14 Haunting Halloween Party Invitations

1. RSVP "no" early

As soon as you receive an invitation, you probably have an idea of whether or not you can or want to attend. Decline ASAP so the host has an opportunity to invite someone else, get a refund on your seat, and plan accordingly. Plus, you don’t want to carry the burden of accepting and dreading the event for weeks. It’s way more emotionally draining, and confusing for the host.

If you do want to attend, but are unsure if you can, check your calendar and let the host know your circumstances. Perhaps your sister is expecting her first baby around the same time as your college roommate’s wedding. Reach out to your friend directly and let them know that you may be able to come, or would like to come, but it’s dependent on another important factor.

Chances are, the host will respect and appreciate your honesty. And remember: for big events like weddings, guests = money, so giving the hosts as much time as possible to make adjustments before their event is imperative.

2. You don't have to explain yourself

This is a bit contradictory to what we just said, but if it’s not an up-in-the-air type of situation, you can just say “no.” Plain and simple. Hosts don’t need a laundry list of reasons you can’t go, and you don’t need to share yours.

3. Declining is *actually* quite respectful

Responding to someone, whether it’s an enthusiastic “yes” or a “no,” is way better than not responding at all – or worse, canceling at the last minute. It shows that you care enough about the person to give them an answer, and that your friendship allows for open communication. With anyone in your life, you should be allowed to ask for what you want, and what you need. If you can’t do this for yourself, do it for Future You.

4. Don't make up excuses

It’s just a no-no. If you fabricate an excuse, it can lead to way worse (and certainly more awkward) situations. For example, if you say you can’t go deep sea fishing this Saturday (when it’s really about not wanting to fish), the person might ask you to go with them another time, evidently putting you on the hook (pun VERY intended) for future excursions.

Alternatively, if you opt for blowing them off and they find out, they’ll probably feel worse and assume your response was personal to them. Whether or not that’s true is besides the point.

Being a bit more honest always goes a long way. Oh, and BTW, refusing an invitation isn’t that deep! Truly. It’s literally fine.

5. How to say "no"

Saying no is all about what you say and how you say it. Aim for a warm, neutral and matter-of-fact tone paired with a short, candid response. Don’t beg for forgiveness (and TBH if you have to do this, they’re probably not a great friend in the first place), give them a vague reason as to why you can’t go, or get defensive if they have questions. Repeat after us: saying no is normal!

BTW – by declining an invite you have to allow others to do the same. So if someone declines an invitation to your birthday party (which we know will be totally amazing), it’s OK.

Rifle Paper Co. Fall Foliage Invitation

Rifle Paper Co. does it again with this gorgeous fall foliage-inspired digital invite. The cute squirrels, owls, birds, and acorns in the design are absolutely the icing on the cake (or the whipped cream on the pumpkin pie, as it were).

minted. Give Thanks Wreath Invitation

If you're leaning toward a thick, rustic cardboard-inspired invitation, you still digital options in the digital world. This design even has a grainy texture for that lived-in, elevated casual vibe.

Mint Parcel Gourdness Gracious Invitation

Dot your invites with colorful gourds with this super cute and playfully chic design. As a bonus, you can use this color palette for your fall tablescape at the big event.

minted. Friendsgiving Wreath Invitation

Another cardboard-inpired option, this evite is the perfect complement to a party decorated in farmhouse or rustic fashion. Accent your table with wheat and pampas grass, add a burlap table runner, and tie fall leaves with little swigs of twine to create the perfect aesthetic.

Paper Raven Co. Lovely Oak Leaves Invitation

If you're the designated Friendsgiving host this year, consider this impeccably styled evite. If this isn't your exact color scheme, never fear — this design comes in three different colorways so you can be sure your invitation matches your event.

minted. Harvest Table Invitation

Tell your guests this year's party is going to be just as stylish as its pre-COVID precursors with this stunning invitation hued with neutrals, peach, and green.

Signature Green Envelope Give Thanks Invitation

Not one to shy away from making a statement? This elegant invite stands out with a boldly showcased message about what the holiday is really about: Gratitude.

Mr. Boddington's Studio Hands Full Invitation

Keep things chill with this casual, fun, and beautiful design. If you're not one to take yourself too seriously but still plan on hosting a stunning event, this paperless invite is for you.

Rifle Paper Co. Harvest Floral Invitation

Celebrate the harvest with this beautiful and on-trend invitation that showcases all the colors of fall. Your guests will expect the *most* pretty event when they receive this in their inbox.

Lori Danielle Autumn Warmth Invitation

Another Friendsgiving-specific option, this invitation showcases the rich, deeply saturated jewel tones for which autumn is known. Bonus points if you coordinate your outfit with this one.

Paperless Post Good Friends Good Food Invitation

Go modern with this typography-focused design that practically begs to be used if you live in a loft (or have an industrial design scheme in your home).

Felix Doolittle Falling Foliage Invitation

Forgoing the in-person gathering this year in lieu of a virtual party? Fancy up the occasion with an elegant invite so your friends and family can rest assured your new tradition is just as exciting as ever.

