So it's your first day at the Hogwarts School of Witchcraft and Wizardry, and you don't want the Sorting Hat to know you're nervous. So what do you do? Well, why not dress like one of the top students at the mystical institution, Hermione Granger? Not only will you fit in, but you might have a chance to score a charming date with the enchanting Harry Potter. So here are some fashion tips to put the love spell on Harry:

1. Nab a tie from your dad. The Hogwarts School requires you to wear one, and your father has more ties than he needs — it's all he receives for his birthday besides coffee mugs.

2. You've got to have the Gryffindor robe. It's the school Harry and Hermione are in, and you don't want to get stuck in the Slytherin School with the sinister and dishonorable Draco Malfoy. Halloween is the best time to buy the robe since costume stores will be selling it. The Gryffindor wrapper will probably run you about $25, but it's well worth it unless you want to be a Hufflepuff chump.

3. The white-collared shirt is an easy pickup at a Lansing thrift store. Around $5 and — abracadabra! — you've got something to wrap your dad's tie around.

4. You're not done at the thrift store, yet. The gray sweater is what all the Hogwarts kids are wearing these days, and it's no more than $10 second hand.

5. A skirt can be bought at most clothing stores. The one here runs around $50 from DKNY, but the only thing a modern sorcery girl knows better than a deal is a spellbindingly good deal.

6. You're also not done helping yourself to your father's wardrobe for the dress socks. He won't mind if you put a missing curse on just one pair.

7. Complete the school-girl outfit with sparkling dress shoes. Everyone's got their own opinions when it comes to shoes, so just go with your gut when trying to impress future wizards.