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Black Trash Bag Witch Costume

October 18th, 2010

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To start, you’ll need 10 black garbage bags with drawstrings like black shoelaces or black rope or black ribbon for the witch dress. Items from the hardware store or drugstore like the painter’s tape and electrical tape shown above can be suitable. Shiny black electrical tape can be used just for trimming a black shirt or sweater to look like Halloween, but other tape can be fun too, especially if the colors are orange and black (see image).

The type of tape available at the hardware store can be extremely festive and help anyone get into the Halloween “spirit”. A orange and black polka dot ribbon worn in the hair or tied around an arm can be “cool” enough for a party when someone doesn’t feel like dressing up. Some people even create witch dress costumes by twisting the black trash bags into ropes or braiding them into belts. This way the bags can be re-used as real trash bags.

But a black trash bag witch dress costume is not meant to be worn next to skin. I recommend using a green turtleneck or t-shirt under the witch dress garbage bag costume to separate skin from plastic. Green leggings or tights can also serve this purpose and prevent unnecessary exposure from ripped or torn garbage bag fringe. Wear horizontal striped tights like from the Wizard of Oz or a dark slip beneath the witch skirt. Colder Trick or Treat areas will have more need for layers like this.

Many Halloween costume makers, such as Martha Stewart, have a quick and cheap way to make a witch dress costume out of black plastic trash bags. Care must be taken that the most fireproof bags possible should be used. Materials used in packaged childrens’ Halloween costumes are limited by federal standards for fireproof fabrics and finishes.

Using a dollar store box of black trash bags to make a costume is indeed economical. But these materials were not designed to be worn next to skin and should be tested for allergic reaction against a child’s skin before Halloween night. Even thrift store green clothing purchased for one night of wear under the black plastic is better than extended direct contact with skin.

For the witch dress bodice, trim the seam closure off the bottom of one bag and turn it inside out. This makes the witch dress from the shoulders and armhole to the neck and waist. Reinforce neckline area in a “collar’ formation using black matte painter’s tape. This tape has a matte finish and a narrow band effect. Striping the skirt with the tape can make a slinky looking shiny effect.

Use one black trash bag each for the sleeves. Trim the straight hem or sleeves of a black witch dress costume, use shiny plastic PVC electrical tape. This tape also looks good on hats and can reinforce a staff or broom carry handle.

Make armholes by separating likely edges of the bag sides and cutting or tearing them open. Lay each bag flat, working from one folded side and the bottom edge corner. About seven inches for an adult, 5 inches for a child should do it. For sleeves, cut the bottom of the trash bag the length of this “sleeve” measurement from either corner edge. Open mouth of bag is the sleeve cuff, cut sleeve diameter will attach to the main trunk bag section.

Duct tape sleeves to main bag. Match sleeve bag corners to sleeve areas of main trunk section bag. Close undersides of jointures of sleeves to trunk bag sections, using duct tape to fasten both sections inside out.You can use pins to work section by section. Leave a small section unfastened for armhole ventilation.

Use seven inch strips of tape as there will be curvatures. Overlap edge until seam is fastened all the sleeve around. Turn “garment” inside out. Use black matte tape or shiny tape on outside facing of the sleeve seams to cover duct tape showthrough and create a trim.

Skirt How-To
Cut off bottoms of 1 extra large black trash bag. Drawstring type helps. Lay bags on floor. Any extra large trash bag should cover a child or adult with room to spare, leaving the drawstring to serve as a waistline gathered belt. Cut off the bottom of the bag one inch, rending the trash bag now a step-in skirt. Fringe the bottom with vertical slits to make it look wispy.

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Tags: bags, black. plastic, garbage, tape

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September 15th, 2010

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If you have a chance grab the Disney Store Halloween Craft book at bookstores and drugstores now. Full of the cutest crafts and some of them are using recycling items. There is a witch slammed against a tree you can build, and many cute party foods like brain (frosting) cupcakes and icky zomby fingers (string cheese sticks with green pepper “fingernails”). The picture shows flour dough ghosts and paper bags twisted into the shape of trees.

