Haven't you heard? It's Strega Nona fall! A few weeks ago, a TikTok declaring autumn 2024 "Strega Nona fall" went viral, spawning a resurgence of the beloved children's book character.
If you're still searching for a last-minute Halloween get-up, look no further than an DIY Strega Nona costume, as seen on TikTok creator @janachronism. Not only is it easy to snag all of the necessary pieces on Amazon, but we're pretty sure you likely already have a lot of 'em lying around your kitchen and closet!
In case it's been a while since you've read Tomie de Paola's 1975 classic, Strega Nona — which translates to "Grandma Witch" in Italian — is a Calabrian healer known for her magical pasta pot. When her assistant Big Anthony secretly attempts to use it, he accidentally botches the spell, causing their small town to flood with noodles. Luckily, Strega Nona comes to the rescue and averts disaster — while teaching Big Anthony a lesson in the process, of course.
Danni Capalbo, who coined "Strega Nona fall," told People she was inspired by the book's "warm and cozy" qualities and the titular character's love of pasta. "Everyone had their big fun summer," she said in an interview with the New York Times. "Now you just want to be cozy and make pasta from your magic pasta pot."
When it comes to channeling your inner Strega Nona, Capalbo told People that the "starter pack" includes "a cauldron and a head scarf and a good apron...and brown. Everything brown!"
To nail this look, start with the apron and head scarf, which are easily Strega Nona's most recognizable elements. While Strega sports a white scarf in the book, you could try a brighter option if you're craving a fun pop of color. And when it comes to a Strega Nona-appropriate apron, choose one with ruffles or pleats. The option we found is adjustable and it even has pockets.
Once you have your accessories nailed down, pair them with a long skirt or dress in a brown shade. While we rounded up skirts, dresses and even a knit green sweater vest similar to the one Strega Nona sports in the books, feel free to layer on any muted tones you have in your closet. After all, late fall nights can get chilly!
Strega Nona Costume Essentials
RIIQIICHY Hair Scarf
Hyzrz Ruffled Adjustable Apron
Scarlet Darkness Maxi Skirt
Zeagoo Oversized Sweater Vest
Boyiee Head Scarf 5-Pack
KitchenAid Bamboo Wooden Spoon
Imusa 8 Quart Stainless Steel Stock Pot
Lion Brand Yarn Cream Yarn
This Strega Nona costume inspo is just a starting point. The best part? It's all available on Amazon, so if you use your Prime account, everything should arrive just time for your Halloween festivities.
For the finishing touch, don't forget to raid your kitchen for a wooden spoon and a pasta pot to stand in for Strega's cauldron. If you're feeling extra crafty this Halloween, unravel a skein or two of cream-colored yarn to resemble Strega Nona's cooked pasta. Otherwise, your pasta pot can easily double as a place to stow the candy your kiddo scores while trick-or-treating.
Madison McGee is a commerce editor at Hearst Magazines. For the past year, she has contributed shopping content, gift guides, product testing, and deals coverage across Hearst’s portfolio, which includes Good Housekeeping, Women’s Health, Men's Health, House Beautiful, Elle, Town and Country, Esquire, Country Living, Oprah Daily, and more. Prior to joining Hearst, she was a staff writer at BuzzFeed and worked in book publishing. Madison is a graduate of the University of Mississippi’s journalism program, and holds a Masters in Publishing from New York University. When she’s not scouting out the best deals, she can be found reading, cheering on the Baltimore Ravens, or exploring New York City’s indie bookstores.
