Your favorite movie villain, hero, protagonist or antagonist can probably be summed up as some form of witch. Whether it’s Wanda, also known as Scarlet Witch, from The Avengers films, Glinda the Good Witch from The Wizard of Oz, Hermione, who needs no qualifier or Ursula the wicked sea witch from The Little Mermaid, the plethora of magical enchantresses on the big screen and little screen leave so many options for you to pull together an epic witch costume this Halloween.
The best part about witches is that they’re super versatile and make for an easy look you can throw together at the last minute. You can opt for a classic, storybook version of a witch with gruesome makeup, giving yourself believable whiskers, wrinkles and a wart. Or maybe you’ll want to take a page from Hocus Pocus and go for a group costume that is simple to DIY. If you happen to be looking for witch costume ideas that will also work well for men, try to recreate the tailored getup that witch doctor Dr. Facilier sports in The Princess and The Frog.
We have options that will work for babies and toddlers as well as teens and adults. You’ll also find inspiration for scary costumes like our wicked witch, as well as more pleasant sorceresses like Kiki the Witch. No matter if you’re hoping to create an outfit that looks like it walked straight out of Salem or prefer to embody one of Disney’s bewitching characters, you’re sure to be impressed by the range of options you see below.
1. DIY Classic Witch Costume
This one's practically effortless and perfect if you're looking for something to wear in a pinch. You probably already have a go-to black dress in your closet, but if you're looking for something a little more Halloween-ish, you can upgrade to one more magical. The tights, hat and broom will pull your homemade witch costume together.
2. DIY Glinda the Good Witch Costume
While you can purchase a full Glinda costume set, it's possible to make your own puffy skirt using an elastic, tulle and the no-sew technique. When you're done tying enough tulle to make a skirt that wraps around your waist, slide the skirt over a pink bodysuit or gown. For the crown, measure glitter scrapbook paper around your head decorate it with rhinestone gems.
3. DIY Agatha Harkness Costume
Wanda's friend-turned-foe is has the perfect getup for a DIY witch costume. Though Agatha may not have the traditional broomstick and wand, she doesn't shy away from casting a spell. You can pull off her look by recreating her long tresses and signature cloak.
4. DIY Elphaba Thropp Costume
Sure, you can always dress up in Elphaba's classic Wicked Witch of the West getup (see below), complete with pointy black hat, but if you want to show that you're a true fan of the musical Wicked, try dressing up in Elphaba's Shiz University uniform — you probably have everything you need to create this costume already in your closet. Just add green face paint.
What You'll Need for Elphaba Costume
5. DIY Scary Witch or Wicked Witch Costume
If you're more of the type to go all out and look evil and spooky instead of cute and trendy on Halloween night, try this scary green witch costume. Just apply some green face paint, and nose and chin prosthetics that you stick on with latex glue.
6. DIY Toddler Witch Costume
You can't go wrong with classic purple and black look if your little one asks to be a witch this year. Make sure to get them a spider webbed witch's hat headband and matching tights to bring the outfit together.
7. DIY Scarlet Witch a.k.a Wanda Costume
Clearly, not all witches need to wear all-black or a pointy hat; in fact, the staple piece in the Scarlet Witch's costume is a leather jacket. She also wears a red one piece (which you can reuse after Halloween) and red gloves.
8. DIY Candy Corn Witch Costume
If candy corn is your favorite Halloween candy, you'll want to recreate this sweet look. All you need is a black bustier, witch hat and a pumpkin filled with candy corn.
9. DIY Winifred Sanderson Costume
Run amok this Halloween by dressing up as Winifred, the head witch from Hocus Pocus — you can also turn this into a fun fun group costume by recruiting two friends to go as her sisters, Sarah and Mary.
10. DIY Samantha from Bewitched Costume
One of pop culture's most iconic witches! While Samantha dressed in mortal clothing most of the time, there were a few witchy looks, include this one which is so easy to recreate. Have your date go as Darrin Stephens for the ultimate couples costume.
11. DIY Baby Witch Costume
If this baby costume looks familiar it's because it's inspired by Harry Potter. Hermione, for example, was a witch. With a scarf, wand and onesie, it's probably the easiest baby costume ever.
