What to wear to a Halloween party when you don’t want to go full-costume

Headed to a party for mummies and daddies after the little ones have taken inventory of their trick-or-treating haul? Or, maybe you’ve got a lunch-time monster bash scheduled in the break room at work. Better yet, you’ve committed yourself to a tour of the city’s best haunted houses (but, first, margaritas).

For those who are dress-up shy, you don’t have to rock a full-on costume to look drop-dead (bwahahaha) gorgeous this Halloween. You can be whatever you darn well please on Oct. 31, and, for many, that simply means being stylish. And warm. And, oh, sure, why not festive, too?

Step away from the all-orange ensemble and forget about cutting eye-holes in your 1,500-thread count sheets for a last-minute Casper costume. Rather, consider these spirited outfit ideas for your upcoming Halloween party. BYOCC (bring your own candy corn).

The “didn’t even try” costume

You can count on the same guy who pinches people on St. Patrick’s Day for not wearing green to also be out on Halloween, calling out anybody who isn’t in costume. So, how’s this for a party trick? Wear your favorite blue dress (we promise we won’t have you costumed as Janet Reno in her infamous “one blue dress” that SNL spoofed). We’re talking a gorgeous, look-at-me blue dress, like this Ted Baker swing style, $282.36, from asos.com. Pack a devil ears headband, like this one, $6.99, from Party City in your purse and, voila, you’ve got yourself an insta-costume as a Devil in a Blue Dress. Shoot, you could even do a costume change and wear a pair of leopard Prada d’Orsay Pumps, $950, from Nordstrom, later in the night, and, all of a sudden, you’re the Devil Who Wears Prada. Watch out, you might even unintentionally win a costume contest for your creativity. Bonus: Minus the inexpensive devil horns, your “costume” will remain relevant throughout the year.

Gothic and glamorous

Need an excuse to wear head-to-toe black without being mistaken for Wednesday Addams? We’re spotting a resurgence of the goth look in this season’s apparel and even makeup, too. (Let’s take a moment to salute your ninth grade self and how you rocked that choker). What better night than Halloween to try out a pair of edgy black combat boots, like these Vince Camuto Taryn booties from Dillards that you’ve been wondering if your modern-day self can pull off? Or, how about an eyelash lace sweater dress, $19.90, from Forever 21? Another option: Change up your makeup routine for the evening. We double-dog-dare you to try out a blackened red lipstick, $18, at Sephora, with a smoky eye for a vampy look.

Boo-tiful accessories

From skulls on Alexander McQueen scarves to Ouija board-inspired cuffed bracelets, there’s no shortage in accessories that are apropos for Halloween. From sweet to spooky to creepy and crawly, the easiest way to add a little Halloween spirit to your outfit is to accessorize. Helping out in your kid’s classroom party? You’ll be the sweetest mom in the classroom with these adorable candy corn earrings, on sale for $4.50 at Kohl’s. Going out for a haunted happy hour? Tie on an Alexander McQueen Chiffon Scarf with skulls, $295, at Nordstrom. Give a good scare with these oversized spider web stud earrings from Claire’s, $9.50, that come with spiders that can be attached to the web magnetically.