Still shopping for those uncomfortable fangs, spandex overalls and hairy gloves? Stop. The witches are having their moment in the limelight; dominating popularity charts be it pop culture or Halloween outfits. So, move over Minions, Jacob Black, Harley Quinn and Catwoman…
While pop culture inspired characters are a common go to for costume parties, this year revellers are looking at the famous witches for inspiration. Witch fashion isn’t restricted to conical hats, long crooked noses and plump warts alone. These women maybe scary but they also have an intriguing sense of fashion. There’s the uber chic Fiona Goode from American Horror Story , Sabrina - the teenage witch, Samantha Stephens from Bewitched , the Charmed gang of Piper, Phoebe and Paige , the sassy four from The Craft, The Sanderson sisters from Hocus Pocus… the choices are mind boggling and deciding quite a task. Here’s our pick of five top witches to dress as for your Halloween bash tonight.
Bellatrix Lestrange
If you are of subtle nature give this a miss. You can’t dress like her and not act the part. This Harry Potter baddie is loud, shrill to be precise, demented, anarchic and cheeky. Wand in hand, she bounces like a crazy ball proclaiming her support to Lord Voldemort. For this Death Eater’s costume, a long black skirt, a pair of black boots, and a full sleeved top strategically ripped at the shoulders should work beautifully. A corset on top of the top will only add to the effect. Leave that mane tousled, curl them if you can, smear some chocolate on your teeth, slip into a pair of fishnet stockings. Black, laced-up fingerless gloves work just as well and its so much more convenient shooting selfies with those on. Steer clear of bright lipstick, dab on some black eye shadow under your eyes and along your cheek to give your face the grimy effect. No you most certainly can’t look like you just walked out of a salon; after all you’ve just escaped from Azkaban. And before you step out, do not forget the dark mark tattoo on your forearm.
Ursula
You can still dress up as Ursula if you’re a guy. Didn’t you see Colton Haynes get up for this year’s Halloween? He looks unrecognisable as the sea witch from The Little Mermaid . The look for Disney’s animated character is reportedly derived from drag performer Divine. This part human-part octopus strangely has only six tentacles. Though, originally of a bulky body frame, Ursula recently lost quite a few pounds to make it to the Disney Villains Designer Collection. It’s a set of collectible dolls and the idea is to capture the essence of evil at its best dressed.
Slather on violet/lavender colour on your, wear a white wig, dab on bright blue eye shadow, a layer of thick mascara, blood red lipstick and a large mole near the right lower lip. For the outfit, a deep violet tube dress (black works too) with enough slits to show six tentacles is an easy option. Unless you want to be more creative and cut out cardboards for the same. Accessorise with a shell necklace. And memorise this spell:
Beluga, Sevruga,
Come winds of the Caspian Sea,
Larynxes, glossitis
Et Max Laryngitis
La voce to me
The White Witch
Ah, finally a villainess dressed in the pristine shade of white. Cold, cruel Jadis from The Lion, The Witch and the Wardrobe cast upon Narnia 100 years of winter. For a woman that powerful, one would imagine her to have a better style sense. She most certainly looks like she could do with a good scrub. A pallid face (use a lighter foundation and top it up with powder…don’t forget to paint your neck the same shade), matted hair, a long white and blue gown, and a white oversized ill fitting fur coat — that’s all you’ll need to dress like her. And for that icicle tiara of hers, tie together a bunch of transparent stirrers or candles even, paste them on a chart paper/ cardboard and fix them onto your heads.
Maleficent
Thanks to Angelina Jolie, most people only remember Maleficent’s high cheek bones and plump pout. While there is a debate on if she’s a witch or an evil fairy, we just had to include her in our list.
For the outfit try a long fitted maxi with a black cape thrown over it, preferably one with exaggerated collars. Wear a thick black choker. Grab a long stick as your wand. The dramatic head gear is important — try making one at home or head to the party stores in the city. Use a kaajal to create those arched brows, wear a pair of light green contact lenses and MAC’s True Love Kiss lipstick will give you that glossy red pout. As for the intensive make up, Youtube has plenty on tutorials on getting the look.
Glinda
Who said you only have to get into costumes of evil characters? Glinda the good witch from The Wonderful Wizard of Oz just made it to our list. Agreed, her outfit feels a little dated (we’re sticking to the 1939 version of the film), but come on its Halloween, the one day you can wear anything you want and not be mocked. At the 2014 Oscars, Ellen De Generes ran onto stage dressed like Glinda.
This is fairly simple. A fitted on top and flouncy bottomed gown is what you need. Yes, that’s something most of us haven’t considered ever since our junior school princess-themed birthday party. Blow dry your hair, attach fake eyelashes, stick to a pink palette for the make up — pink eyeshadow, pink blush on and a lustrous pink lipcolour and add some shimmer to your cheekbones.
A tiara or a crown and a matching wand (Pinterest tells you how to make your own or you could buy one), strap on a pair of wings and put on that kind expression — and you’re all set.
