Sanderson Sisters Costume
Run amuck this Halloween as Salem's most iconic witch trio.
The Sanderson Sisters—Winifred, Sarah, and Mary—are the legendary, chaotic witch trio from Disney's Hocus Pocus. They are a perennial favorite for group costumes due to their distinct, colorful personalities and memorable 17th-century attire. Recreating their look involves rich velvet layers, corsets, and highly stylized, gravity-defying hairstyles.
- Difficulty
- Medium
- Time
- ~45 min
- Budget
- $45–120
Try it on
See yourself as Sanderson Sisters
One clear photo of yourself; we render you in this costume — face untouched, full body, about 20 seconds.
One render, $1. No account needed — if it fails you're not charged. Pricing.
Your photo is sent to Google's Gemini API to make the render and isn't used for training. Renders are AI-generated and labelled.
Want a different costume on this photo, or a whole group in costume? Open the Try-On Studio.
What you need for a Sanderson Sisters costume
Short on time? Buy it ready-made
Spirit Halloween sells the complete Sanderson Sisters costume — one box instead of 7 pieces.
Winifred's Green Velvet Robe
A deep green, medieval-style velvet robe with purple undersleeves and gold metallic trim.
DIY: Layer a long green velvet cardigan over a purple maxi dress and secure with a gold sash.
Sarah's Corset Dress
A romantic, layered dress featuring a purple lace-up corset bodice and a pink and yellow flowing skirt.
DIY: Combine a purple lace-up bustier with a long, multi-layered pink and orange maxi skirt.
Mary's Layered Plaid Outfit
An asymmetrical ensemble featuring a red knit vest, a brown laced bodice, and a red-and-orange plaid skirt.
DIY: Layer a red sweater vest over a brown corset, paired with a mismatched plaid skirt.
Winifred's Orange Wig
A bright orange, curly wig styled into two large, voluminous top-coils.
DIY: Style your own hair or a base orange wig using foam rollers and heavy-hold hairspray around foam cones.
Mary's Gravity-Defying Wig
A dark brown or black wig styled into a twisted, upward-pointing cone with purple highlights.
DIY: Wrap dark hair extensions around a lightweight foam cone, secure with bobby pins, and spray with purple hair color.
Sarah's Blonde Wig
Long, wavy, platinum blonde hair with dark roots.
DIY: Part your own blonde hair down the middle and use a curling wand to create loose, beachy waves.
The Black Flame Candle & Spellbook
A faux leather book with a single prosthetic eye on the cover, and a black pillar candle.
DIY: Decorate an old textbook with hot glue swirls, brown acrylic paint, and a large plastic toy eye.
Rather not assemble it? See ready-made Sanderson Sisters costumes at Spirit Halloween ↗
How to put it together
- 1
Select which sister you want to portray, or coordinate with two friends to complete the trio.
- 2
Put on the base layers of your chosen sister's outfit, ensuring the corsets or sashes are securely laced.
- 3
Secure your natural hair under a wig cap, then carefully pin your character's signature wig in place.
- 4
Apply character-specific makeup, focusing on Winifred's heart-shaped lips, Sarah's smoky eyes, or Mary's crooked smile.
- 5
Slip on dark, comfortable period-appropriate boots or flats that match the historical aesthetic.
- 6
Grab your character's signature household 'broom'—a traditional broom for Winifred, a mop for Sarah, or a vacuum cleaner for Mary.
Makeup & hair
Winifred requires pale skin, drawn-on high eyebrows, and red lipstick applied only to the center of the lips in a heart shape. Sarah wears classic 90s smoky eyeshadow and deep plum lipstick, while Mary features a slightly contoured face and a signature crooked lip look drawn with lip liner.
Sanderson Sisters for couples, groups, kids & more
- couples
- Pair any sister with Billy Butcherson in his tattered colonial suit and stitched-mouth makeup.
- group
- Go as the full trio of Winifred, Sarah, and Mary, and add Billy Butcherson or Dani Dennison to expand the group.
- kids
- Miniature versions of the sisters' dresses look adorable with simplified, soft yarn wigs for comfort.
- Plus size
- The corset-style bodices of these costumes are highly adjustable and flattering; look for lace-up backs for a custom fit.
- pet
- Dress your cat or dog as Binx the black cat, or find a tiny witch cape for a matching pet look.
Tips
- Wigs can get heavy and warm; use plenty of bobby pins and a velvet wig grip band to keep them secure all night.
- If you are using a vacuum cleaner as Mary's prop, opt for a lightweight toy version or a hand-vac to avoid carrying heavy weight.
- Layer thermal leggings under the long skirts to stay warm during chilly October outdoor events.
- Coordinate your poses for photos—Winifred should look commanding, Sarah alluring, and Mary delightfully quirky.
Sanderson Sisters costume FAQ
- What are the Sanderson Sisters' names?
- The three sisters are Winifred (the eldest and leader), Mary (the middle sister who can smell children), and Sarah (the youngest and most hypnotic).
- What does each sister fly on?
- Winifred flies on a traditional broom, Sarah flies on a mop, and Mary is forced to fly on a vacuum cleaner.
- How do I make Winifred's hair?
- You can use a pre-styled wig, or style your own hair by placing two foam styling cones on top of your head, wrapping orange-sprayed hair around them, and securing with heavy-duty hairspray.
Did you know? Mary Vogt, the costume designer, intentionally avoided traditional black witch outfits, choosing vibrant, historically-inspired colors to reflect each sister's unique personality.