Mary Sanderson Costume
Smell children in style with Mary's iconic patchwork and peasant look.
As the quirky, child-sniffing middle sister from Disney's Hocus Pocus, Mary Sanderson is a beloved Halloween favorite. Her look is defined by a rustic, witchy aesthetic featuring warm earth tones, patchwork textures, and her signature asymmetrical hairstyle. This costume is perfect for anyone looking to bring comedic energy and classic 90s nostalgia to their next Halloween event.
- Difficulty
- Medium
- Time
- ~45 min
- Budget
- $45–120
Try it on
See yourself as Mary Sanderson
One clear photo of yourself; we render you in this costume — face untouched, full body, about 20 seconds.
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What you need for a Mary Sanderson costume
Short on time? Buy it ready-made
Spirit Halloween sells the complete Mary Sanderson costume — one box instead of 6 pieces.
Orange peasant blouse
An orange or rust-colored peasant top with puffy, elasticized sleeves and a ruffled neckline.
DIY: Use a plain orange long-sleeve shirt and push the sleeves up to create a puffed look.
Patchwork peasant skirt
A long, tiered skirt featuring shades of brown, burgundy, and orange, ideally with a patchwork pattern.
DIY: Sew fabric scraps in shades of brown, red, and orange onto an old brown maxi skirt.
Plum or maroon vest
A lace-up corset vest or waistcoat in deep plum, maroon, or dark purple to layer over the blouse.
DIY: Cut the sleeves off a dark purple t-shirt, slit the front, and add metal eyelets with ribbon lacing.
Red and white checkered apron
A small, waist-tied apron with a red and white checkered or plaid pattern.
DIY: Cut a rectangle of red and white plaid fabric, hem the edges, and sew on a matching fabric tie.
Mary Sanderson wig
A black and purple styled wig shaped into Mary's signature towering, crooked, vacuum-like swirl.
DIY: Style your own hair or a black wig over a wire hanger or foam cone base, securing with heavy-duty hairspray.
Dark brown ankle boots
Simple, lace-up or slip-on dark brown leather or faux-leather ankle boots.
DIY: Use any dark brown or black boots you already own.
Rather not assemble it? See ready-made Mary Sanderson costumes at Spirit Halloween ↗
How to put it together
- 1
Put on the orange peasant blouse, pulling the neckline slightly wide and pushing the sleeves up to your elbows.
- 2
Slip on the patchwork peasant skirt, ensuring it sits comfortably at your natural waist.
- 3
Layer the plum or maroon corset vest over the blouse, tightening the front laces for a snug fit.
- 4
Tie the red and white checkered apron around your waist so it sits over the front of the skirt.
- 5
Put on a wig cap, then carefully secure the towering Mary Sanderson wig with bobby pins to keep it upright.
- 6
Put on your dark brown ankle boots and adjust the hem of your skirt so it drapes naturally over the boots.
- 7
Practice Mary's signature crooked, side-mouthed smirk in the mirror to complete the character.
Makeup & hair
Apply a pale foundation base, dark defined eyebrows, and a deep red lipstick, drawing the lip color slightly off-center to mimic her crooked mouth. The hair must be styled in her iconic, gravity-defying twisted cone shape with purple highlights woven throughout.
Mary Sanderson for couples, groups, kids & more
- couples
- Pair up with Billy Butcherson for a fun, undead-and-witch dynamic.
- group
- Assemble the full Sanderson sister trio with Winifred in green and Sarah in purple.
- kids
- A miniature version featuring a comfortable knit orange top, felt patchwork skirt, and a soft fabric headpiece instead of a heavy wig.
- Plus size
- Peasant skirts with elastic waistbands and adjustable lace-up vests offer a highly customizable and comfortable fit.
- pet
- A simple orange and brown dog cape with a tiny, lightweight plush black swirl hat.
Tips
- Use plenty of bobby pins and a wig grip band to keep the top-heavy wig from sliding backward during the night.
- If you plan to carry a prop, a classic household vacuum cleaner or a traditional straw broom makes the perfect accessory.
- Keep your makeup touch-up kit handy, especially the red lipstick, to maintain her signature crooked pout.
- Wear comfortable leggings under the long skirt if you are trick-or-treating in cold autumn weather.
Mary Sanderson costume FAQ
- What color is Mary Sanderson's dress?
- Mary's outfit is a mix of warm earth tones, primarily featuring an orange peasant top, a dark brown and orange patchwork skirt, a plum or maroon vest, and a red-and-white checkered apron.
- How do I do Mary Sanderson's hair?
- Her hair is styled in a towering, crooked cone shape that looks like a swirl. To DIY it, wrap black hair or a wig around a foam cone or wire structure, weave in purple highlights, and secure it with heavy-duty hairspray.
- What is Mary Sanderson's flying vehicle?
- While Winifred rides a broom and Sarah rides a mop, Mary famously flies on a modern vacuum cleaner (and a pair of vacuum-like floor buffers in the sequel).
Did you know? Kathy Najimy, who played Mary, improvised her character's famous crooked-mouth smirk during rehearsals, explaining it as a defense mechanism to cope with her sister Winifred's constant yelling.