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September 12th, 2010

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Don’t forget to get your makeup ahead of time, and get enough makeup and plan ahead for time with it to experiment. Have fun seeing how creepy, scary or weird you can look. Ask parents or siblings for advice with how you’ll wear it on the big night. Take notes on how you apply it, you’ll want to remember the best way later!

Is makeup too garish? With a stark black costume, makeup and effects will really stand out. If you feel shy about wearing witch makeup, blot with baby powder. Try makeup “rehearsals” with the costume on. Take pictures along the way. You’ll see how rubbed down makeup looks faded with the costume on.

Not sure about wearing full witch makeup? Even a forehead “wound” with red blood or both eyelids painted with solid eyeshadow will be enough drama for the big night. Draw an outline to blood “stains” with lip liner. Heavy black eyebrows can be drawn in. Gold or silver hoop earrings work too.

No money for makeup? Try this:

Homemade Witch Dress Halloween Makeup:

Ingredients:

* Popsicle sticks or coffee stirrers(or plastic forks)
* Few small sprinkles of baby powder
* 2 Tbsp cornstarch
* 1 Tbsp solid shortening Crisco/baby oil)
* 1 Red /1 Yellow or 1 Blue or 2 Green food color drops

This paste can be thinned out with mineral oil (baby oil) if it gets gloppy. Some recipes suggest using Crisco, which is fine unless you have sensitive skin. Corn syrup and peanut butter can be used but these attract flies and ants, too much bother and not recommended.

Note: Glue should be used for prosthetics only, it blocks pores and skin aspiration when it dries and can be toxic to skin. Fake noses and chins might held on with elastic, too. Never use glue or any product other than mascara near eyes. Don’t use kitchen items that look like the right color, ask an adult first.

Prosthetics/Effects

For grisly vampire-type witches, red “blood” may be dripping from mouth, etc. Oatmeal mixed with red food coloring makes zombie witch gore that can be papier mache’d to the face in layers. Use glue in corresponding areas between fake noses and chins, and natural cornstarch mixture on skin.

An EYEPATCH makes an excellent witch dress-up accessory. You can make one by taping black felt and gluing it onto a black ribbon, or taking a piece of black elastic and sewing or stapling it to make a headband. Cover with velcro or use a velcro fastener to close the elastic strap. If the eyepatch band elastic is long enough, you can tie it in the back and hide it under long hair.

Witch makeup from stores can be sheer and sparkly, like a lip gloss or liquid blush, or deep toned makeup like the green or blue skin makeup from movies.

For a sheer ace makeup, use a lip gloss with extra glitter added on forehead, cheeks and chin if no solid color witch makeup is desired. Use a gray eyeliner to draw “wrinkled” on forehead, nose, chin and from corner of nostrils to end of mouth. Blend each line equally into makeup.

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Tags: baby oil, baby powder, blue, cornstarch, dress, dress up, eyepatch, glue, green, makeup, prosthetics, witch

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August 18th, 2010

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Costume dressing for your All Hallows Eve day this year can take a turn for the dramatic. Flashy new costumes are great but creativity matters as well. Sometimes just the right costume accessory makes an entire costume. Thrift shops have been the mainstay of vintage dresses everywhere, and witches are extremely “vintage” when it comes to style.

Reclaimed and re-using items and well as recycled costumes make for a green Halloween. Black overblouses and tops, straight skirts and long sleeved tops can be recycled. These are very conventional items of clothing that can be found in every size, texture, fabric and color. Cloaks, capes and fur items also can blend into a stylish witch costume.

Evening clothes for women usually follow a classic lines. Check the formals area of any thrift shop you visit for cast off formal dresses in a solid color. These will dye black easiest. Dressy clothes usually come in black and white. These classic styles can be excellent witch costume material. Many people throw away such items having almost never worn them at all. Shop earliest before Halloween for best selection.

Black is a classic touch for a lot of ornamentation and embroidery. Victorian dresses will be vintage black if authentic. Beads, sequins and ribbons can dress a hat or belt to make a flashy but exciting witch dress costume. The main point is to fuel the green reclamation movement in clothing and retail clothing portals.

