Witch costume accessories do almost all the work in a witch costume: a pointed hat, a crooked nose and something to hold turn plain black clothes into a witch. You don’t need a broom. Our purple witch hat with gold stars is a one-size-fits-most polyester hat sized for adult women, the green witch nose with a wart is a no-glue latex nose on an elastic strap, and the green orb wizard and witch staff is a 29.3 in (about 74 cm) plastic staff that twists apart into three short pieces.
Below: how to choose and wear each accessory, which look each combination creates, broom-free ideas for what to carry, and a few calm notes on latex, kids and trick-or-treating after dark.
The three witch costume accessories that matter most
Think of a witch costume as head, face and hands. The hat gives the silhouette people recognize from a distance. The nose changes the face without makeup. The hand prop tells everyone what kind of witch you are. Your clothes can be anything dark or anything purple; a long skirt, a black hoodie or a cape over everyday clothes all work.
- Head: a pointed witch hat.
- Face: a crooked green nose, or no nose for a “cute witch” look.
- Hands: a staff, wand, cauldron pail, spell book or toy black cat.
- Body: black or purple clothes, a cape or shawl, striped tights if you like.
Witch hats: fit, style and keeping it on
The purple star hat is the cheerful kind of witch hat: a purple base with gold stars rather than plain black. It’s polyester, labeled one size fits most, and designed for adult women. Because it’s a soft fabric hat rather than a rigid one, a little care keeps the point standing.
Keeping a witch hat on
- Wear it slightly back on the head, so the brim frames the face without resting on the eyebrows.
- Slide two bobby pins through the inside edge of the hat into your hair on each side, crossed in an X.
- For fine or short hair, wear a thin headband underneath; it gives the pins something to grip.
- On windy nights, a length of hat elastic stitched inside the band and worn under the chin or behind the head keeps it from lifting off.
Can a child wear it?
It’s made in an adult size, so on a child it will sit low. If your child wants to borrow it, a folded strip of felt or soft fabric tucked inside the band takes up the extra room. For toddlers, a smaller hat is the more comfortable choice.
Storage
Stuff the crown loosely with tissue paper between wears so the point holds its shape, and store it upright or on top of other items rather than under them. Avoid high heat on polyester when you smooth out creases.
Witch noses: how a no-glue strap nose works
The green witch nose has the classic storybook profile: crooked, hooked at the tip, bumpy in texture and finished with a molded wart on the bridge. It measures 3.15 x 0.9 x 1.77 in (about 8 x 2.3 x 4.5 cm) and weighs 12 g (0.42 oz), so it’s light enough to forget about once it’s on.
It covers your nose only, not your face. You place it over your own nose and slip the attached black elastic strap behind your head; there’s no glue. Two air holes sit on the underside, and your eyes stay uncovered. The strap stretches, so the same nose works for kids and adults.
Two things to know before you wear it
- The strap is black. It shows against skin, so route it under your hair, under a wig, or behind the hat’s brim. Wearing the hat a little lower at the back usually hides it.
- The underside of your own nose may show on some face shapes. For photos taken from the front this rarely matters. If you want it seamless, a little green face paint under the nose blends it in; try a patch of the paint on your arm first.
This nose is made of latex. Skip it for anyone with a latex allergy or sensitivity, and keep it out of shared costume bins at school plays where cast members swap props.
Latex lasts longer kept cool, dry and out of direct sunlight, so store the nose in a box or bag between wears rather than in a hot car or a sunny windowsill.
