McGonagall is the only I remember wearing the tall, pointed, black hat described in the books; I've not re-watched either of these films, though, so I could be wrong here). Will we see more about hats in the next four books (I can't remember!) and why did the movie versions leave them out? Is tall, pointy headgear only cool in the book wizarding world, but not the muggle film world ;-)?

6 comments:

lostarts said...

I remember seeing lots of hats in the movies. Dumbledor seems to always have one, although Snape and Hagrid never seem to.

After being sorted, at the first feast, all the kids are wearing brimless pointed hats.

I've seen a good hat pattern somewhere. I think it was in a book my Vicky Howell for kids projects, but I'd have to look around and find it.

Anyway, the basic hat is knit and then felted in the washing machine. Then you needle-felt stars, moons, etc onto it.

That's a good idea for a next project. I was wondering what I was going to do after I finished the hat tonight or tomorrow.

Treesh said...

I thought I read somewhere that McGonagall was wearing a top hat. So I envisioned a hat with a flat top, not a pointy topped one.

I'm going to have to dig out Sorcerer's Stone again to look that up (or maybe I'm just imagining things - not an unusual thing for me to do).

Birdwell said...

After the first film only one that wore a wizard hat was McGonagall. Even Dumbledore (Gambon incarnation) wears a pill box hat...huh? I know in the first movie Flitwick wore a hat as well.

I can only wonder that "everyone" attached to the films thought wizard hats looked dumb, which is totally ridiculous.

Little Fire said...

I got the impression that hats were only for more formal occasions in the books, the sorting ceremony, Christmas dinner, etc., which would explain why they only wear the mat certain times in the films. For the yule ball lots of people are. Hagrid never does since he's part giant and kinda crazy looking anyway. I have always loved Dumbledore's headgear and even Snape pulls one out now and then. I suppose it's down to making things look casual so that even if they are wearing a hat it seems normal in their society and doesn't stand out as different...'cause it isn't to them :) like 'forgetting' your blazer or tie for school (translation: didn't wanna wear it!), brings some variety and 'reality' to the school life.

ooohh and in The Three Broomsticks everyone is wearing hats, so maybe they're just more lax at school.

Miss Scarlett said...

I was thinking that the hats were for occasions too - but now I don't remember anyone wearing hats at the GOF dinner...well, Dumbledore and Igor, and those flitty girls from Beaux Batons...Good question you raised - you've got us thinking!

aksunflour said...

In Sorceror's Stone- Quirrel wears a turban and Madame Hootch wears a cool aviators hat/ helmet. The infermary nurse wears a cool double pointed hat.