Newman: Some of the beauty of Halloween is that things aren’t quite right. I enjoy the weirdness and the unexpected. The best thing you can do is lean into it.
Gardner: It’s easy to get excited about Halloween with tons of candlelight, strong punch with dry ice, and a reason to dress in outrageous costumes. I would avoid disposable napkins, plates, and disposable cups. No adult wants to drink out of those.
Are costumes mandatory? Or can you skip the dress code?
De Givenchy: Personally, my “nightmare bride” would be wearing vintage Riccardo Tisci for Givenchy in gothic black lace. And if I must be a spooky mummy, I would rather do it in a full-length Léger bandage dress. So costumes, yes, but make them beautiful!
Wearstler: Halloween is an opportunity to show off your personal style and interests. I think it’s a bit of a missed opportunity not to show your creativity.
Newman: They’re fun, and they make the room lively. But it’s important that you feel comfortable and confident. A mask is a good route if you’re costume-averse because you can always ditch it…
Gardner: I would never print “costumes mandatory” on a party invitation. Mandatory is not fun. I would encourage guests to dress up by adding “costumes” in the lower right corner. I’m lucky that my friends love to dress up.
Photo: Houses & Parties
Photo: Houses & Parties
If you skip a costume, should you show more skin than usual?
De Givenchy: For the exhibitionists’ favorite night of the year? Keep it glamorous, sexy, and dark in the best way possible.
Newman: The great thing about Halloween is you can be whoever you want to be. It can be in the form of costume, but it can also manifest into you wearing something you’ve always wanted to but never felt comfortable with. It can be a new fabric, color, or style. You don’t necessarily need to show more skin.
Gardner: I don’t care what guests choose as their costume or how they wear it. I applaud the effort, from Raggedy Anne to Icy Queentini.
What should be on the food menu of a Halloween party?
De Givenchy: Devils on horseback, pigs in blankets, caviar on potatoes, smoked salmon with rye bread. Guests will come and go throughout the night, so make it a lavish buffet served by silver candlelight.