Thrift shops are usually found in more modest areas of metropolitan and suburban areas. Where rents are lower, more modest income stores can take root. The donation to a thrift shop can come from local charity drives, direct donation, or by consignment. And parts of another costume or outfit can be adapted or reconstructed to make a witch dress.

Drawing parts of a witch dress costume from other costumes is easy. A false wig, a black dress or vintage costume style dress, extreme makeup in a garish color like orange or green or blue, and some kind of gnarled oaken staff or gleaming black wand can give the impression of a crafty character! By experimenting with hairstyles the witch costume can come together.

Simple A-line cut skirts and princess line bodices work best for witch dresses. If a dress is really ugly, look at the material. Can it be dyed black? How will the fabric look dyed black? Cottons and silks are best for dying. Black has a sheen when synthetic or natural fibers catch the light. If the dress fits and is eays to walk in, it’s the perfect start of a witch dress costume you can accessorize for added visual excitement.

Snazzy belts, crystal necklaces, high hats, “pilgrim” style shoes or hats, pagan symbol jewelry, and any kind of cat motif really sells the concept of witch dressing. Frogs and snakes also can work well. Anything black can be dressed up or trimmed. Look for a notions area and look for silver studs of buttons to decorate a hat. Gluing or sewing on buttons can make a black hat really stand out. Happy Hunting!

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August 7th, 2010

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The access to a witch costume suitable for every age isn’t easy. Some witch costumes are created with ribbons for a skirt or flimsy blouse material that is not appropriate for the children most likely to be trick or treating. Some witch dress ideas are fairly suitable for juveniles but don’t translate as well to an adult costume. A witch dress can be fun, unique, and a creative project that brings satisfaction and achievement.

Researching the witch dress costume can benefit from reviewing galleries online where posted images of costumes past reflect the creativity of others. New ideas can spring forth just by seeing what colors and fabrics other witch dressers have used. Here are some hints and ten point checklist to get your witch dress planning ready for Halloween.

A proper witch dress should have long flowing sleeves or at least sleeves graduated to a wider sleeve at the tip. The material of the top or shirt could be velvet or velveteen, velour or panne velvet to show off a shimmer and contrast with other textures. Long vertical ribbons hanging down in any black material are appropriate.

1. Head Covering/Hat

Some people just don’t like wearing hats. The hat should fit the head, not just be a one size fits all attempt. Ties under the chin or behind the head can secure a loose hat. The crown of the head should be covered. An upturned brim instead of a flat brim might work better for night trick or treating. If the hat is worn with a wig, make sure one doesn’t cause the other to come loose. Many indoor parties and costume processions happen when the weather is warm and the hat may become uncomfortable.

Hair under a hat can be attached using ribbon or gnarled fabrics that has been twisted, like rope. red or even magenta colored hair works for witches because the emphasis is on the unnatural features a witch would have. The hat shape does not have to be extreme but the tip should center over the head and neck in proportion to the brim.

A curved brim or slanted witch hat can show off witchy eyeshadow and bangs of fake color hair. Make sure the fabric is lightweight and breathable, or perspiration will cause makeup to run. Cat ears on a headband can be a simple solution.

2. Wig/Hairstyle

Hair design for a witch costume can be self styled real hair or a wig. Either way, hair should not get caught in anything mechanized or any motorized prop. Accidents can occur when dressed up Halloween trick-or-treaters stumble around in the dark with hair blocking their way. Consider upswept hair or a hairstyle (even with a wig) that keep peripheral vision clear.

If the wig is not too long, it can be attached or braided with real hair at the crown for securement.With hair drawn out of the collar and shoulders, more accessories should be visible. The full costume should be donned and experimented with for walking and ease of wear. Orange ribbon or a metal buckle on the black hat makes a classic Halloween look.

