God loves you, but not enough to save you So, baby girl, good luck taking care of yourself. - Ethel Cain, "Sun Bleached Flies"
TJ Maxx just keeps on giving.
More Betsey Johnson skulls!
Darkher Playlist
Darkher blends thundering guitars, stormy strings, and the ethereal vocals of Jayn Maiven for gothic rock-infused dark folk.
You never know what you’re gonna find at TJ Maxx.
I had found the It Luggage skulls in black, but not red!
Looking for Spooky Wine at Hyvee and World Market.
Just when you think it's about wrapped for the year, spooky bags appear at Marshalls!
Building a Witchy Capsule Wardrobe
The idea of witches has been haunting humankind across continents for centuries. What began as a real-life hysteria that resulted in countless deaths has been reclaimed over time, celebrated in popular television shows (Charmed, Bewitched, Chilling Adventures of Sabrina) and movies (The Craft, Practical Magic, Kiki's Delivery Service), and even becoming a family-friendly Halloween tradition. Though things like witch trials and witch hunts sound like absurd concepts from a distant and radically ignorant time, in reality accusations of witchcraft continue to be taken seriously in multiple countries to this day. But for those of us lucky enough to live without fear of being criminally accused of collaborating with the devil, we can now have a little fun with the "witch" label.
Unsurprisingly, musicians have long embraced the witchy look. Fleetwood Mac frontwoman Stevie Nicks is probably considered by most to have the ultimate witchy rock star aesthetic, complete with an on-stage style of billowing bell sleeves and a discography full of supernatural songs. But it doesn't end there. Florence Welch's ethereal closet of flowing vintage gowns prompted Rolling Stone to describe her as "the Stevie Nicks of the Twilight generation," while Kate Bush has created a style and sound that has inspired many a "is Kate Bush a witch?" Google search. Lorde's predominantly black wardrobe and unconventional movements have also garnered plenty of discussion. "People keep asking me what I will be for Halloween and my answer is that I am Halloween," she once tweeted.
Though the most common visual presentation of a witch involves a green-skinned woman in a pointy hat riding a broom, a modern witchy wardrobe is decidedly more stylish. With a combination of flowy chiffons, lustrous velvets, chunky knits, tough leathers, delicate silks, and intricate lace fabrics, it's a look that is made all the more impactful due to its layers and textures. A little goth, a little bohemian, a little mystical - a witchy wardrobe can be a fun and spooky style to wear year-round, not just in October. If parsing the look down to a capsule-worthy fifteen pieces, these are the witchy essentials.
Whether it's got billowing layers of ruffles or a sleek, simple cut; whether it's a dress adorned with the most dramatic bell sleeves or a shoulder-baring style with no sleeves at all, the black maxi dress is probably the quintessential witchy garment. And while pretty details can be enticing, don't overlook the potential of a basic black maxi. Though it may appear plain on its own, treat it like a canvas onto which you can create endless accessorizing opportunities. Top it with a velvet jacket, wrap it in a chunky belt, or pair it with some lace-up boots, and you've upgraded that nondescript dress and turned it into the ideal witchy outfit.
Pictured above, left to right: R.Vivimos Cotton Backless Dress Eleter V-Neck Lace Romper Dress Amoretu Long Sleeve Off Shoulder Dress Punk Rave Lace Split Sleeve Dress
Perhaps the most extravagant item in any witchy wardrobe is an ornate kimono. It's all in the details: look for fringe, beading, embroidery, sequins, or scalloped lace hems. This is a piece where embellishment is key, so don't go for understated!
Pictured above, left to right: Bsubseach Lace Crochet Open Front Kimono PrettyGuide Beaded Fringed Oversized Shawl Genovega Burnout Velvet Kimono Cardigan FINCATI Eyelash Lace Oversized Kimono Robe
The little black dress is a staple for many women, and that's no different when it comes to a witchy one. When you're wanting to wear a dress but don't want quite as much coverage as a maxi provides, a midi, mini, or cocktail-length LBD fits the bill. And if you're wanting to add a little color to your closet, feel free! Deep burgundy, rich purple, and earthy olive green will mix in easily.
Pictured above, left to right: Inorin Velvet V Neck Bell Sleeve Dress VIVICASLTE Flare Bell Sleeve Mini Dress LAI MENG FIVE CATS Faux Leather Dress MISSLOOK Loose Tunic V Neck Ruffle Dress
Stevie Nicks wouldn't settle for bland outerwear, and neither should you. This is another opportunity to add some eye-catching details to your wardrobe: take things in an edgy rock 'n' roll direction with a motorcycle jacket, keep it romantic with a soft velvet blazer, or go for a unique, structured cape.
