Modern witch attire is a subject that has gained a lot of attention in recent years. With the rise in popularity of witchcraft and Wicca, more and more people are looking to embody the witch aesthetic in their fashion choices. The traditional image of a witch, with a pointy hat and flowing black robes, is often what comes to mind when thinking about witch attire. However, modern witches are redefining what it means to dress like a witch. Many opt for a more eclectic and individualistic approach to their fashion choices. One common theme in modern witch attire is a focus on natural materials and earthy colors.
She, like many little girls all around the world, grew up being fed the fantasy of the strong and capable Prince who would smite all the Princess’s demons and love her fiercely. In today’s society, this story is largely recognized as one produced by a patriarchal system which, through the use of the male gaze, limits women to damsels in distress worthy of pity and in dire need of a hyper-masculine male savior whose heroism would be rewarded with the damsel’s body and beauty. Anna Biller turns this concept on its head to affirm that in the same way men have fantasies of obtaining a beautiful, female prize, so do women themselves possess sensual fantasies and perceptions of love and romance.
Rather, what ultimately makes Elaine s version of love so deadly is that she does not realize that what she is addicted to is a misogynistic lie cultivated by men for men with no regard for women s autonomy or desires the kind of love that exists within the pages of fairy tales and is better off left there because it resembles a horror story when brought to life. During this same conversation Elaine says this line, that basically summarizes the whole movie and it s corresponding theme You men make us work so hard for your love.
One common theme in modern witch attire is a focus on natural materials and earthy colors. Fabrics like cotton, linen, and hemp are popular, as they are seen as more sustainable and connected to nature. Black is still a popular color choice, but it is often paired with other earth tones like brown, green, or deep burgundy.
A Theme Analysis of “The Love Witch”
After finishing the movie The Love Witch I was scratching my head trying to understand the various themes included in the film. I knew they were really interesting and nuanced feminist ideas, but it was difficult to explain them in words. After a lot of thinking about it, I finally came to this conclusion:
The movie explores the idea that Elaine has two selves: the “dark exterior” and the “rainbow interior.” The first self is sort of like a character that Elaine plays when she dates the first two men. She changes herself into everything that they want. She basically becomes a personification of each man’s desires and fantasies. She does this because she thinks it is the only way that a man could ever truly love her.
To understand why Elaine behaves/thinks in the way that she does, it is important to analyze the ideology of the witches in the movie. Barbara says that the witches believe that the repression of women’s sexuality in society is a tactic to take away a woman’s power, (which is something I actually believe, lol.) However, the witches also reduce a woman’s power to just her sexuality/body and emphasize how women should use their sexuality to please men (rather than themselves.)
When Elaine has a conversation with Trish, her friend says, “But what about what we want?” and “the whole world doesn’t revolve around men’s needs,” to which Elaine responds, “You have to give a man his fantasy.” Elaine/The witches believe that only when women use their sexuality to serve men’s desires will men love women and see women as full human beings. However, the movie proves this idea wrong because while the first two men become totally obsessed with Elaine, they were not really in love with her or her true self.
After failing with her first two tries at love, Elaine dates a cop named Jack. At first everything is perfect. He and Elaine fall in love and this time she doesn’t give him the love potion (aka she is just herself with him rather then his fantasy). However, Jack soon becomes embarrassed by the fact that he has fallen in love. He says, “Love is soft. You need guts in this business and I’ve seen guys get shot to death because they fell in love and got soft inside… men can get destroyed by things like that. It’s like he’s not even a man anymore.” Ultimately, he is prevented by toxic masculinity/his own insecurity from accepting that he is in love.
There are two contrasting quotes from Elaine and Jack that exemplify their relationship. Elaine says, “The more you know him the more you love him,” and this shows how Elaine loves Jack’s true self. However, Jack says, “The more you get to know a woman the less you can feel about her.” And this shows how he wants her to be a fantasy for him. But, when he sees Elaine’s true self he is disappointed and soon falls out of love with her. Elaine and Jack have a conversation where Elaine says Jack is a narcissist. Jack can’t truly let himself love another human being, other than himself. A women, to him, can only ever reflect his own desires back at him. During this same conversation Elaine says this line, that basically summarizes the whole movie and it’s corresponding theme: “You men make us work so hard for your love. If you would just love us for ourselves… but you wont.”
In conclusion, the movie communicates the idea that when a woman dates a man she can either become the embodiment of his fantasies and use her sexuality to serve him or be her real self and serve her own needs. Many men expect women to embody their fantasies and women are pressured, by society at large, into changing themselves so they can be everything their boyfriend/husband wants. But ultimately, because these women are not really themselves, the love their partner has for them is not real and is more akin to obsession.
The real tragedy of this movie is the fact that Elaine never found genuine love. Neither becoming a man’s fantasy nor showing him her true self was ever enough.
The most intriguing element of this sequence is Elaine’s meticulous and methodical preparation of a witch bottle, an item of witchcraft constructed for protection that dates back centuries and is known by scholars as a “magical talismans used … to ward off spells or cure disease” (Collinson). Nevertheless, her intended use for it had nothing to do with wanting Wayne’s burial place to be defended from negative energies. The truth is she pitied him; his death had disallowed him from ever being able to appreciate and witness her presence ever again and so she would ensure that some remnant of her bodily essence stayed with him, always.
Accessories are also an important part of modern witch attire. Many witches incorporate crystals, talismans, and other symbolic items into their outfits. These can be worn as jewelry or incorporated into clothing or accessories. Some witches also incorporate elements from different cultures, such as feathers or beads, as a way of connecting to different spiritual traditions. It's important to note that modern witch attire is highly individualistic and can vary greatly from person to person. There are no strict rules or guidelines on what to wear to embody the witch aesthetic. Some witches may prefer a more minimalist and subtle approach, while others may embrace a more bold and theatrical style. Overall, modern witch attire is a reflection of how witches are reclaiming and reimagining their identity. It is a celebration of individuality, spirituality, and connection to nature. Whether someone chooses to dress like a traditional witch or put their own unique spin on the witch aesthetic, modern witch attire is a powerful form of self-expression..
Reviews for "The Magic of Fashion: Exploring the Symbolism in Modern Witch Attire"
- Samantha - 2 stars - I was really disappointed with Modern Witch Attire. The clothing looked nothing like what was shown on the website. The quality was subpar and the fit was all wrong. Plus, the customer service was terrible. When I contacted them about returning the items, they were unresponsive and unhelpful. I definitely won't be shopping here again.
- Michael - 1 star - I ordered a dress from Modern Witch Attire and it was a complete disaster. The fabric was cheap and felt like it was going to fall apart. The sizing was completely off, and the dress looked nothing like the picture online. I reached out to customer service to try and get a refund, but they were rude and unprofessional. Save your money and shop elsewhere.
- Jessica - 2 stars - I had high hopes for Modern Witch Attire, but unfortunately, it fell short. The clothing I received didn't match the quality or style that was advertised. The stitching was uneven, and the fabric felt cheap. I was really disappointed with my purchase and won't be shopping here again. I would advise anyone considering buying from them to be cautious.