3. Witch Blouse, Shirt, Tunic or Overblouse.

The original witch costumes in the imagination of everyone hark form the Salem witch trials era. Conservative clothing for women was the rule. These types of black dresses for witch costumes should be the model. A dressy top of black velvet or shiny satin worn for evening wear can deputize for a witch dress costume shirt or blouse.

The laced-up bodice from medieval costumes can be very dramatic and visually effective. The witch blouse can be black but magenta, rich blue, dark green or ochre yellow can also be considered witchy. “Dirty” dyed lace trim or ribbons appropriate to the period can work for the overall effect. Fur trim on the sleeve cuffs, neckline or surplice can be an impressive touch that adds texture.

Pattern: ghoulskool.com/costumes

4. Witch dress Skirt, long or abbreviated.

Witch dress skirts can be short and easy to walk in but cold. Long witch dress skirts can be harder to walk in without practice, but more aligning to the classic witch image. See article here.

Pattern: ghoulskool.com/costumes

5. Broom, Wand, or Staff

A real broom looks sort of dirty, and a wand can stick people in the eye. A staff is held by one hand and can be helpful in walking the trick or treat route. If performing a routine , reciting a spell or doing a party piece, decide which prop works for you best.

A broom is very theatrical but may be heavy to carry or tiring to have all night. A wand can be effective, but it can be hard to carry without dropping it, poking someone else, or becoming cumbersome. Test out your props with the whole costume before the big trick or treat night.

6. Finger Rings and Necklace; Jewelry

Witch dress costumes don’t require excessive amounts of skull or skeleton jewelry, even one glimmering gem or a stone of unusual cut or color can be a convincing hand effect. Necklace jewelry should stay in place and be seen, not hidden by hair or scarves.

Arm rings can look pagan but good with sleeveless witch dress tops. Cat rings, bat rings, spider rings and moon or stars on a ring can be suitable. Silver is a good color against black, silver has ancient pagan roots and Druidic uses and Wiccan properties.

7. Wrist adornments, wrappings, cuffs, and bracelets.

The hands and wrists are some of the most visible parts of the body during any activity or motion. Short sleeves demand wrist wraps and may be more trick or treat friendly than flowing robe sleeves. No sew options include wraps, velcro, tapes and ties. Simple black or white fabric with ribbons tied around and around can look Gothic and theatrical with the rest of a wizard or witch dress costume.

Practice casting “spells” and see how the wrist wraps jump out at the audience/viewer. A staff or wand really makes the gesture believable. Tying charms into the knots or sewing them on the wraps make a mystic look for more authentic Wiccan effects.

8. Face Makeup, Eyeshadow, Powder

Wearing makeup is different than just intending to have face paint on for hours. Green makeup, tinted makeup, a lot of eyeshadow of a new brand should be tested on the skin in full application before Halloween night or the big party. Chemicals, dryness, and powdery residue may form and run down the neck or into the hair. Working the hair into the makeup will take work and a plan of attack. Lightening the base or making the consistency easier to apply with more moisturizer should be perfected before Halloween night.

Walking and gathering treats, dancing and eating will cause changes in body oils. Makeup should be sweatproof and breathable. Gluing on warts, false chins, false noses and waggly eyebrows takes practice. Adhesive shouldn’t burn or crumble away. Don’t wait until ten minutes before leaving to find out you have a rash on your face or under your makeup (where it can’t be seen).

The wearing of green face makeup, warts and moles are appropriate but blue face makeup or even orange can work well. As long as the glaring effect contrasts sharply and does not look like natural “human” skin the witch effect is in effect. Commercial Halloween makeup might be the best option for skin friendly Halloween wear. Hypo-allergenic makeup from the drugstore in an “orange” shade can work fine for sensitive skin.

9. Waist/Belt

Any black belt will work to connect a witch dress blouse or shirt and the witch skirt. But a rope belt can have long extensions to keep the witch’s “props” handy. If the cords have knotted bones, gems, talismans, charms, or keys, the effect of the witch dress is more theatrical.

A witch dress can have a buckle that matches the hat riband. A long skirt can be more “sorceress” looking with an elaborate belt buckle or metallic clasp. A braided set of scarves or dyed black rope can be very convincing as witches may be too busy doing spells to go shopping.