Pictured above, left to right: R.Vivimos Ruffled Asymmetric Velvet Jacket Chouyatou Studded Faux Leather Biker Jacket Futurino Open Front Velvet Jacket ASMAX Open Front Longline Blazer Cape
Modernize a vintage-inspired blouse, or juxtapose an oversized top effortlessly with a pair of black skinny jeans or leggings. Keep it basic, or elevate them by choosing fun fabrics like velvet and faux leather, or cool details like corset lacing and patterned designs.
Pictured above, left to right: Signature by Levi Strauss & Co. Skinny Jean Tagoo Faux Leather Leggings Dearlovers Lace Up Front Leggings Cemi Ceri J2 Love Velvet Leggings
Can you really call it a witchy wardrobe if you don't have at least one garment you can dramatically swoop around in? A drapey, oversized top pairs perfectly with leggings and skinny jeans, and creates quite a striking silhouette. Look for loose batwing sweaters and asymmetrical, cape-like tops.
Pictured above, left to right: Vivicastle Loose Batwing Dolman Tunic Exlura Off Shoulder Batwing Sweater PRETTYGARDEN Asymmetrical Shirt BELONGSCI Balloon Sleeve V-Neck Blouse
Another versatile, witchy staple is the black maxi skirt. Whether you dress it up with a silky tank or heels, or dress it down with a band tee and boots, it will work for almost any season or situation.
Pictured above, left to right: Lock and Love High Waist Maxi Skirt HEYHUN Boho Lace Maxi Skirt [BLANKNYC] Vegan Leather Maxi Skirt BCBGMAXAZRIA Pleated Maxi Skirt
A delicate lace shirt works beautifully in any witchy wardrobe, especially when the dainty, vintage aspect of the fabric is contrasted against something decidedly more modern, like a leather jacket or skinny jean. Whether it's a summer-appropriate crop top or a turtleneck sweater with lacey puffed sleeves, the lace shirt is practically a witchy prerequisite.
Pictured above, left to right: Grabsa Scalloped Sheer Floral Lace Blouse Floerns High Neck Lace Lantern Sleeve Blouse Tobrief Sheer Mesh Lace Peplum Top MakeMeChic Scallop Trim Lace Crop Top
Who doesn't love a good graphic tee? This casual basic can be incorporated into a witchy wardrobe with ease, especially if its print features subject matter involving paganism, witchcraft, astrology, tarot, voodoo, or the occult.
Pictured above, left to right: Witchy Woman T-Shirt Mortus Viventi Lovers Tarot Card T-Shirt Goth Moth and Crescent Moon T-Shirt Marie Laveau New Orleans Voodoo T-Shirt
No other shoe style fits a witchy look better than the lace-up boot. Add a grunge touch with some chunky combat boots, make it sexy with buckle-adorned snakeskin, or go all out with some thigh-highs to peak out from under a lace maxi dress.
Pictured above, left to right: Allegra K Platform Chunky Lace-Up Boots Forever Over-The-Knee Boots MACKIN J Pointed Toe Buckle Boots Dr. Martens Heeled Kendra Boots
Keep the pointy hat in the costume drawer, and make a wide-brimmed fedora your new classic. It's great for staying spooky while keeping the sun out of your eyes at the same time. ;)
Pictured above, left to right: Restyle Wool Witch Hat Lanzom Wide Brim Fedora Clecibor Woolen Felt Fedora Lanzom Classic Wide Brim Panama Hat
You can change the entire vibe of an outfit just by changing your tights. Make it sweet with florals, cosmic with stars and moons, or turn heads with gothic crosses, pentagrams and serpents. If funky patterns aren't your thing, go for a more simple sheer or fishnet style.
Pictured above, left to right: Leg Avenue Celestial Fishnet Tights Leg Avenue Snake Fishnet Tights Leg Avenue Cross Fishnet Tights Leg Avenue Pentagram Fishnet Tights
PAGAN NECKLACE
Make a statement with a nature-inspired necklace. Keep things earth-oriented with colorful geodes, animal skulls and taxidermy pendants, but why stop at just one? Layer on the crystals on chains of various lengths to complete the look.
Pictured above, left to right: MJartoria Moon Pentagram Necklace Set YOOE Crow Skull Necklace Restyle Moon Phases Long Necklace Bivei Wire Wrap Quartz Crystal Necklace
CHUNKY BELT
Few things can alter the look of an outfit as much as the addition of a belt. Define the waist of a flowy dress with a wide one, or add Victorian-esque details with a corset style lace-up variation.
Pictured above, left to right: GRACE KARIN Lace-Up Corset Belt Calvin Klein Linen Stretch Belt KOL Fashion Lace Elastic Corset Belt Syuer Retro Cinch Belt
GOTHIC MAKEUP
Now that you've got a witchy wardrobe, add the finishing touches via your make-up choices. Create a smoky eye with a cool-toned neutral eyeshadow palette, then add lip and nail colors in shades of burgundy and black. Voila! You're one witchy woman!