12. DIY Masquerade Witch Costume
This look combines everything you love about a classic witch costume and adds an element of mystery. Pick out your favorite masquerade mask and you're halfway there.
What You'll Need for a Masquerade Witch Costume
13. DIY Witch Costume for Kids
If you're taking your little one trick-or-treating or escorting them to a school Halloween party, make her your partner-in-crime with a kid-approved costume of a sparkly dress and striped tights. Just add a cute witch hat (hint: try to get one propped on a headband so it stays on her head!).
14. DIY Twinkle Witch Costume
Brighten up your Halloween night with this glow-up costume. Just add some LED lights to your classic witch's hat or purchase one that already comes with them. Apply face paint and a wig in your favorite color for added flare.
15. DIY Maleficent Costume
Maleficent's dark magic makes her a perfect fit for this costume category. Put on her iconic headpiece and don't forget your scepter.
What You'll Need for a Maleficent Costume
17. DIY Sea Witch a.k.a Ursula Costume
Looking to get a little more creative with your witch costume? Dress up as sea witch Ursula from The Little Mermaid — if you already have a floor-length black gown in your closet, all you'll need is a wig, purple body makeup and a few choice accessories.
What You'll Need for Ursula Costume
18. DIY Ice Witch Costume
To recreate this frigid look, you'll need a long gown, white false eyelashes and a prop spell book. Face paint is optional.
19. DIY Fiona Goode Costume
There are so many great options when it comes to American Horror Story-inspired Halloween costumes, particularly in the witch category: Myrtle Snow, Marie Laveau, Madison Montgomery, Misty Day and Queenie, just to name a few. But there's no one more glamorous (or easier to dress as!) than the original Supreme herself, Fiona Goode.
20. DIY Kiki the Witch Costume
If you're a fan of Kiki's Delivery Service, opt for this cute-not-scary witch costume. If you already have a purple dress, it couldn't be easier to put together — bonus points if you carry along a plush black cat to stand in as Kiki's feline companion Jiji.
21. DIY Red Witch Costume
The red hooded witch leaves everyone wondering how someone looking so lovely can be so evil. A long, full-length cloak is a must for this costume — you can keep the rest of the outfit all black or all white.
22. DIY Sabrina the Teenage Witch Costume
To recreate everyone's favorite teen witch from The Chilling Adventures of Sabrina, you'll need a red trench coat, white collared dress and black socks (you can also wear tights). Don't forget to accessorize with a black headband.
23. DIY Modern Witch Costume
Feeling magical but not into the cloaks and witch hats? A modern take on a witch includes a leather jacket, fedora and the makeup style of your choice.
24. DIY Grand High Witch Costume
Ann Hathaway's performance as Grand High Witch in the film adaptation of the book The Witches was chilling enough to keep your little ones up at night. Recreate her sophisticated look with a houndstooth tweed coat, long gloves and an organza hat.
25. DIY Professor Minerva McGonagall Costume
Harry Potter and the crew learned from the best. Channel your inner Professor McGonagall with your own witch hat, round glasses and wand.
26. DIY Dr. Facilier a.k.a The Witch Doctor Costume
The Princess and The Frog's Dr. Facilier is a witch doctor, so a little different than the others on our list, but he still fits the bill with spell casting and fortune telling. Rock his get up with the help of a top hat, purple shirt and blazer.
27. DIY Purple Witch Costume
This fun twist on a classic witch is super easy to pull off. All you really need is all of your witch essentials, a pointy hat, oversized shawl and knee-length dress, in the color purple!
Cameron (she/her) is a staff writer for Good Housekeeping, where she covers everything from holidays to food. She is a graduate of Syracuse University, where she received a B.A. in magazine journalism. In her spare-time she can be found scrolling TikTok for the latest cleaning hacks and restaurant openings, binge-watching seasons of Project Runway or online shopping.
Shanon Maglente is a writer and editor who specializes in deals, trends, and best-of product roundups. She has about a decade’s worth of experience, and has worked with Good Housekeeping as a writer and editor since 2019.