Witch looks and the accessories each one needs
Different accessory combinations create quite different witches. Use this to decide what to buy, borrow or make.
| Witch look | Hat | Face | Hand prop | Clothes |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Classic storybook | Black pointed hat | Green crooked nose | Staff or broom | Black dress or cape, striped tights |
| Cute star witch | Purple hat with gold stars | No nose, maybe gold star stickers on a cheek | Staff with a colored orb | Purple and black, a tutu or long skirt |
| Green-faced spooky | Any pointed hat | Green nose plus green face paint | Staff and a cauldron pail | Tattered black layers |
| Forest or garden witch | Brown or green hat | No nose | Staff tied with dried flowers or herbs | Earth tones and a knitted shawl |
| Five-minute witch | Any witch hat | Optional nose | Nothing, or a wooden spoon | Whatever black clothes you own |
Broom-free ideas: what a witch can carry instead
A full-size broom is long, catches on doorways, takes up a whole seat on the bus and is awkward to hold while carrying a candy bag. Some schools and parties also limit long props. A shorter prop keeps the look and frees a hand.
A staff
The green orb staff is a plastic costume prop, 29.3 in long when assembled, made from two 13.4 in (34 cm) rods and a 5.3 in (13.5 cm) head with a green orb on a black finish. The pieces twist together by hand with no tools, and the longest piece is 13.4 in, so it packs into a tote or backpack and goes together at the door. It’s designed as a kids’ staff; on a grade-schooler it comes to roughly hip height, and on an adult it reads more like a short scepter. If you need a full-height adult staff, see our guide on how to choose a wizard staff.
Like any costume staff, it’s a prop to carry and pose with, not a walking aid, so don’t lean your weight on it.
Other things to carry
- A cauldron pail: a black trick-or-treat bucket doubles as a cauldron and solves the candy question.
- A spell book: wrap an old hardcover in brown paper and letter a title on the spine.
- A potion bottle: a clean plastic bottle with a cork-style cap and a hand-written label. Skip glass for kids.
- A familiar: a toy black cat or owl tucked in the crook of an arm.
- A lantern: a battery tea light in a small lantern, which also helps you be seen after dark.
Setting the scene and pairing costumes
A witch costume photographs well against a spooky backdrop. A stretched web on the porch or behind a party photo spot takes about as long to put up as the costume takes to put on; our guide on how to stretch a spider web decoration covers indoor and outdoor setups. For more party ideas, see our Halloween collection.
For couples and groups, witches pair naturally with devils, wizards and black cats. If a friend wants small horns rather than a full headband, our devil horns guide compares clip-on and headband styles and explains how to wear them.
Calm notes for kids and trick-or-treating
- The nose leaves the eyes uncovered, which keeps vision clear. Still do a walk-around at home in the full costume before heading out.
- Check that a long skirt or cape ends above the ankles so it doesn’t catch on steps.
- Dark witch outfits are hard to see at night. Add reflective tape to the staff or candy pail and carry a flashlight or the lantern.
- Remember the latex note above for anyone with a sensitivity.
Frequently asked questions
Is the green witch nose made of latex?
Yes. It's a latex nose, so don't use it for anyone with a latex allergy or sensitivity. Keep it out of shared prop bins at school plays so it isn't passed to someone who reacts to latex.
Do I need glue to wear a witch nose?
Not with this one. Place it over your own nose and slip the attached black elastic strap behind your head. It covers the nose only and leaves your eyes uncovered.
Will the witch nose strap show?
The strap is black, so it shows against skin. Route it under your hair, a wig or the hat brim. Wearing the hat slightly lower at the back usually hides it in photos.
Will the purple witch hat fit a child?
It's made in an adult size for women, so it sits low on a child. A folded strip of felt or soft fabric inside the band takes up the extra room for an older child; toddlers are more comfortable in a smaller hat.
How do I keep a witch hat on in the wind?
Cross two bobby pins through the inside edge into your hair on each side, add a thin headband underneath for fine hair, or stitch in a length of hat elastic to wear under the chin.
What can a witch carry instead of a broom?
A short staff, a cauldron-style candy pail, a spell book made from a wrapped hardcover, a plastic potion bottle, a toy black cat or a battery lantern. All are easier to manage in crowds than a broom.
Can adults use the green orb staff?
It's designed as a kids' staff and is 29.3 in long, so on an adult it works as a short scepter rather than a full-height staff. For a taller adult staff, see our guide to choosing a wizard staff.
