30 DIY Halloween Costumes For Empowered Ladies

Hermione (Emma Watson) in the Harry Potter series, Screencap via Warner Bros.

Hermione Granger – Harry Potter

Why She’s Awesome: For me, Hermione Granger was the end-all, be-all of childhood heroes. She was the smartest witch of her age, which was noted many times in the books, and yet, even at eleven, she was sorted into Gryffindor. This proves that as intelligent as she was, she was even more courageous. Hermione was easily the MVP of the Harry Potter trio, saving lives countless times with both her intellect and her bravery. Hermione was also awkward, a little insufferable, occasionally unlikable, and still totally lovable and amazing. When she found her tribe, she blossomed, just like all of us when we found our first real friends.

Hermione herself has always been universally relatable for young girls. But this year’s publication and production of Harry Potter and the Cursed Child have given us a whole new insight into Hermione. The play shows her as a loving mother, a playful wife, and, most importantly, a kickass Minister for Magic. And the production itself did even more by casting Noma Dumezweni, a black actress, as grown-up Hermione. For women and girls of color who always saw themselves in Hermione, this was huge. It goes to show all little girls that, regardless of what they look like, they can be smart, strong, magical heroes.

What You’ll Need: Gryffindor robes aren’t hard to come by nowadays, and you can find them pretty cheap. You can pair them with jeans and a t-shirt, like the book illustrations, or if you want to spring for a Gryffindor tie, you can go with a white button down and black skirt for a more formal look.

If you don’t have naturally frizzy hair, try this method that I used for each of the three Halloweens that I dressed as Hermione: after showering the night before, separate your hair into super tiny braids all over. Sleeping in them might be hard, but the spot-on result in the morning will be worth it. Don’t forget her wand, whether it’s the $40 one sold by Universal Studios or just a painted dowel rod. And for a finishing touch, use felt or paper and safety pins to fashion some buttons – one for her tenure as Head Girl, and one for her commitment to her SPEW organization.

Next Level Move: Cursed Child Hermione! What better way to step up your costume than to embody the newest HP installment? Grown-up Hermione is the Minister for Magic, as we always knew she would be. Upgrade your Hogwarts robes to some for more official-looking garb, as shown, and swap out the badges for a Ministry of Magic patch. Keep the wand, of course, and the hair. And include Hermione’s wedding ring – unless you don’t think she’d be into wearing one, which would be totally valid!