10. Leggings/Boots/Shoes
If the witch dress costume you buy or make has a flimsy skirt or a fringe effect, brightly colored tights or leggings are appropriate. Think of the red and white striped hose in the “Wizard of Oz” on the Wicked Witch of the East as she lay dead under Dorothy’s house. This is an immediate visual reference to the witch lexicon as almost every human being on the planet has seen that movie at least once.

Any color tights like red or green or blue in a strong color and contrast to the black skirt and boots is appropriate. If the witch dress costume is light weight and the weather will be cold, use the opportunity to wear leggings to keep warm. Black suede or velvet or leather boots or bootie work for any witch costume. if the witch dress costume veers toward a glamour look or a fairy witch look, a shorter skirt can show off lace up boots .

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Tags: black, costume, dress, hair, hat, makeup, skirt, staff, wand, wig, witch

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August 3rd, 2010

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Hocus Pocus centers around three batty witches deliriously played by Bette Midler, Kathy Najimy and Sarah Jessica Parker. try to outwit a local bunch of kids. the delightful detail of their costumes show three different ways to take the witch costume as a dress up enterprise. SJP wears a simple dress and Najimy wears a period costume. Midler outshines them all in a diva ensemble. Silvery and gold themed embroidery makes a lot of simple witch dress lines.

A high collar, medieval lines to a dress, and flowing hair sell the look. Many witch dresses have lines from fashion plates of 1500′s and 1600′s, when witches were conceived of in religious totems and persecuted in American new England in the Salem Witch Trials. Vampire looks cross pollinate well with witch dress costumes. Any halfway finished witch dress outfit will be completed by a pair of vampire fangs and some dripping fake blood from the corners of the mouth.

Kathy Najimy and Bette Midler in “Hocus Pocus” have qualified “witch hair”, elaborate do’s overdone and pulled out for effect. Costume dresses from the Disney pantheon of witch costumes are cleverly made to suit each actress. The kinds of props in their gingerbread cottage are spiderwebs, bones, a cauldron, wands, broomsticks and capes. A grimoire, candles and a black cat complete the tableaux.

In “the Witches of Eastwick“, Cher, Susan Sarandon and Michelle Pfeiffer drab up as Eastern housewives in the preppy tradition and witch up looking like their Oscar night counterparts. The everyday clothes they wear in the bleached out sun contrast with the jewel tones, “beatnik” jewelry and glamorous hair extensions that make their witches costumes work. The Daryl Van Horne character is shown to bring out their “witchy” sides.

The repression evident in the Eastwick women’s clothing transforms into rampant femininity in the movie version of the witch costume. This sexy update travels forward to the “Wicked” books, where modern takes on the classic witch tropes allow some glamorizing for the show business factor of the Broadway show. This book builds and examines the legend of the Wizard of Oz witches.

The Wizard of Oz is perhaps the most unifying witch experience in celluloid. The ugly green skinned Wicked Witch of the West, with her pointy hat and black witch dress, contrasts against the pink and iridescent classic loveliness of Billie Burke as Glinda the Good, complete with pink ruffles, crystal wand, and diamond headdress. The black and white (or red and white) striped tights make excellent witch wear.

The TV show “Charmed” goes out of its way to present the three and sometimes four witches as modern day young women without “witchy” dressing up. The hints they sue are all in the language of the dialogue. Demons, charms the spell book and the chanting and curses play throughout the action. The classic hark-back television witch source is of course, “Bewitched”. The nose twitching will definitely sell the concept.

Witch costumes tend to be very simplified because the origins may be from cartoons. In the film, “Enchanted” the story starts out as a cartoon and mixes celluloid with animation until the end. Susan Sarandon is delightfully witchy. Note the limited use of medium blue and some purple. the arch-gothic diadem or crown is an affectation of glamourous witch designs. A distinctive charm design can be used the jewelry to extend the kook.

