Witch burning attire refers to the clothing worn by people accused of being witches during the period of witch hunts in history. The witch trials, which occurred primarily during the 15th to 18th centuries, were a dark and tragic period in which thousands of individuals, mostly women, were accused of practicing witchcraft and subsequently executed. During these trials, the accused witches were often subjected to various forms of torture and interrogation in order to obtain confessions. These confessions were then used as evidence against them in their trials. As part of this oppressive and horrifying process, the accused witches were usually stripped of their regular clothing and made to wear specific attire associated with witchcraft or with being a witch. The exact nature of the witch burning attire varied depending on the location and time period of the trials.
Men’s Theatrical Shoes, circa 1870-1900
Deborah Everton, the film s costume designer, had to consider several different factors when creating the costumes She had to depict them as witches, convey accessible teenage style, consider the limitations of their school uniforms, and keep each characters arc at the forefront, all at the same time. Putting lipstick on shifts my energy and as a Libra rising and Venus devotee; glamour is naturally part of my craft, regardless of what I wear, she says.
The exact nature of the witch burning attire varied depending on the location and time period of the trials. However, certain common elements can be identified. One of the most distinctive features of this attire was the use of a shift or gown, often made of a plain and coarse material such as sackcloth, to humiliate and degrade the accused.
Echoes from Salem: Witchy Fashions of the 17th Century
Whether you know it or not, you’re familiar with 17th century fashion. Our modern ideas of witch clothing trickled down to us from the 17th century, most notably from our fascination with the Salem witch trials of 1692. You see the 17th century all over the place this time of year! For example:
This little darling is a fairly classic, modern witch: pointed hat, “renaissance” dress, and criss-cross “corset” lacing. This polyester masterpiece bears little resemblance to anything we might normally consider historical, but the pieces are there; you just have to look!
The Dress
Our little purple witch is wearing a dress with a faux-stomacher front covered with silver rick-rack. In the 17th century, stomachers were an important part of a lady’s wardrobe. They held jacket-like bodices together and were often heavily decorated, especially with embroidery and gilt threads:
“Portrait of a Bride” by Johannes Cornelisz Verspronck, 1640
“Woman of the Stuyvesant Family” by an unknown artist, late 17th century (1670-1700)
The color black is also very 17th century. Black was the color of wealth, modesty, and respectable mourning, so it’s a bit surprising that the somber color was attached to witches. Most “witches” accused in the Salem trials and elsewhere were often of the lower classes and would not have been able to afford expensive black cloth. They would have worn something more along the lines of this:
“Woman Warming her Hands over a Brazier” by Maestro della Tela Jeans, late 17th century
“Peasant Interior” by the Le Nain Brothers, 1642
The criss-crossing rick-rack mimics the lacing pattern of a pair of stays. Here is a pair of 1660s stays with sleeves that shows the criss-cross front lacing modern costume manufacturers have come to consider standard:
Stays and Busk, circa 1660
These wouldn’t have been outerwear for wealthier women, but would have been under the bodice. A lower class woman would not have had such fancy stays. Instead, she would have worn a reed or leather pair of stays over a chemise and skirt.
The Apron
Another 17th century aspect of the modern purple witch dress is the apron. Aprons were universal in 16th, 17th, and 18th century fashion. Everyone wore them, even if they were wealthy and never cooked a meal in their life!
“Citizen’s Daughter” by Wenceslaus Hollar, circa 1643
It’s especially fitting that the girl wearing the purple witch outfit has an apron on because it was standard practice in the 1600s for a child under 6 to wear an apron constantly to protect their skirts.
The Hat
Nothing says “witch” like a tall, cone-shaped hat! It’s been a Halloween witches’ staple since the 19th century, especially during the Edwardian era when costume balls and Halloween parties became popular.
Antique Postcard Design
Girl Dressed in a Witch Costume, circa 1880-1905
The photo of the young lady above shows how the traditional Halloween witch morphed from a variety of influences. Her dress is very 18th century (complete with quilted petticoat and fichu), while she herself is very Victorian. In addition, there’s that ever-present pointed hat! The hat style is undeniably 17th century. The tall, conical shape is derived from the capotain: a felted hat popular with both men and women since Elizabethan times.
“Head of a Man with a Pointed Hat” by Adriaen Brouwer, circa 1630
These hats were worn by every level of society from rich to poor. These big, funny-shaped hats seem really comical to our modern eyes, but they were considered a common essential for protecting your face from the sun and, for women especially, a sign of modesty. One of the best examples of the conical capotain is in this spectacular painting by John Michael Wright:
“Portrait of Mrs. Salisbury and her Grandchildren Edward and Elizabeth” by John Michael Wright, 1675
Detail of the Fabulous Hat
This is a later 17th century painting from 1675, but the style of the hat is a few decades earlier, around 1650-1660. The woman in the painting is not a witch; she’s just an upper class grandmother posing with her rambunctious and brightly-dressed grandchildren on a cool autumn day. But there’s no denying that it is the perfect historical example of what we’ve come to consider the ultimate symbol of Halloween magic!
