It’s time for another Songful Style post! This month, it was my turn to choose the song, and since Halloween is just around the corner, I couldn’t resist picking something perfectly spooky and iconic — I Put a Spell on You from the much-loved film Hocus Pocus!
If you’re new to Songful Style, it’s a fun collaboration hosted by me, the fabulous Shelbee from Shelbee on the Edge and Marsha from Marsha in the Middle, where we create outfits inspired by a chosen song each month.
Now, I don’t know about you, but Hocus Pocus never gets old for me. I actually re-watched the original film yesterday (from 1993) just to take in those fabulous outfits again — and honestly, it’s still absolutely brilliant. The Sanderson sisters are such a joy to watch: hilarious, chaotic, and just the right amount of spooky. I started watching the second one straight after but didn’t make it too far — though I’ve already seen it twice, but I might finish it later today!
The witches’ outfits are iconic — layers of flowing fabrics, corsets, and long skirts in gorgeous shades of deep red, purple, and green. Each sister has her own colour palette and personality, and the attention to detail is just spot on. Plus, the song I Put a Spell on You is such a catchy classic — it’s been stuck in my head ever since I started planning this post!
🎵 Did you know? Bette Midler actually insisted on performing the song herself — it wasn’t originally planned as such a big number! But once she signed on, the scene was reimagined to let her theatrical roots shine. The band featured in the scene, The Skeletons, was created just for the movie. And if you look closely, their instruments are covered in cobwebs — a little visual Easter egg that most people miss!
The original version of I Put a Spell on You was written and recorded by the wonderfully eccentric Screamin’ Jay Hawkins back in 1956. It was wild, theatrical, and totally ahead of its time — in fact, the BBC banned it for being too “screamy”! Over the years, it’s been covered by countless artists including Nina Simone, Annie Lennox, and of course, Bette Midler in Hocus Pocus. Bette’s version became one of the film’s standout moments — that unforgettable Halloween party scene where she casts a literal spell through song. Fun fact: the movie’s composer, John Debney, worked closely with Midler to blend the campy humour of the scene with that big Broadway-style showmanship she’s known for. The result? A musical moment that’s now totally legendary in Halloween pop culture.
Sadly, I don’t have anything for this look in those rich jewel tones, but I do have the most perfect black velvet witchy dress. It has a tie-up front that gives a corset-like effect, and the neckline dips just enough to feel a little bit saucy — very much in the spirit of Sarah Jessica Parker’s character! Over the top, I added a black knitted waterfall-style cardigan for extra witchy drama. As well as my quirky Fytoo glasses and a fun up-do because the Sanderson witches were nothing if not quirky!
🧙♀️ Costume trivia! The original Hocus Pocus costumes were designed by Mary Vogt, and each witch’s look reflected her personality — Winifred’s emeralds for envy and power, Mary’s warm reds for hearth and home, and Sarah’s lilacs for flirtation and charm. Sarah Jessica Parker’s corset was famously so tight she had to be lifted onto her broom between takes! And each sister’s “broom” — a mop, vacuum, and traditional broom — was deliberately chosen to suit their quirks.
To give the outfit that extra Halloween kick, I popped on my black and white striped tights underneath — I’m fairly sure Sarah Sanderson (Sarah Jessica Parker’s character) wears green striped ones, so it felt like the perfect little nod to her. I also wore some suitably catty earrings, handmade from a lady on Vinted (they’re a nod to Thackeray Binx!) and a simple black necklace — subtle but just right. And on my feet, I’ve finally worn my pointed black shoes (which have been waiting patiently in my wardrobe for ages). They couldn’t have been more perfect for this outfit.
✨ A little sequel magic: When Hocus Pocus 2 came out in 2022, costume designer Salvador Pérez Jr. refreshed the sisters’ looks with richer fabrics and colours — he called it “the same witches, but in 4K.” Bette Midler was reportedly emotional seeing herself as Winifred again, while Sarah Jessica Parker said she “felt like no time had passed at all.”
What makes this outfit even better is that every single item was thrifted (apart from the tights, I think I got those from H&M years ago, and the earrings)! I love when that happens — it feels like a bit of sustainable magic, don’t you think?
Even though I wasn’t able to match the Sanderson sisters’ colours exactly, I think my all-black version still captures the essence of Hocus Pocus. It’s witchy, dramatic, and a little bit mischievous — just how I like it!
So, whether you’re dressing up for Halloween or just feeling the witchy vibes this week, pop on I Put a Spell on You and let yourself get swept up in the magic.
Don’t forget to check out Shelbee and Marsha’s outfits this month! And please join in the link-up below, and then come back next month and join in the fun when we’ll be styling Neil Young’s Harvest Moon!
Good news for all us witchy fans: Hocus Pocus 3 is officially brewing! Bette Midler has already read the script and called much of it “brilliant,” while Sarah Jessica Parker has hinted she’d love to reprise her role alongside the rest of the Sanderson sisters. Anne Fletcher is set to direct again with Jen D’Angelo penning the script, so we can probably expect more mischief, magic, and nostalgia sprinkled in. There’s even chatter about some original cast members making a comeback, including Tobias Jelinek, who played the original film’s Jay, though he says he’d only return if others like Omri Katz and Vinessa Shaw join too. While there’s no official release date yet, whispers suggest Halloween 2027 might see the sisters back in action—so keep your brooms ready!
