It is 1993. You’re watching a Disney movie about three executed witches coming back to life in Salem, and suddenly, there is a mid-movie musical number at a town hall party. But we aren't talking about Bette Midler’s iconic "I Put a Spell on You" performance. We’re talking about the background. Specifically, the moment Sarah Sanderson, played by Sarah Jessica Parker, gets a little too close to a man dressed as a bus. But wait—look at the parents. Look at the partygoers. There she is. The Hocus Pocus Madonna costume.
It’s a blink-and-you’ll-miss-it moment that became a cult fashion obsession.
Dani and Max’s mom, Jenny Dennison (played by Stephanie Faracy), shows up to the party wearing the "Blonde Ambition" era Jean Paul Gaultier cone bra. It’s hilarious. It’s awkward. It is peak 90s suburban mom trying to be "edgy" for a costume contest. While the Sanderson sisters wear 17th-century velvet and grime, Jenny is rocking gold polyester and a high ponytail. This single costume choice did more than just provide a laugh; it anchored the movie in a very specific cultural zeitgeist that resonates even harder today.
The Story Behind the Cone Bra in Salem
Why Madonna? Honestly, in 1993, there was no bigger pop culture target. Madonna’s Blonde Ambition tour had wrapped a few years prior, but the image of that gold conical corset was burned into the collective retina of the world. Costume designer Mary Vogt, who did the incredible work on Hocus Pocus, had to find a way to make the "boring" parents look like they were actually trying to have fun while their kids were literally fighting for their souls.
Vogt’s genius was in the contrast.
You have the heavy, textured, historical costumes of Winifred, Sarah, and Mary. Then you have the flimsy, mass-produced look of a 1990s Halloween party. Jenny Dennison’s Hocus Pocus Madonna costume wasn't meant to look high-fashion. It was meant to look like something a mom bought at a seasonal shop or stayed up late sewing together with some cardboard and gold fabric. It’s relatable. Who hasn't tried to pull off a "sexy" or "iconic" look only to end up looking slightly stiff while holding a plastic cup of punch?
The costume consists of a few key pieces:
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- The gold conical bustier (the centerpiece).
- Black leggings or tight pants.
- A high, slicked-back blonde ponytail with a wrap.
- The headset microphone.
That microphone is the kicker. It’s the detail that says, "I'm not just a singer; I'm a performer." In the film, when the parents are cursed to dance until they die (or at least until the sun comes up), the sight of a suburban mom in a cone bra doing the "Vogue" movements is a perfect piece of visual comedy.
Why We Are Still Obsessed With This Look
Fashion is cyclical, sure, but Hocus Pocus nostalgia is a different beast entirely. We see thousands of Winifred Sandersons every October. They are everywhere. But the Hocus Pocus Madonna costume is for the "if you know, you know" crowd. It’s a meta-costume. You aren't just dressing as Madonna; you’re dressing as a character from a movie who is dressing as Madonna.
That layers the irony.
There is also the sheer bravery of the silhouette. In the early 90s, the cone bra was a symbol of female empowerment and sexual agency. Seeing it on a "Disney Mom" was a cheeky nod to the parents in the audience. It suggested that Jenny Dennison had a life before she moved to Salem to bore her teenagers to death. It gave her character a flash of personality without a single line of dialogue about her wardrobe.
The DIY Appeal
Let’s be real. Buying a high-quality replica of the Jean Paul Gaultier corset is expensive. But making a Hocus Pocus Madonna costume? That’s accessible. It’s a craft project.
People use:
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- Stiff felt or foam sheets rolled into cones.
- Metallic gold spray paint or spandex fabric.
- A basic black corset or even a gold sports bra as a base.
The imperfection is the point. If it looks too good, you’re just Madonna. If it looks a little DIY, you’re Jenny Dennison from Hocus Pocus. That distinction matters to the hardcore fans who congregate at conventions and themed screenings.
The Cultural Impact of the Dennison Parents
Most people focus on the witches. I get it. Bette Midler is a force of nature. But the movie is really about the clash between the ancient and the modern. The Hocus Pocus Madonna costume represents the "modern" side of that coin. While the witches are confused by paved roads and "black top," the parents are living in a world of pop icons and MTV.
It’s also worth noting that the dad, Richard Dennison, is dressed as Dracula—but like, a very low-effort, "I’m just here for the beer" Dracula. This pairing is legendary. The high-effort pop star mom and the low-effort classic monster dad. It’s a dynamic that hasn't changed in thirty years of Halloween history.
How to Nail the Hocus Pocus Madonna Costume Today
If you’re planning on hitting a party this year and want to stand out from the sea of Sanderson sisters, this is the route to go. But you have to get the "mom energy" right.
First, the hair. It can’t be a messy ponytail. It has to be that tight, "I used a whole bottle of Dep hair gel" 90s ponytail. If you don't have a literal hair wrap, use a thick gold scrunchie. Second, the headset. Don't carry a hand-held mic. Madonna was the queen of the hands-free headset because she had to choreograph. Jenny Dennison knows this.
Pro Tip: If you want to go full "Screen Accurate," you need a slightly bewildered expression. You’re supposed to be under a spell, remember? You’re dancing because a witch told you to, not because you actually want to do the "Vogue" for six hours straight.
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The Evolution of the Look
Interestingly, the Hocus Pocus Madonna costume has seen a resurgence on platforms like TikTok and Instagram. Cosplayers are now recreating the specific "party" scenes from the movie. We’ve seen a shift from people wanting to be the "hero" of a story to people wanting to be the "vibe" of a story. Jenny in her cone bra is a vibe.
It’s a costume that celebrates the weirdness of the 90s. It reminds us of a time when Disney movies could be a little bit suggestive, a little bit scary, and a whole lot of camp. The fact that Jean Paul Gaultier’s design—something meant for the runways of Paris and the stages of international stadiums—ended up as a plot point in a Salem town hall party is just peak cinema.
Misconceptions About the Outfit
A common mistake? People think she’s just dressed as "a singer." No. The movie is very specific. This is the Like a Virgin medley look from the tour. Some fans also confuse the movie version with the real-life stage version. The movie version is actually a bit more modest. Jenny wears a black top under the gold cones, or the cones are integrated into a more "suburban-friendly" bodice.
If you go full naked-illusion mesh like the real Madonna did, you aren't doing the Hocus Pocus version. You’re just doing the MTV VMAs version. Keep it "Disney PG-13." That is where the comedy lives.
Actionable Steps for Your Next Halloween
To truly embody the Hocus Pocus Madonna costume without looking like a generic pop star, follow these specific steps:
- Focus on the Cones: Don't just buy a gold bra. The cones need to be prominent and slightly exaggerated. Use cardboard inserts if the fabric isn't holding the shape.
- The Headset is Non-Negotiable: Use a bent wire hanger and some black tape if you have to. It is the defining accessory of that era of Madonna.
- Pair Up: Get a partner to dress as the "Low-Effort Dracula" husband. It completes the narrative of the Dennison parents.
- Learn the Move: Practice the "arms-crossed-over-the-chest" pose from the "I Put a Spell on You" scene. When people ask who you are, just start dancing and say you can't stop.
- Color Palette: Stick to gold, black, and that specific shade of 90s blonde. Avoid modern neon golds; go for the brassy, metallic look.
By leaning into the specific "mom-at-a-party" aesthetic rather than trying to look like a supermodel, you capture the actual heart of the character. It’s about the joy of the holiday and the hilarious juxtaposition of a suburban parent in iconic haute couture.