Aesthetically, this hat is -- straight out of the box -- precisely what one would want from a witch hat. In terms of practicality, it is a bit lacking.

I bought this for my four year old daughter's witch costume this year. Knowing it runs small, I assumed it would be just right for her little noggin (and maybe have a few growing years for dress-up play). Disappointingly, it seems to barely fit her now. And something about the shape of it, it simply won't stay on her head. It's like it is all at once snug and loose -- in all the wrong ways. Although my head is on the smaller side, the hat didn't fit me either, without being uncomfortably snug. That at least helped me keep it on when my daughter finally got tired of holding it on her head on Halloween night.

Although I don't regret buying the hat -- and could probably remedy the staying put problem with some ribbon or an elastic chin strap -- I was also disappointed with how quickly it began to show wear and look raggedy. So, while it was far better than a cheapo witch hat from the seasonal department in Target, it also isn't the perfect hat I'd hoped for. It was worth what we paid -- but not a penny more.

It is, of course, manufactured in China (and needed a good washing on arrival because of the accompanying chemically smell and tactile unpleasantness).