Fashion Inspired by the Hogwarts Houses – Slytherin

JK Rowling changed the world when she wrote the Harry Potter series. Not only did she write seven amazing novels, but she created a new and exciting world for all of her readers to lose themselves in.

If you don’t already know the story of Harry Potter, there’s too much to summarize here, so we recommend picking up the books already (you’ll thank us!) or checking out the HP Wikipedia Page for a detailed summary. Suffice to say the books revolve around Harry, an orphan boy who, on his 11th birthday, finds out he is a famous wizard, and is invited to attend Hogwarts School of Witchcraft and Wizardry.

Hogwarts is separated into four houses, each named after one of the founders of the school: Hufflepuff, Slytherin, Ravenclaw, and Gryffindor. Once students arrive at Hogwarts for their first year, the magical Sorting Hat is placed upon their head to choose which house they belong in according to their personality.

Each Hogwarts house has a distinct set of characteristics that it values, along with an interesting historical background. This series of articles features fashion inspired by each of the four Hogwarts houses. Today it’s time to talk Slytherin fashion. (If you’re not a Slytherin, see our articles on Gryffindor fashion, Ravenclaw fashion, and Hufflepuff fashion.)

Slytherin History and Facts

• Founder – Slytherin was founded by Salazar Slytherin, a very intelligent wizard who was a Parselmouth, meaning he had the rare ability to speak to snakes. Salazar Slytherin also created the Chamber of Secrets.
• Animal Mascot – Snake, naturally.
• Colors – Green and Silver
• Head of House – Severus Snape, until the 7th book when Snape becomes Headmaster and Slughorn become Head of Slytherin.
• Common Room – The Slytherin Common Room is located in the dungeons underneath the Hogwarts Lake. To enter, one must speak the correct password to a wall in the cellar of the castle. The light is greenish, due to the location under the lake, and there are dark green and black sofas. There are dark wood cupboards and skulls as decor. The atmosphere is regal, yet eerie. Harry and Ron enter the Slytherin Common Room in their second year in attempt to find the identity of the heir of Slytherin.

Do you have what it takes to be a Slytherin?

Salazar Slytherin had a strict set of traits that he valued when choosing students for his house.  To be chosen as a Slytherin, you must be clever, resourceful, determined, ambitious, and cunning. According to Dumbledore, Slytherins also have “a certain disregard for the rules.”

These traits don’t sound negative, but the Slytherin House seems to have a bad reputation. This is because many Slytherins turned to the Dark Arts and became followers of Lord Voldemort. Even though lots of Slytherins were evil, there were also some that turned out to be good. Many Slytherins even fought with Hogwarts against Lord Voldemort in the Battle of Hogwarts.

A pure wizard bloodline was important to Salazar Slytherin, so important that he left Hogwarts after getting into an argument about it with the other founders. Because of this, most Slytherins are pure-bloods, however, there are also a few half-bloods.

Also read: How to Dress for Life at Hogwarts

Who Are The Most Famous Slytherins?

• Tom Marvolo Riddle/ Lord Voldemort – Before he was the most powerful dark wizard in the history of the Wizarding World, Voldemort was a charismatic Slytherin.
• Bellatrix Lestrange – She became one of Voldemort’s most loyal followers.
• Severus Snape – the Potions Master at Hogwarts who you can never decide whether you love or hate.
• Regulus Black – Death Eater and brother of Sirius Black who later decides that he is not loyal to Voldemort.
• Lucius and Narcissa Malfoy – Death Eaters who lend their home to Voldemort for meetings with other Death Eaters.
• Draco Malfoy – Son of Lucius and Narcissa, Draco is a boy in Harry’s year who constantly gives trouble to Harry and his friends.
• Vincent Crabbe and Gregory Goyle – two large and unintelligent boys who are basically Draco’s minions.

Staying Cozy in the Slytherin Dungeons

The dungeons can be a bit cold and bleak, so when you’re trying to relax there, you can wear this comfy green and gray sweater dress with leggings. I included lace up boots (with floral lining!) to keep the outfit rebellious, and a charming locket because Salazar Slytherin left a locket as his relic.

Products: Dress – Revolve, Leggings – Old Navy, Locket – Etsy, Boots – Hot Topic

Taking Care of Business

If you’re an ambitious Slytherin, chances are you have an important job. This outfit is perfect for work, with great dress trousers and a statement top and fun but still professional heels. I also included a snake ring, since Slytherin’s animal mascot is a snake.

Products: Top – 6pm, Pants – Express, Ring – Etsy, Heels – Guess

Rule Breaker

Slytherins look regal anywhere they go, especially when they’re out with friends. I made this outfit for any dress up event, with a form fitting metallic dress, gorgeous green heels, stackable silver rings, and drop earrings that perhaps you borrowed from a friend. Going out for girls’ night on the town? Swap out the green heels for black studded heels and add a leather jacket.

Products: Dress – JJs House, Earrings – BaubleBar, Rings – Etsy, Heels – Revolve

What do you think?

Are you inspired by Slytherin and the other Hogwarts houses? Which house do you belong to? We want to know what you think, so be sure to leave a comment!

Editor’s note: This post was originally published in 2010; it was completely updated and revamped in 2018 by Sharon with new photos, outfit sets, and information.

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