Pictured above, left to right: Lime Crime Venus Immortalis Palette MAC Satin Lipstick in Cyber OPI Nail Lacquer in Black Onyx Wet N Wild Rebel Rose Makeup Box Set
My favorite find from Halloween hunting at Ross Dress for Less. Check my TikTok to see if you spot anything you like better: https://www.tiktok.com/@theheadlesscrow/video/7132822183533071662
Carmilla
But dreams come through stone walls, light up dark rooms, or darken light ones, and their persons make their exits and their entrances as they please, and laugh at locksmiths. Before there was Dracula, there was Carmilla. A short 1872 novel by Irish author Joseph Thomas Sheridan Le Fanu, Carmilla is an important contribution to classic horror, both by being an early work of vampire fiction, and for featuring a lesbian vampire at that! It's an extremely fast read, so I guess it's fitting that it has a disappointingly abrupt ending to match that brisk pace. I appreciate its audacity, and I recommend it more for its historical significance than my enjoyment from reading it.
Cracker Barrel Ghost with Lantern: How I Finally Got It!
Here we are. A year of anticipation has led to this. A restaurant chain with an old time southern theme, more known for its country comfort food than its Halloween decor, has everybody clamoring over a ghost statue.
A little primer for anybody who somehow avoided this event: Cracker Barrel officially unveiled this piece last year to instant acclaim. Immediately, it was one of the most coveted items of the year. And each Cracker Barrel store got exactly … one. What was perhaps the most sought after piece during Halloween hunting season 2021 was nearly impossible to get your hands on.
By the time I even knew it existed, my store had sold their single ghost two days prior. An employee kindly offered to add me to a list they’d use to inform us ghost crazies when more came in, but more never arrived. One ghost was all that they were getting.
Despite my defeat, as any professional Halloween shopper can probably relate, the hunt lived on in my heart. Throughout the year, my mind would occasionally wander back to that ghost, and hope next year Cracker Barrel would come prepared.
In June, I started dropping in once a week to keep an eye out for signs of the ghost. To my surprise, when I first walked in to ask when they were getting Halloween in, I was greeted by the spooky sounds of a pumpkin’s audio track. “I came in to ask when you’d have Halloween, and you already do!”
Two helpful employees knew exactly what I was talking about when I asked if they were going to have “the ghost” again, and filled me in on what day of the week the truck arrives. A few weeks later, another told me the same thing, and to call in the morning the day after so they could hold it for me when it showed up.
I’ve heard stories about Cracker Barrel employees being rude to others trying to chase down the ghost. And though I thankfully did not experience that myself, I did notice that employees became increasingly difficult to find on the floor. One saw me checking out the Halloween section, and immediately disappeared into the back, never to return. One made eye contact with me and promptly vanished. Another saw me begin to walk toward her, turned on her heel … and ghosted me. I guess my Halloween t-shirt attire in June made me look like the kind of ghost-loving nut who should be avoided.
While the chance of nabbing a ghost in-store was still feeling tenuous, I kept an eye on Cracker Barrel’s online store. Last year, they released small batches of ghosts a few times throughout the season. I was hoping to luck out this year and check at the exact right time.
On July 6th, I noticed Halloween was beginning to pop up online. More items trickled in throughout the evening. And though I was especially tired this night, I stayed up. I just had a feeling (or a hope?) that this was my shot. Finally, at a little after 2 am, my hunch was proven correct. The “resin ghost with lantern” was online and in stock.
With adrenaline flowing, I nervously added it to cart and checked out as fast as I possibly could. And it worked! I wasn’t greeted with a “sorry, this item is sold out” message. I made it to the page confirming my order, then an email confirmation followed. The ghost was mine!
Supposedly. I still spent the following day checking my email more than usual, worried my order would be canceled.
But it wasn’t. A shipping confirmation arrived just a little over a day later. And though I was relieved to be one step closer, it still didn’t ease my mind. Now ahead of it was the journey to me. It had to make it to me in one piece.
My heart was hammering when a big box from Cracker Barrel arrived a few days later. And after carefully unboxing it, I could finally say the words I was too nervous to believe before: I had the ghost.
If you were also ghost hunting, I hope you were successful. If not, I hope next year is easier. I heard reports of stores getting 2, 6, 12 in. After last year’s debacle, I expected Cracker Barrel to be more prepared this time. I thought they’d load themselves up with so many ghosts, they’d still be trying to get rid of them in the spring. I never imagined that after so much demand, they’d increase supply so flimsily.
This ghost is an absolutely gorgeous piece, and clearly a beloved design within the spooky community. It deserves to get into the hands of the people who want it.