DIY Projects Halloween Crafts

How to Make Harry Potter Costumes

Hey, Harry Potter fans: Why not forego the expensive department store Halloween costumes and make an authentic-looking costume yourself? Packaged costumes tend to not fit, usually come with cheap plastic components, and rarely portray an authentic look. But with some glasses, a handmade wand, and your own wizard robe, you can bring Harry Potter to life, impressing both your partygoer friends and the young trick-or-treaters.

  • 01 of 04

    Harry Potter Costume

    How-to Harry Potter Costume
    Warner Bros. Pictures

    Harry Potter is a character that kids and grownups alike can relate to. And, this easy DIY costume is immediately recognizable. Maroon and gold are the colors of Gryffindor House, so make your look authentic by showing them off in Harry's tie, scarf, and robe.

    Gryffindor Scarf
    Sure, you can go the distance and crochet or knit a Gryffindor scarf. But an easier way to pull off the making of this accessory is by hot-gluing patches of gold and maroon felt together to form a neck decoration.

    Gryffindor Tie
    Start out with a gold tie, and then use red fabric paint to add lines to it. Employ a ruler and a fabric pen to help you make straight lines and paint in between them.

    Clothing
    Search your local thrift store for a white button-down shirt and a black or gray vest, a pair of black slacks, and black dress shoes. A black graduation robe makes a great Gryffindor robe to top off the look. 

    Glasses
    Also, search for a pair of round glasses at the thrift store, or buy a pair of bifocals and take out the lenses.

    Wand
    A thin stick from your backyard can be transformed into a wand. Just peel off the bark and use a piece of sandpaper to soften the sides of the stick. For a pointed end, take a small knife and whittle the end to a point. Apply a dark or light wood varnish to your smoothed wand.

  • 02 of 04

    Ron Weasley Costume

    How-To Ron Weasley Costume

    Warner Bros. Pictures

    Ron is not only Harry's right-hand man, but he's also a funny and talented wizard, too. If you're more Ron's personality type, try pulling off the look with this easy costume.

    Gryffindor Uniform
    Follow the instructions for the scarf, tie, and robes from the Harry Potter costume above.

    Clothing
    A local thrift store should also have clothing for Ron. Try to find a white button-down shirt and a black or gray vest, a pair of black slacks or black drawstring pants, and black dress shoes. For a more casual Ron, locate a large red sweater and khaki pants. Dirty sneakers work for a casual look, too.

    Hair
    Ron's red hair color is easy to achieve on a blond head with temporary hair dye or spray-on hair color. Or, you can purchase a red wig.

    Wand
    Follow the same DIY wand directions for the Harry Potter costume, but add duct tape to it to make it look like it was broken and taped back together. A busted wand is a sure sign that you're playing Ron Weasley.

  • 03 of 04

    Hermione Costume

    How-To Hermione Costume

    Warner Bros. Pictures

    Always the overachiever, Hermione would just love it if everyone dressed up as her! Her prep school outfit, indicative of the Gryffindor House, is easy to pull off with thrift store finds. 

    Clothing
    Hermione's clothing consists of a white button-down shirt and a black or gray sweater vest, a pleated black skirt, knee-high socks, and black dress shoes. Mary Janes round out her ensemble perfectly.

    Hair
    Hermione's hair is a little on the wild side, with crinkly locks that give her a just-out-of-the-shower look. To achieve this, rub a dime-sized amount of styling mousse on your hands and apply it to wet hair. Then, hang your head upside down and blow-dry your hair while scrunching groups of locks with your hand. Once dry, stand up straight and tame your hair into a nice Hermione volume with styling mousse.

    Wand
    Craft Hermione's wand as you would Harry Potter's. 

    Time Turner
    You can make your own time-turner out of wire, metal jewelry hoops, beads, and superglue.

  • 04 of 04

    Draco Malfoy Costume

    How-To Draco Malfoy Costume
    Warner Bros. Pictures

    Draco Malfoy is a mischievous bully and everyone's favorite bad boy. Dressed in the colors of the Slytherin House, Draco's attire shows his loyalty with a tie, scarf, and robe.

    Slytherin Scarf
    A green and silver Slytherin scarf is easy to pull off by hot-gluing pieces of felt together, similarly to the making of Harry Potter's scarf. If you can't find silver felt, gray works just as well.

    Slytherin Tie
    Start out with a green tie, and then stripe it up with silver enamel paint and a paintbrush. Fabric puff paints also work and add a bit of texture to the tie. Again, place a ruler against the tie to keep your lines straight.  

    Slytherin Robe
    A Slytherin robe can also be achieved with a black graduation robe. Paint the inside green with fabric paint for an authentic look.

    Clothing
    Find a white button-down shirt, a black or gray vest to wear over it, a pair of black slacks, and black dress shoes. 

    Hair
    Draco wears his platinum blond locks cut straight across his ears. This is typically known as the "bowl cut" because it can be achieved by sticking a bowl on the top of your head and cutting around it. For a younger Malfoy look, slick your hair back and to the left side. For an older Malfoy rendition, style your bangs with a little bit of gel to create a slight part at the center of your forehead, and then leave the bangs to hang in your eyes.

    If you don't have the right hair color, spring for a cheap blonde wig.

    Wand
    Follow the directions for Harry Potter's wand to make this added accessory.