1. Tailored Denim

Ann Taylor The Denim Trouser

Denim is a timeless classic that's been around for as long as any of us can remember. It also comes in a variety of styles, making it easy to style no matter your age. What makes tailored denim so special — like this pair of Ann Taylor trousers — is it's ability to be appropriate for business casual work settings. The classic rinse wash is more ideal for cooler winter days while the flared hemlines give ankle books a nice peek-a-boo feature.

GAP Classic Button-Down Jean Shirt

A classic button-down shirt with non-stretch denim is another easy style to wear because it can go with almost anything you own. Bootcut jeans? Yep! A suede midi skirt? We love a western moment! However, the most important thing we appreciate about this shirt is that it's made of 95% cotton.

Banana Republic Pia Denim Midi Skirt

Denim skirtshave been been on the style scene for a while and we're sure they're here to stay. To avoid baring too much skin during winter, opt for a midi option like this piece from Banana Republic. It has a similar flared hemline like the Ann Taylor Denim Trousers, making it appropriate for 9 to 5 days, brunch with friends on Saturday, or church on Sundays!

2. Playful Textures

Mango Suede Leather Loafers

Loafers are an absolute staple during fall and winter, hence why we keep talking about them so much! They're a chic way to elevate even the most basic t-shirt and jeans outfit combinations, plus they work for everyone. Get a suede pair to add subtle texture to your outfit for a fun chic moment.

Old Navy High-Waisted Corduroy Wide-Leg Pants

Corduroy pants are another winter staple that continue to be recycled throughout the years. No matter how hard we try, we keep coming back to them which is why we think they're a great style option for women over 50. Because of their texture, these pants can also add subtle texture to your overall look without creating a huge statement.

Joe's Jeans by Dani Michelle Mia Crop Leather Pants

If you want to wear something a little bolder, you can't go wrong with black leather pants. They're a must-have during colder months, especially if they're lined!

This pair gives you the option to wear them with calf or knee-high boots so that they elongate your frame. Ankle boots are always cute, but they'd slightly throw off the dimensions of these pants! Once you have your chosen footwear, add a cute cardigan or sweater to it for a cozy look that'll receive compliments!

3. Animal Print

Tecovas Sierra Tote Bag

Leopard print is always trending, but that doesn't mean that's the only animal pattern you have to wear. Cow print is another fun way to add a pop of texture to your outfit if you're wearing something monochromatic. Or, you can easily copy the outfit above and look equally as stylish.

P.S. Don't be surprised if you see someone from B+C's editorial team wearing this look!

Banana Republic Oversized Snake Print Midi Dress

It's okay if wearing cow print feels weird to you because that's not your only option! Snake print is another pattern you can wear, especially if it looks like this Banana Republic midi dress. Instead of the typical depiction of snakes, this dress looks like someone zoomed in on scales and created something that feels more refined.

Sam Edelman Linnie Bit Mule

Add a touch of zebra print to your winter outfit with these calf hair mules by Sam Edelman. They still have a bold factor like the Tecovas tote bag or the Banana Republic snake print dress, but they're not as in-your-face.

4. Shades Of Green

J.Crew Daphne Topcoat

Everyone needs a nice topcoat in their life, preferably in the shade green! We're 100% biased about that because green brings out a person's inner glow and helps ground them based on color psychology. Also, the fact you could wear a sweatsuit with this coat and still look put together makes us excited to share it with you.

Target Bucket Crossbody Bag

Add a pop of color to your outfit with this cute crossbody bag found at Target, everyone's favorite place to shop. The minimal gold hardware gives it such a sleek appearance that we're personally fighting the urge to buy it in black too!

Abercrombie & Fitch Easy Funnel Neck Sweater

You can always rely on a sweater to be easy to style! Abercrombie & Fitch's funnel neck version is amazing for anyone who wants to wear a turtleneck without feeling like they're struggling to breathe. We understand they're not always comfortable, but you won't get that with this cute style!

5. Cardigan & Coats

Anthropologie Brushed Cardigan Sweater Coat

Are you ready to give up cardigans? We figured you'd say no so we're giving the best of both worlds — a cardigan coat. Anthropologie always has the cutest winter styles so this brushed texture was too cozy-looking to ignore. You know what's even more exciting about it? Anthropologie is literally giving you an OOTD idea you can easily recreate at home!

NA-KD Wool Scarf Detail Coat

Protect your neck from the brutal winter winds with NA-KD's scarf coat that'll keep you warm and chic. It's slightly oversized so you're able to wrap yourself up and not have to worry about looking like you didn't put any effort into your look.

Quince Double-Faced Merino Wool Scarf Coat

Go for a shorter option for the days where it's not as cold. You'll still get the same effect from a longer scarf coat without feeling like you'll trip over the hemline. Since Quince's design is wool, you'll still be nice and toasty! Just add a pair of gloves so that your hands don't freeze!