Rubie's Witch Broom Costume Accessory
I know what you’re thinking. A witch’s favorite accessory? Surely that has to be her broomstick. Not only is it the most practical accessory, helping them get around and all, but it also adds the finishing touch to a witch’s outfit for the night. Or is it the iconic conical hat? Some witches of today might argue that’s an outdated look. Actually, the witch’s most important accessory might just be a piece of jewelry infused with magical properties serving them with the necessary protections, spells, and energy to carry out their witchy activities. If you’re anything like me, this time of year reignites the obsession with all things witchy aesthetics and fashion. When I think of jewelry typically associated with this kind of look, what comes to mind are pieces that are not only visually appealing, but that usually have some sort of purpose or greater story to tell. This is especially true when thinking about heirloom jewelry and the enchanted histories they may hold. This may be why vintage and antique-style pieces are so closely associated with witchy fashion. Additionally, jewelry created with gemstones, herbs, and crystals are often believed to provide something to the wearer or be used to alter the world around them. Samantha Robinson as Elaine in The Love Witch (2016) After watching The Love Witch (2016) directed by Anna Biller, I could not stop thinking about the costumes (also designed by Biller) for days afterward. Particularly the large ornate pendant necklaces that could be seen worn by Elaine throughout the film. I began thinking about the role jewelry plays in our lives and the magical properties it may bring. In the early history of jewelry, personal adornments were used for more than elevating a look. Frequently and across cultures, they were believed to provide some sort of mystical function, usually in the form of protection from sickness and evil. These protections were given through certain natural materials or symbols. Talismans and amulets, for example, have existed for thousands of years. In ancient Egypt , amulets usually depicted symbols or were made with specific materials that may have been believed to give them powers or protections. Today, we still find ourselves wearing jewelry for the potential effect it can have on our external or internal realities. The use of gemstones and crystals has risen in popularity amongst those who practice spell work and even those not interested in witchcraft at all. Typically, we see them being made in various forms of jewelry like necklaces and rings, allowing us to keep them closer to ourselves. There is a certain allure, that goes back to ancient civilizations, in the possibility of a stone providing us with something intangible. Things like self-confidence, good luck, peace, prosperity, and so on. Red teardrop necklace and silver moonstone pendant In designing the costumes for The Love Witch, every detail in the wardrobe and set design was carefully considered. The jewelry is no exception here. One of the necklaces that Elaine wears at various points throughout the film features a large oval silver pendant with a moonstone gem at its center. Biller chose it as it is a stone associated with the occult . A stone reminiscent of a shimmering full moon, the moonstone carries with it various folklores. It is said to symbolize femininity, emotional balance, and embracing new beginnings , themes we see show up in this film. Elaine wears a few different necklaces featuring large red jewels. All close to the heart, possibly symbolizing her deep desire for real love. Towards the end of the story, she wears a heavy, teardrop-shaped, blood-red pendant that seems to be glowing within a gold intricately designed metal setting. I audibly gasped when it appeared on screen. Each of these dramatic necklaces Elaine wears throughout the film gives her a certain energy and is present when she performs her love potion rituals. They provide insight into where she is in her journey of finding love while also helping us better understand the internal battles she is facing. The Love Witch tells a story about femininity that differs from what has typically been told in the history of film. The clothing and makeup Elaine wears all display femininity not as a way to cater to the male gaze, but as a tool for empowerment and escape. Internally, Elaine is heartbroken. She has worked so hard trying to align with every version of a woman society expects her to portray in order to be deserving of true love, all leading to disappointment. It seems that whichever way a woman chooses to express herself, it always ends up being wrong. These large protective jewels are used to counteract this, representing where her power truly lies: her craft. A historically feminine endeavor, these necklaces evoke the practice of witchcraft. Jewelry and fashion, typically considered frivolous due to their associations with femininity, are in turn used here to subvert that idea. As symbols of power, the idea of femininity and the traits associated become powerful instead of something to be looked down upon. The necklaces also become a symbol of Elaine’s newfound power within this practice of witchcraft. She is no longer taking the abuse placed on her by a patriarchal society, she has now taken control. To her, these large charms play a necessary role in the confidence and magical power needed to achieve her imagined future. They may also provide comfort in dealing with the past traumas inflicted on her by men of her past that ultimately led her to where she is today. Another gorgeous glowing red pendant via The Cut There can be a sort of magic in wearing a piece of jewelry we feel confident in. A transformative power consisting of self-expression. I personally can’t leave the house without wearing my rings. On those days I forget them I simply do not feel like myself, that sense of comfort they provide me is missing. When there are days, I’m not feeling well or confident, I know putting on my favorite jewelry will make it all better. There lies the true magical properties of jewelry. A bright big bold pendant is more than an accessory it is a tool for empowerment expressed in our individual ways. Although you may not be a witch casting spells on your jewelry to provide you protection or to give you the ability of bewitching men, there is a certain power in wearing pieces of jewelry that evoke feelings of comfort or confidence in its wearer. And who knows? Maybe it is possible that gemstones and herbs imbued in our accessories can alter the world around us. It’s all in the details. Either way, I feel that jewelry can certainly have a powerful, otherworldly effect on the way we carry ourselves and present who we are to the world. Cart