Four stylish ways to get in the Halloween spirit

Swap the fangs for something altogether more fashionable, says Sarah Young

Friday 19 October 2018 18:02 BST

Mela Black High Neck Lace Maxi Dress, £35, New Look

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Whether you’re taking your children tick-or-treating, handing out sweets at home or heading to a party, the time has come to consider your haunting Halloween look.

But what if you don’t fancy covering yourself in fake blood or worse, dressing as a come-hither cop?

Not everyone wants to embrace a full-on costume for Halloween but there’s a fine line between getting in the seasonal spirit and looking like you’ve totally bailed out.

Luckily we have the perfect stylish solutions, whatever your plans might be.

One of the easiest ways to strike the perfect balance between ghoulish and girly is with a classic LBD, which, let’s face it, most of us already own.

An option that will work just as well in your winter wardrobe as it will to channel your inner Lydia Deetz or Morticia Addams, you can choose to salvage an old party outfit or invest in something new.

Either way, make sure yours is black all over and vaulting in velvet or lace for extra impact.

If a dress is out of the question you also have the option of a novelty jumper or T-shirt; that’s right, they’re not just for Christmas.

Lots of high street retailers are offering slogan tops emblazoned with tongue-in-cheek phrases like “Witch, Please” or “Boo”, but if you’d rather invest in something more chic Chinti & Parker has got you covered.

Black Abracadabra Cashmere Sweater, £350, Chinti & Parker

A luxury knitwear brand that specialises in cashmere goodness, this season it has everything from spooky slogan sweaters that read “Abracadabra” to star-spangled motifs.

Instead of buying a costly costume, you can also add an alternative accessory to your day-to-day look; an option well suited to workplace parties.

From ornate gothic chokers to floral crowns, fancy face masks and decorative tights, these are a great choice if you don’t want to spend too much money or look like you’ve tried too hard.

Similarly, opting for a vampy makeup look will allow you to tap into your dark side without too much effort. For something sultry a smoky eye and spiky lashes will suffice, while those who want to make more of an impact should consider a darker pout with shades like Huda Beauty’s Vixen or Fenty Beauty’s Stunna Lip Paint in Uninvited.