Wizardbounding 1950’s McGonagall

After finishing my McGonagall costume last year, a mountain of a project, I had a lot of spare olive fabric, both striped and pintucked. When we made plans to run a half marathon in Orlando, we also made plans to visit Wizarding World of Harry Potter. I wasn’t sure wizardbounding was a thing, but I knew I had to wear a costume in this magical place, and a 1950’s McGonagall reimagining felt the most natural to me.

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McGonagall’s Yule Ball robes from Harry Potter and the Goblet of Fire are so distinct, but not practical for a theme park. Even so, I wanted the dramatic aesthetic to carry over in a more modern outfit, and I wanted to blend in with muggles but stand out in a crowd.

The 1950’s silhouette is the most flattering on my figure, so I decided a midi length circle skirt would be the easiest and most versatile piece. Borrowing elements from my Yule Ball costume, I wanted to translate the black underdress to the front panel, flanked by olive pintucked fabric. I also cut a triangle of pintucked fabric for the back below the waist. The rest of the fabric in the circle skirt is striped and unpintucked.

Pattern: Simplicity Dog and Cat Print Retro Skirt Sewing Pattern for Women, Sizes 14-22

The skirt was a very fast build, and I had a lot of fun with easy to find accessories on Amazon and Etsy. The top is a lightweight versatile blouse that can be worn with this costume and with muggle clothing as well.

Shirt: ROMWE Women’s Solid Casual Short Sleeve Ruffle Trim Bow Tie Blouse Top Shirts Black M

The belt is borrowed from my McGonagall costume and paired well with the circle skirt. I also found a black leather wand holder on Etsy that my wine barrel wand (yes, you read that right) fit perfectly into.

Lace obi belt: Lovful Women’s Bowknot Lace Self Tie Belts Obi Waist Band Cinch Wide Boho Belt,Black

Wand holder: Leather Wand Holder (black, reptile)

The little witch hat I found on Amazon, though not as tall and dramatic as McGonagall’s, was still sassy and darling. It almost looks like the blue hats the Beauxbatons wore, but this is more symetrical. I used spare pintucked fabric for a band, and made a cockade with black ribbon and a silver button. The feathers in McGonagall’s other (not Yule Ball) hats are pheasant, and I had surplus pheasant feathers in my stash from a prior project.

Hat: Fekey&JF Women’s Witch Kinitted-Wool Hats,for Halloween Party Masquerade Cosplay Costume Accessory and Daily Black

Feathers: Outuxed 15pcs Natural Pheasant Tail Feathers for Crafts Pheasant Tails 12-14inch(30-35cm) Party Decorations

Since I didn’t have the forethought to include pockets in my circle skirt, I searched for a proper purse to carry my things in the park…and holy animagus, I found the cutest cat purse on Amazon for less than $20!! For extra sass, I added lace and bows to a pair of short satin gloves, and grabbed close knit fishnet tights from my underthings drawer.

Cat purse: SUKUTU Womens Girls Cute Cat Top Handle bags Cross Body Shoulder Purses Handbags

Gloves: BABEYOND Short Satin Gloves Opera Wedding Gloves Special Occasion Gloves Wrist Length Gloves for Party Costume (Black)

Fishnet tights: 5 Pairs Fishnet Cross Mesh Stockings Fishnet Tights Fishnet Pantyhose for Women (Black)

Walking into Wizarding World for the first time, and in costume, was magical indeed! The excitement on our faces must’ve shown, because a kind gentleman gave us his Express Passes for one of the rides, which meant the world to us grown up kids (thank you again, kind sir!). We also enjoyed butterbeer, a wand demonstration, and a ride on the Hogwarts Express. What a day!