There are few things more reliable than the first slight chill in the air. Suddenly, October arrives, the evenings get darker, the telly gets infinitely better and, for reasons I can’t quite explain, dressing like a woman who owns several spell books starts to feel completely reasonable.
We have a lot to thank pop culture for. Practical Magic 2 has brought the Owens sisters back into our lives, while American Horror Story is returning with another coven-shaped chapter. Apparently, when the clocks go back, so does our collective desire to dress like we might know a thing or two about the supernatural.
Of course, witchy dressing is hardly new. Fashion has been borrowing from the gothic wardrobe for decades, from pointy boots and sweeping black dresses to lace, leather and hats with enough brim to conceal your entire identity. But this season, the codes are creeping further into the mainstream. And honestly, if October is going to be dark by 4pm, we may as well dress accordingly.
The autumn/winter ‘26 runways were already making a convincing case for the modern witch before most of us had even found the Halloween decorations. At Lanvin, oversized hats gave certain looks a distinctly spell-casting quality, while Maison Margiela went full eerie with its Anonymity collection, where masks and Edwardian silhouettes took over the catwalk.
Then there was Rick Owens, who really needs no introduction when it comes to making clothes for women who look like they could either attend fashion week or curse a man who has wronged them. His autumn/winter ‘26 collection leaned into the dark glamour that has long been synonymous with the designer.
And now those codes are spilling off the runway and onto the street. The point isn't to look like you're heading to a Halloween party. It's about taking the bits that make the aesthetic work - lace, leather, black, and dramatic shapes - and folding them into an otherwise normal wardrobe.
If you want to tap into the look without looking like you’ve just walked off the set of Hocus Pocus, start with a voluminous black midi skirt. The puffier the better, whether that means gathered or softly ballooned, if we can learn anything from the runways the shape does most of the work for you.
Keep everything else relatively simple: a fitted black knit or cardigan on top, then add boots to give the look that slightly sharper finish. If you’d rather stay firmly on flat ground, swap the heel for a pair of lace-up shoes. The final piece to have in your arsenal is a black lace top. Worn underneath a simple cardigan, with just the sleeves and neckline peeking through.
The good news is you don't need a designer budget or a broom. From high street finds at AllSaints and & Other Stories to investment pieces from the likes of Rick Owens, there are plenty of ways to tap into the trend. Whether you want to go full gothic or just add a little lace to your everyday autumn wardrobe, these are the pieces worth shopping now.
Shop: Witchy Pieces
Renee Washington, Grazia's digital fashion and beauty writer, lives online. With a penchant for wispy lashes and streetwear, she writes about the worlds of fashion and beauty from the viewpoint of the modern fashion girlie.
Main Image Credit: Getty Images