I've passed the last week in the deepest throes of a Potter bender. For those that don't know, Harry Potter is a long-lived obsession with me (for the last 12 years! That's longer than I've been friends with most of my friends!). So in anticipation for the final movie, I went to a week long octuple feature of the first 7 movies, leading up to the midnight premiere of the final movie. And in between these viewings, I started re-reading Sorcerer's Stone. And I spent an obscene amount of time dissecting the films and books with the Fred to my George, Maggie.
Now the thing to understand is that this was my first time seeing most of the earlier movies since I've become a true, college-educated, professionally employed costumista (and my first time seeing them on the big screen since they were released!). And my eyes saw them differently this time around. (Gilderoy Lockhart's Regency inspired robes--genius!) And I experienced a bit of costume coveting. And I made a decision about Halloween. Yes, already. It's never too soon.
I'm going as Madam Hooch in her Quidditch referee outfit from the Sorcerer's Stone movie. Not an obvious choice, certainly, but I just love this costume--and I can't quite quantify what I like about. Perhaps it's my secret desire to be great at Quidditch. Or perhaps because it's so black-and-white and crisp! And I genuinely appreciate that it's a bit obscure.
Of course, the trouble with picking an obscure costume is that it's harder to find research. If you're going to make a Harry costume or a Hermione, it's likely that someone has blazed a path already and blogged somewhere about their troubles and triumphs. But I've only found a couple really accurate Madam Hooch referee cosplays--and those were only pictures. No information. And there are few publicity photos of the actual costume. And only one that shows the costume below the waist.
So I dusted off the Sorcerer's Stone DVD and watched the approximately 2 minutes during which the costume is on screen. Backwards and forwards. At regular speed and various slow speeds. Over and over again. Then, at last, did a rough sketch.
What I gleaned was this: it's a white collared shirt, black tie with a Hogwarts crest pin (or patch--I'm going with pin because a patch on a tie looks awkward), a black vest with white edging (and a watch chain that's going to give me trouble, I just know it), black wide leg capris, Quidditch shin and arm pads, Quidditch gloves, black lace-up ankle boots (possibly they're oxfords, but I'm going with boots because that's what I'd wear if I was on a broomstick), a black robe with white lining, white striped bell-shaped sleeves and a Hogwarts crest patch (the robe is the same body-shape as the Hogwarts student robes but with big, crazy, striped sleeves), and a boatswain's whistle. And a wig and goggles. And maybe contact lenses (I need to find out if I can get them in prescription. Or I'll be blind).
Now, as I look at that list, it looks like rather a lot, but it's really quite do-able. The hardest bits are the Quidditch pads, the watch chain, and finding a decent looking wig. I already own a white shirt, black tie, and black pants. I also have a pair of old welding goggles that look quite accurate--or will, with a bit of silver paint.
Updates to come as things progress!
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