'I'm 100% That Witch': Spooky Fashion Icons
Graphic by Angela Cheng. Image via YouTube
The leaves are changing colors. Trader Joe’s is challenging everyone’s ideas on what can and can not be pumpkin flavored. That’s right folks: it is officially spooky szn (also known as midterms szn), and I can’t think of a better way to inaugurate the inevitable onslaught of costumed festivities than a fashion spotlight on my Halloween persona of choice: witches.
See, the cool thing about witches (besides the fact that they have magical capabilities) is the sheer variety in accessorizing, color-coordinating, and mystical memorabilia across the realm of witch movies and TV shows. So, without further ado, here are some noteworthy bad witches (*wink wink*) in honor of the scariest holiday of all.
Charmed: The Halliwell Sisters
Given the current comeback of all things nineties, it should not be a surprise that the Halliwell sisters are at the top of this list of sassy sorceresses. (Oh, and if you thought that that would be the last of my witchcraft puns, you’ve got a big storm a’-coven.)
Image via Paramount Studios.
In this iconic homage to the era of Rachel Greens and Winona Ryders, we follow three sisters, the Halliwells, who have just recently discovered their inheritance of occult capabilities. Chaos ensues, and the dynamic trio set out to solve all the magical mysteries popping up across San Francisco —dressing fantastically along the way. I mean, what screams nineties more than an array of crop tops (seen on Prue and Piper Halliwell, played by Shannen Doherty and Holly Marie Combs) and chokers (seen on Phoebe Halliwell, played by Alissa Milano)?
Harry Potter-verse: Bellatrix Lestrange
But, although I like crop tops and midi skirts as much as the next millennial, even I can’t deny the appeal of classic, evil-but-make-it-fashion witches like the infamous Bellatrix Lestrange. Even if you haven’t seen or read everything from the Potter-verse, chances are you’ve picked up some knowledge from that one friend who coaxed you into taking the Pottermore quiz and are familiar with this bewitching baddie.
This fandom page has more in-depth info if you’re interested, but I would personally categorize Lestrange as what you would expect of a Slytherin-turned-Death-Eater-turned-follower-of-Voldemort: downright insidious. Which conveniently leads me into her equally dark fashion sense.
Image via Wizarding World
Her dark, towering head of curls and black corset combine the whimsy malice of Ursula from The Little Mermaid and svelte, form-fitting fashion of the Evil Witch from Snow White. The all-black is also a nice nod to the classic black hat and tunic ensemble of the witches of yore. The silver accents —most notably her rings and the dagger casually grasped in her left hand —also add to the ‘traditional’ take on witch attire.
Image via Dorkly
Kiki’s Delivery Service: Kiki
Last, but certainly not least, is arguably the most wholesome witch of all time, Kiki. Produced by the always aesthetically pleasing Studio Ghibli, Kiki’s Delivery Service takes audiences along on a journey with 13-year-old Kiki, a young witch-in-training, as she leaves home and starts a witch delivery service in a new city.
Image via Wordpress
Her daily ensemble features a deep-blue tunic and her flying broomstick ( in traditional witch-fashion) which she pairs with a bright red bow and matching red flats. Not only is this outfit incredibly easy to put together — for anyone out there still scrambling for costume ideas — but it also reminds audiences that despite her cool powers, Kiki is still a 13-year-old (badass) kid.
After hacking through books like The Crucible that delve into the sexist and misogynistic history of witch stories, it’s nice to see trick-or-treaters and wholesome cartoons reclaim and reshape my favorite fictional (some argue) character into fashionable, feisty, and—most importantly—empowered individuals.