Attire For Wizards And Judges Crossword Clue

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About This Clue

The April 29, 2025 New York Times Mini Crossword featured the clue "Attire for wizards and judges" with the answer ROBES. This clue asks solvers to identify a common clothing item worn by two seemingly different groups: fictional magic users and real-world legal officials. Despite the disparity between these professions, they share this distinctive garment as part of their traditional attire. This type of crossword clue highlights an interesting cultural connection between fictional representations and formal professional dress.

Cultural Context

Robes have significant cultural and historical importance in both fictional and real-world contexts. In fantasy literature, film, and games, wizards are typically depicted wearing long, flowing robes, often adorned with mystical symbols or distinctive colors that indicate their powers or allegiances. Famous fictional wizards like Merlin, Gandalf from "The Lord of the Rings," Dumbledore from the "Harry Potter" series, and countless others are characterized by their distinctive robes. These garments have become so associated with wizardry that they're instantly recognizable as visual shorthand for magical practitioners. Similarly, in legal systems derived from British traditions, judges wear robes as part of their official attire. These judicial robes originated from academic dress and evolved into symbols of authority, impartiality, and the gravity of legal proceedings. The tradition dates back centuries and continues in many countries today, including the United States, where Supreme Court justices and many other judges wear black robes when presiding over court. The robe serves to depersonalize the judge, emphasizing that they represent the law rather than their individual opinions. This parallel between fictional magical authority and real-world legal authority creates an interesting cultural connection that this crossword clue cleverly highlights.

NYT Mini Crossword Tips

When solving clues like "Attire for wizards and judges" in the NYT Mini Crossword, focus on identifying the common element between two seemingly different categories. The five-letter constraint helps narrow down possible answers significantly. This particular clue follows a common crossword pattern where the answer is something unexpectedly shared by diverse groups or concepts. Other tips for similar clues include considering the most distinctive visual characteristics associated with the subjects mentioned. For wizards and judges, their most recognizable shared feature is their distinctive outer garment. Also, be aware that crossword constructors often use cultural references from both fiction and reality, so familiarity with common tropes in literature, film, and professional dress can be helpful. The format "Attire for X and Y" clearly indicates that the answer will be a type of clothing, which further narrows the possible solutions.

Related Crossword Answers

More Clues & Answers For The New York Times Mini (April 29, 2025)

ACROSS

• 1. The "A" of MoMA
• 4. Like steak tartare and carpaccio
• 5. Attire for wizards and judges
• 7. Warm shade of yellowish-orange
• 8. Most populous country in the Caribbean

DOWN

• 1. Noted features of bakeries and candle shops
• 2. What a magician might pull out of the [circled letters]
• 3. "I tawt I taw a puddy tat!" speaker
• 5. "Go team!"