Witches and Wizards Costumes

The classic looks

The storybook witch wears a tall pointed hat, a dark dress or robe and, often, a broom. Some are wicked, some are kind, and some are just untidy. The wizard has a long robe, a pointed or floppy hat, a beard and a staff or wand.

Across storybooks and fairy tales

• Fairy tale witches, such as the ones in Hansel and Gretel or Sleeping Beauty, tend to be hooded, hunched and dressed in dark colours.
• Picture book witches are often friendlier, with stripy tights, mismatched clothes and a cat.
• Story wizards, such as Merlin or Gandalf, are usually old and wise, with a long beard, a grey or blue robe and a staff.
• School-of-magic characters mix the two: robes, a scarf, round glasses and a wand.

What makes each one recognisable

Colour and shape matter most. Black and purple say witch. Grey, blue or starry robes say wizard. Then pick one prop that belongs to the character, such as a broom, a cauldron, a staff or a spellbook.

Easy finishing touches

• A cat, toy or real-looking, sitting on a shoulder or in a bag.
• A long beard, made from cotton wool or bought.
• Stripy or patterned tights and boots.
• A cloak or scarf in the right colours.
• Face paint for a green witch. Do a small skin test first.

Children or adults

For children, choose comfort first. Check that hems are not too long to trip over, hats stay on and props are soft or light. Look at the label for the age range and any care advice.

For adults, the same looks work well. Robes and cloaks suit most sizes, and a good hat and one strong prop can be enough for a party or a school event.