Witches can be seductive (in an acceptable age range), comic, or ‘evil” looking. The Wiccan standard tends toward a more organic flavor of witchy practice. The glamour witch then, wears a strapless or low cut formal dress with glamour tiara, formal upswept hair, dramatized makeup with extreme eyeshadow or eyeliner, and black gloves. Diamond or silver rings on the black gloves may be used to good effect.

Comic witches have warts, extended noses and chins, ugly moles and look awful. it’s hard for girls to really enjoy looking ugly when they could be dressing up as a princess, so this kind of costume can be fun once, then put aside. Really scary looking witches look more alarming than fun, hence the emphasis on camp humor and style reaching to the fairy tale archetypes.

In the teen witch drama “The Craft“, four young women adopt the lifestyle of the witch and before they know it become actual witches. This film features a very Gothic looking witch. Their mismatched, polyglot clothing converges into a smooth mix of hot seductive young witchy black with lots of gothic touches. This isn’t for everyone. Fairuza Balk does a good job of appearing as a witch in ordinary teenager clothing. Lots of cavernous eye shadow and stark blue black lipstick create the witch effect.

The witch props for the witch dress costume then present some choices. Carrying a wand and a staff won’t work. Getting sloppy messy straggly hair with glamour crowns won;t go together either. The glamour witch looks like an alluring sorceress, ands the tatters and spiderwebs won’t work. Velvet or purple elbow length gloves, an off the shoulder dress with a collared cape and black boots makes a good witch dress costume.

Good strategies for witch dress up then are a green ribbon for a black hat, green streaks in black hair, green and/or purple eyeshadow, a moon tattoo on the forehead or cheek or neck, and silver jewelry on fingers and a belt with keys or pouch make a great witch dress costume. A grandiose cape and a staff with a green crystal on it really finish the look and make an excellent witch costume.

The black witch dress is thus the building block of any witch costume. A plain jewel neckline, a V-neck, or even an empire neckline can work. Using one color with black, like green, purple, silver or medium blue can have an enormous effect. Red is not really effective in a witch costume except for lipstick colors. Magenta purple or pink in very limited amounts makes a stunning accent color.

Since most fairy tales have a witch, most fairy tale dresses can be modulated to become witch dresses. A simple graduation or prom dress can be the start of a great witch costume. Even the material from black graduation “gowns” can be used for hat coverings or to make capes. Dying any natural fiber dress black makes a start. Acetates and rayons can be harder to take the dye.

Keep watching the movies for great ideas about witch dresses.

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Tags: black, dress, dress up, halloween, hocus pocus, sewing, the craft, wicked, witches of eastwick, wizard of oz

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August 1st, 2010

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The most crafty thing about a witch dress costume is that most of the key props and accessories can be borrowed or sourced for the party, dress-up contest, or Halloween event. Start thinking of likely friends and relatives to borrow things from and get them together ahead of time. These ten hints will make your Halloween dress up costume or witch dress effort shine.

1. Tatters

Tatters are important in witch costumes. Witch costumes are supposed to be worn by women who don’t really have laundry on their minds. If they need to appear beautiful and alluring they do a spell called a glamour and appear as pretty and well dressed as they like. Part of the fearsome and “scary” image of the witch carried in popular culture is due to extremes of dirt, decay and decrepitude in the witch dress.

Rips and tears along the edges of a cape or overdress really sell the witch dress concept, but they need a contrast to make them show up. This can be done by using another layer, especially if the sleeves, cape, or overskirt and underskirt are both black fabric but one of them is shiny or wispy and contrasts texture in the light. Ribbon trim on hoods and capes really makes the glamorous witch looks work too.

2. Black

Fashion rules are witchy. You can’t wear too much black as a witch. Every added piece of material, every added accessory or necklace can help. Each added piece shows more black and give more detail. The contrast with silver jewelry is extremely impactful. Gray blacks and silver blacks and inky blacks and shiny blacks all work. Nothing black cannot be used in a witch dress costume. Wrist wraps, head scarves, hats, hoods, and capes in any shade of black just add visual flair.

