The Goal: Find the most durable pointy-topped witch hat. To assess the options, we talked to a panel of professionals: haunted-house witches, whose jobs demand that their defining accessory last more than a few seasons.
The Verdict: While the most basic taffeta hat goes for $2.99 at some mega costume stores, serious witches prefer to invest in something more substantial — namely, the Wicked Witch Hat (from $62 at etsy.com) by hatmaker Fiona FixMitchell. It satisfies even the most discerning of witches, like Jamie Keller, who’s playing the Wicked Witch at this year’s “13th Gate” in Baton Rouge, and Katie Luscombe, an apprentice to Clinton Hill’s Halloween Lady. The hat’s aesthetic is a perk (the silhouette is crumpled; an imperfect triangle is more realistic, according to this crowd), but the real boon is its sturdiness. The brim is double-lined for longevity, and the material is wool felt — though ecoconscious witches can opt for fabric made from recycled soda bottles.
More witch-approved hats
The simplest (and most basic) version of a witch hat; you can’t go wrong with this pointy silhouette and sheen. This one’s a perennial best seller at Halloween megastores in New York City like Frank Bee Costume Center and New York Costumes.
A best seller at Halloween Express, according to its COO Brad Butler, this ruched hat’s sculptural design works with a number of sexy, classic, and sorceress witch costumes. Its more hefty structure also means that it can hold your own embellishments.
If you want to channel the colonial vibes of the Salem witch trials, try this velour topper, a popular choice at Abracadabra, according to the Manhattan store’s Cristina Guerra.
Delicate and sheer, this lace number imparts a little intrigue in the subtlest way, especially if you want to ditch the heavy robes and go as a diaphanous witch. It’s a best seller at Abracadabra.
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