The Shoes
Lastly, we come to the other wicked essential everyone loves to wear. The young girl in the purple witch costume is wearing simple Mary Jane flats, but for the adults, there is an iconic witch accessory with pointy toes and exaggerated heels…”Witch Shoes!”
As soon as they’re mentioned, everyone knows exactly what you mean. Just do a search on Google or Etsy and you’ll discover thousands of options that vary widely, but generally boil down to black, pointed or square toed, buckled or laced, and…well…witchy! Some of the styles are Edwardian in shape with straps and lacing. More traditional witches’ shoes, however, are 17th and early 18th century-inspired.
English Leather Shoe, circa 1640-50
Women’s Silk Shoes, circa 1700
Now I say “inspired” because over the centuries, the iconic buckle shoe had gone through many changes, each time re-emerging more cartoonish each time:
17th Century:
Men’s Leather Shoes, circa 1660
19th Century:
Men’s Theatrical Shoes, circa 1870-1900
20th Century:
English Underground Platform Shoes, circa 1974
21st Century:
Spider Buckle Witch shoes by Pleaser, circa 2012
So to Conclude:
The caricaturization, combination and evolution of the past is what defines our current ideas of Halloween, from witches and vampires to butterflies and hamburgers. Fashion itself is always evolving, so it makes sense that our “dress-up” fashions would follow suit. Being completely over-the-top is half the fun of dressing up in costume! You don’t want to be just a hippie. You want to be a technicolor, tye-dye-wearing, afro-topped, peace-sign-covered tower of disco glory…even if it’s not quite what you remember wearing back in the day. And you know what? That’s totally groovy.
Happy Halloween!
Another 17th century aspect of the modern purple witch dress is the apron. Aprons were universal in 16th, 17th, and 18th century fashion. Everyone wore them, even if they were wealthy and never cooked a meal in their life!
This garment was usually loose-fitting and shapeless, emphasizing the notion that the accused had abandoned societal norms and embraced evil. In addition to the shift or gown, other elements of witch burning attire included the use of a hood or a pointed hat, both of which aimed to symbolize the stereotypical image of a witch and further demonize the accused. Sometimes, the accused witches were made to wear additional accessories, such as a cape or a shawl, which were intended to add to their ominous appearance and reinforce the perception of their guilt. It is important to note that the use of such attire was not limited to the actual act of burning the accused witches at the stake. In many cases, the witch burning attire was also worn by the accused throughout their trials, serving as a constant reminder of their alleged crimes. By forcing the accused to wear these garments, authorities sought to perpetuate the notion that witches were dangerous and threatening entities that needed to be eradicated. The use of witch burning attire reflects the deeply misogynistic and superstitious beliefs that prevailed during the time of the witch trials. Accusations of witchcraft were often made against women who did not conform to societal expectations or who possessed knowledge or skills that were considered unusual or threatening. Women who were elderly, widowed, or single were particularly vulnerable to such accusations. The witch trials and the accompanying witch burning attire represents a dark chapter in human history, characterized by prejudice, fear, and the abuse of power. The persecution of those accused of witchcraft serves as a stark reminder of the dangers of mass hysteria and the devastating consequences that can arise from the scapegoating of marginalized individuals..
Reviews for "Fashioning Fear: Unearthing the Symbolism of Witch Burning Attire"
1. Emily - 2/5 stars
I was highly disappointed with the "Witch burning attire" I purchased. The quality was poor and the fabric felt cheap. The sizing was also way off, despite ordering my usual size, the costume was way too tight. Additionally, the design looked nothing like the picture online. It was supposed to have intricate details, but I could barely see any of them. Overall, I would not recommend this product.
2. Sarah - 1/5 stars
I cannot stress enough how disappointed I am with the "Witch burning attire". It was poorly made and fell apart after just one wear. The seams were coming undone, and the stitching was sloppy. The overall fit was unflattering and uncomfortable; it was definitely not suitable for extended wear. I would advise anyone considering buying this costume to look elsewhere for better quality options.
3. Michael - 2/5 stars
I had high hopes for the "Witch burning attire", but unfortunately, it did not live up to my expectations. The fabric felt scratchy and uncomfortable against my skin. The costume also came with several missing accessories, making it incomplete and not worth the price. Moreover, the sizing was way off, and even with alterations, it did not fit well. I regret purchasing this costume and would not recommend it to others.
4. Jennifer - 3/5 stars
While the "Witch burning attire" had some appealing aspects, I was still disappointed overall. The costume arrived on time, which was a plus, but the quality of the materials used was lackluster. The seams were not well-finished, and some of the decorative elements started to come off during the first wear. However, I must admit that the design was unique and eye-catching. If only the execution had been as good as the concept.