What would realistic wizard armor look like?

Question

I realize this is a somewhat paradoxical question, as wizards are not at all realistic, but hear me out. Ever since Tolkien threw Gandalf and friends into wizard robes, the trope has become enormously widespread; mages and wizards use robes, staves, and occasionally pointy hats.

But, realistically, this outfit would be poor for combat. The use of staves, or wands even, is somewhat understandable because, in the fantasy genre, it is often necessary to channel magic to cast a spell, so please ignore the staff trope for now. However, pointy hats and robes would do little to help in actual combat (I do realize magic has never been used in actual combat as it does not actually exist). Flowing cloth robes, no matter how wizardly, would do little to stop arrows or strikes from a sword, both of which occur with great frequency in LOTR.

So what would a wizard actually wear? If one goes by the assumption that mobility is tantamount to a wizard's survival, leather armor would seem to be the way to go. But, in actuality, plate armor doesn't restrict movement as much as people think it does. In fact, the 25 pounds is so evenly dispersed around the body that flexibility and mobility is hardly impaired in medieval plate.

So, in your opinion, what would a wizard wear to battle? I would guess leather of some type, but I want to hear other's opinions.

Answer 1

The robe and pointy hat actually has it's origins with Odin from norse mythology. While wizards are associated with magic, it used to just refer to a wise man. Robes and pointed hats really was what "wise men" would wear. Hell, even catholic cardinals wear robes and pointed hats.



There is a lot of speculation as to why. Wise men often served as doctors, so it's commonly theorized that the robes and pointed hats were to minimize skin contact.



The fantasy (and in RL mythological reasoning) is that wizards had to wear certain fabrics in order to maintain their connection with nature. Metal armors for example, might disrupt this connection, making it harder to use magic.



So going by that logic, yes a wizard would wear robes into battle. Arrows shouldn't be much of a problem if said wizard could simply put up a force field to divert the arrows.



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So yea, unless your wizard is just so powerful he can still hurl fireballs while wearing armor; then you should have a robe wearing wizard. Or if he's a shaman he might wear leather and fur.



Or you could have a character who is more a physical fighter but can cast magic for utility purposes.



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Another thing to note, is that if this is fantasy and you have people running around with magic weapons; then those extra heavy armors that would be impractical in the real world might actually be useful in the world you are creating.

Answer 2

He would probably wear maille armour or something like a gambeson, a shirt-like thing of multiple layers of linen. Those things were surprisingly effective. Have a look: http://youtu.be/CULmGfvYlso



If I were a wizard I would wear ordinary clothes so that I don't stand out. Except when I'm meeting a king or something. Then I would take out the fancy robe and pointy hat.

Answer 3

I really don't think they would wear armor. It just wouldn't be their nature to do that.

Answer 4

Whatever he could conjure up; after all he IS a wizard.