Geek Style: ollivander's

This is the third part of a back-to-school series based around Harry Potter. Today we're going back to Diagon Alley, to a shop there to be precise that every witch and wizard has to visit as part of their first stop.

Check out the previous posts on this topic - A Trip to Diagon Alley and Hogwarts Supplies List.

Wands are a vital instrument in the wizarding world, but it is more than just an object for a witch or wizard to use. It is like a partnership, a shared bond.

Because of this, the process to selecting a wand involves much careful consideration and deliberation on what best suits an individual's personality or needs as a wizard.

Like one's clothes!

Here are my outfits, inspired by the cores used in wands and their 'respective' personalities.

UNICORN HAIR

Unicorn hair generally produces the most consistent magic, and is least subject to fluctuations and blockages. Wands with unicorn cores are generally the most difficult to turn to the Dark Arts. They are the most faithful of all wands, and usually remain strongly attached to their first owner, irrespective of whether he or she was an accomplished witch or wizard.

Minor disadvantages of unicorn hair are that they do not make the most powerful wands (although the wand wood may compensate) and that they are prone to melancholy if seriously mishandled, meaning that the hair may 'die' and need replacing.You don't need to wear a horn to know this inspiration. I created this outfit with the kind of personality in mind. So I chose a very light, airy and girly look with the pure white of a unicorn, but kept it simple as a homage to its faithfulness.

The black pumps were put in as a reminder of strength for good, an assurance of self. And those shoes have a look that if you rub the person wrong, she will have no qualms of stomping all over you.

DRAGON HEARTSTRING

As a rule, dragon heartstrings produce wands with the most power, and which are capable of the most flamboyant spells. Dragon wands tend to learn more quickly than other types. While they can change allegiance if won from their original master, they always bond strongly with the current owner.

The dragon wand tends to be easiest to turn to the Dark Arts, though it will not incline that way of its own accord. It is also the most prone of the three cores to accidents, being somewhat temperamental.

I built this outfit on one word: tempermental. Harkening to memories of "Girl with the Dragon Tattoo" this outfit is a homage to the strength of the dragon and a reminder that these people are ones that need treating gently, for all their tough exterior, they are gentle and sensitive on the inside.

People with dragon heartstring cores are bold, bright, brilliant but a challenge. And so I wished to make this outfit look.

PHOENIX FEATHER

This is the rarest core type. Phoenix feathers are capable of the greatest range of magic, though they may take longer than either unicorn or dragon cores to reveal this. They show the most initiative, sometimes acting of their own accord, a quality that many witches and wizards dislike.

Phoenix feather wands are always the pickiest when it comes to potential owners, for the creature from which they are taken is one of the most independent and detached in the world. These wands are the hardest to tame and to personalise, and their allegiance is usually hard won.

There is a majestic beauty about a Phoenix, which is why I went with a one-sleeve chiffon red dress, a classic, flirty but strong silhouette. The earrings obviously pays homage to the feathers a phoenix while the choker keeps the fantasy alive.

Throw in a pair of classic but clean white gladiators and you have a look that is independant and graceful with a bit of fire in it.