Halloween Party Outfits That Are Not Costumes

My favorite kind of Halloween outfit is one you could wear on any other Friday night. It just happens to be a little darker, a little more dramatic and a lot more fun.

It starts with leather. The Bottega Veneta barrel-leg leather pants in black are the sleek ones, the Zeynep Arçay stretch leather pants are the slim, straight ones, and the Curatoria Rivero bootcut pants in brown have a bit of seventies swagger. The Sea Caitlin wide-leg leather pants in brown are the roomy pair for dancing.

A black mini dress is the closest thing to a costume that I will ever wear. It works with a witch hat or without one.

The A.W.A.K.E. MODE asymmetric big collar dress is the sculptural one, and the FRANÇOISE Nokia wool mini with its white bow is the one with a school uniform feel. The Khaite Astor velvet mini is the dark, moody one, and the STAUD Alesa crepe mini has an olive satin detail at the side.

A black boot finishes a dark outfit. Pick one with some weight, because Halloween parties tend to involve dancing and stairs.

The Prada leather knee boots and the Khaite Davis knee high boots are the tall, dramatic pair, and the STAUD Brooklyn ankle boot is the one with a buckle. The Aeyde Zoe ankle boot has a kitten heel for anyone who wants to stay low.

This is the place to go a little bigger. A strong pair of earrings makes a black outfit feel like a decision.

The Lizzie Fortunato sculptural gold earrings with pearl drops are the dramatic ones, and the Heaven Mayhem double knot earrings are the bold, chunky pair. The Haute Victoire malachite hearts are the green surprise, and the Sylvia Toledano Valse earrings in multi-stone are the colorful ones.

Leather, black, a tall boot and one big earring. You will look like you understood the theme without having to explain a thing.

If this is the kind of week you are dressing for, I would also read my notes on fall concert outfits, fall date night outfits, fall dinner party outfits and football game outfits.