3. Sayings

Magical incantations like “Abracadabra” and “See here, my pretty’ go a long way. Dressing up like a witch is more fun when you have something to do or say. Having special spell words and memorized vocabulary can be good when costume dress up prizes are at stake. Anything with carving or symbols can look like a magic object or spell enhancer.

Magical or witch lifestyle remarks help deliver the impression of a witch. Children and partygoers can be entertained by your “legend”. If desired, memorize, copy down or print out a party piece. Grimaces and contortions of the face, with extreme white makeup with black or blue lips makes this really convincing.

4. Evil Cackle

While not technically part of the witch dress costume, an evil and high pitched cackle is an excellent prop to support a witch dress up effort. Practice shouting “eeeeee-heee-heeeee-heee-heeee” in an annoying screech. Hand gestures (and an evil glare) waved to weave a “spell” can help. Only someone wearing a witch dress should be making these sounds.

5. Witchy Hair

Witchy hair is black, black and white, or white gray. The style is anything long and slightly to extremely unkempt looking. The uglier the style, the more convincing the witch costume. Wigs of red or purple are appropriate. Long straggly hair, flowing despite poor condition, and even upswept shiny poufs, or white “skunk” stripes in the middle of black hair can make a so-so costume leap to life. (So to speak).

6. Animal Props

Jewelry, stuffed animals, or props winding along the arms, fingers and neck can serve as specifically witchy costume props. A snake wound around the arm, a bat hanging in the hair or over the shoulder, (or from a belt) can really sell the witch look.

Witches hang around pretty old places, and dirty ones too like graveyards, haunted houses, and caverns. Spiders and spiderwebs should be in good evidence. Skull rings, bone pouches, a fake black cat, and some spiderwebs can really make a witch dress a convincing witch costume.

7. Fashion Evils

The rules of fashion are reversed when it comes to witches. Witch dresses can be very plain cut simple garments, but accessories like bone necklaces, silver skull rings, a gnarled staff and tattered cape can really finish the look. Witch dress costumes don’t have to be made of new material because they are meant to look centuries old. For visual interest, beaded wrist wraps and jewelry pagan symbols can be used as trim.

8. Tattoos

Temporary tattoos can work miracles when used with restraint. Open witch dress sleeves can show a faint brown or black (or purple) design that does not have to be Satanic or “evil”. use the Druid or Celtic clipart designs or online tattoo transfer imprints as guides. Choosing a tattoo can be one of the most enjoyable parts of the witch dress up process.

No extra materials are actually required. Ink pens with a little liquid adhesive (notoxic) or thinned glue mixed in will keep the tattoo strong during busy treat gathering sessions. Even a cat or moon would look good, even on the face! Simply wash off when done.

9. Nonblack Clothing Options

If for some reason you can’t dye material black, get a garment together in black or can’t mess around with dye, there is help. Oversized cloaklike robes from a parent or older sibling can serve the purpose as well. Hooded bathrobes without belt loops and beige or white material (gray is best) can make a feasible wizard, sorceress or witch costume.

Gray is a good color for basic “robes” as well, and some witch dress costumes may look better with angled sleeves or chopped and tattered hems. Purple capes or cloaks, brown or beige boots, rope belts, and even silver foil covered cardboard to make a belt can help complete the witch dress costume.

10. The Staff

A gnarly wood staff with a gem inset on the end makes the final touch to any witch costume. While a wand certainly does the job, a staff means business. A witch with a staff is to be feared. If you can find an Australian rain stick with the interior shells or seeds removed, that’s perfect. The stick be called a bullroarer, rhombus or turndun. A “broken” one makes an intriguing looking staff.

But any long wood stick with interesting knolls and knots can work. This staff theoretically helps the witch journey on long quests. Look for a wooden branch staff that can be clasped at shoulder level. Sand down sharp edges. Finding a staff for your witch dress costume makes a perfect activity for a nature walk. The optional jewel in the end of the witch staff can be placed there using liquid adhesive or semi-permanent glue.

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Tags: costume, craft, design, dress, hair, halloween, kids, makeup, party, witch

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