17 unique 'Harry Potter' costume ideas to help you stand out on Halloween

The candy was famously introduced in the "Harry Potter" series by Ron Weasley, who explained that the jelly beans can range in flavor from chocolate to liver.

Bailey, a teacher who goes by Magic Wand Blonde on Instagram, turned the magical candies into a Halloween costume in 2019. To do the same, you can make a similar carton out of cardboard and duct tape, fill it with balloons as jelly beans, and then do your makeup to resemble the character on the front of the box.

She shared further instructions on Instagram.

One way to do so is by following in the footsteps of Brandy, who goes by SimplyPotterGirl on Instagram. She previously created a strapless, chocolate-frog-inspired dress made with fabric that resembles the blue-and-gold candy boxes seen in the "Harry Potter" films.

She also carried a wand, and wore a replica of the box — which can be purchased from the Wizarding World of Harry Potter theme parks — on her head.

Wizarding schools including the Durmstrang Institute and Beauxbatons Academy of Magic are introduced in "Harry Potter and the Goblet of Fire." Students from the schools are also seen in the film adaptation of the fourth novel, providing great inspiration for your next Halloween costume.

Cosplayer Our Shield Maiden recently dressed as a student from the latter school. To make a similar costume at home, you can pair a baby-blue dress with a short, matching shawl. From there, you'll need tights, short blue heels, and the school's signature hat.

Lauren, who goes by The Cosplay Historian online, previously showed what a member of Slytherin might wear in the 1930s. Her look included a floor-length velvet dress, a snake-shaped belt, small earrings, and a curled, bob hairstyle.

Of course, you can dress as a Hogwarts student from any decade for Halloween — like a Gryffindor student in the '80s, or a member of Hufflepuff in the '70s.

Honeydukes is one of the most recognizable stores from the series. Kat, who goes by @kathleezzzy on Instagram, created the perfect outfit to look like a clerk of the candy store in the '40s.

She wore a pink-and-white striped dress, short gloves, white sneakers with ankle socks, and feathers in her hair. She also carried a purse with the Honeydukes logo on it.

You can also take inspiration from other magical businesses like the Leaky Cauldron, Weasleys' Wizard Wheezes, Gringotts Wizarding Bank, and Ollivanders.

Moaning Myrtle is a fan-favorite ghost from the "Harry Potter" universe, but you don't often see people dressing as her on Halloween. Like Vicki, who goes by Magical Knitted Letter online, you can wear Ravenclaw robes and a white shirt to channel the character.

You'll also need to tie your hair into pigtails, and wear black-rimmed glasses. You might even want to wear gray or blue makeup to look more like a ghost. If you prefer a different ghoul, consider Nearly Headless Nick or The Bloody Baron.

While Hermione's Gryffindor robes are classic, you could put a unique twist on the costume by pairing them with cat-inspired makeup and a beaker filled with green juice — mirroring the "Harry Potter and the Chamber of Secrets" scene when Hermione drinks Polyjuice Potion and partially turns into a cat.

Cosplayer Aileen of Instagram account A Little Android did just that for a convention in 2019 using special-effects makeup. If you aren't skilled with prosthetics, you could also throw on a cat-ear headband, and draw whiskers across your face for a similar effect.

The Hogwarts professor is most widely recognized in her black robes and tall witch hat. However, she wears green robes with bell sleeves to the Yule Ball — and they make for an eye-catching Halloween look.

Sheila Echols-Smesny, who recently dressed as Professor McGonagall, created a step-by-step guide on her website for creating the costume at home. You'll need fabric, scissors, a sewing machine, and more.

Kiera Please, an influencer and cosplayer, dressed as the villain in July. But rather than wearing Lestrange's floor-length dress and skull-shaped necklace, she donned a velvet minidress with bell sleeves and a bow around the neckline.

For a similar look, pair your favorite, all-black ensemble with a wand, and the character's signature curly hairstyle.

Candes of The Wizarding Sibs on Instagram recently created this Gryffindor Quidditch look. It includes a maroon sweater, khaki pants, a Quidditch robe, combat boots, and goggles. She also carried a broomstick and a Quaffle ball.

Of course, there are numerous Quidditch positions to choose from, so you could dress as Seeker or Beater instead. You also could choose to dress as a Quidditch player from an international team — as mentioned in the fourth "Harry Potter" book — rather than one from a Hogwarts team.

At the time of writing, "thirst videos" inspired by Draco Malfoy are all over TikTok. That being said, costumes inspired by the character will probably be popular this Halloween — so you might want to dress as another member of the Malfoy family.

Zan, who goes by Baffling Basilisk on Instagram, can provide the perfect inspiration for such a costume. The cosplayer dressed as Lucius Malfoy, Draco's dad, using a black cloak, matching button-up, and a long, blonde wig. You'll also need a wand and silver skull mask for a similar costume.

In the "Harry Potter" universe, Boggarts are shape-shifting illusions that represent your biggest fear. Neville Longbottom's Boggart, for example, is Professor Snape dressed in his grandmother's clothes.

Last Halloween, Jamie Andrews replicated the look for his Halloween costume. You can do the same by utilizing a green skirt, tweed jacket, a bird-embellished hat, and an animal-shaped scarf.

Professor Sybill Trelawney is first introduced in the third "Harry Potter" book and movie. In the latter, she's known for reciting now-iconic lines like: "My dear, you have the Grimm!"

To channel the character on Halloween, follow the lead of Sarah Ryan Renner. She wore layered clothing, brown boots, a headscarf, and circular glasses to match the professor last year. She also carried a crystal ball.

An artist who goes by Joonuper online represented the character perfectly with her costume. She wore a knitted top, a floral smock, and her red hair in curls. She also carried a wand with her, just as the character does throughout the series.

Mandrakes are the noisy plants first introduced in Harry Potter's Herbology class. The roots of the plants are human-like, and began to shriek and cry when taken out out their planters — which can sometimes kill listeners.

Brenna Mazzoni, who goes by ArtByMazz on Instagram, dressed as one of the magical plants using makeup and fake leaves. She also painted a toy bin to look like a planter, which she was then able to sit inside.

Jen Kayna and her family did just that on Hallowen in 2019. Jen dressed as Professor Sprout — complete with a blonde wig and witch hat — and other members of her family went as Neville Longbottom and a Mandrake plant.

Caro of Lotti_Cosplay on Instagram created a unique look when she dressed as a Patronus, or a defensive charm that protects wizards against Dementor creatures. Some Patronuses take the shape of animals — like Harry Potter's, which is a stag.

You could dress as your favorite character's Patronus on Halloween, or you could create your own. You'll simply need some blue makeup, temporary hair color, and an all-white outfit to achieve the look.

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