A good vampire can be elegant, funny or entirely modern, and the men's versions I enjoy styling most go well past plastic fangs and a party-store cape. I always start by deciding who the vampire is, a Victorian count, a biker or a professor, then dress the clothes, hair, makeup and shoes around that one idea. Much of it may already be in your closet, and thrift stores are full of the vintage jackets, waistcoats and dress shirts these looks need. Comfortable shoes and light layers will carry you through a long party. Here are thirty versions, all wearable and none of them gory.
Fangs You Can Talk and Drink In
Fangs show up in every costume below, and they're the piece men complain about most. The cheapest one-piece sets cover your whole top row, make you lisp and fall out the first time you laugh. Individual caps that fit over your own canine teeth are far easier to live with for a whole evening.
- Choose caps that come with a moldable fitting material, usually small plastic beads you soften in hot water, or a putty. Follow the kit's directions on temperature and timing exactly.
- Press the softened material into the cap, push it gently over your canine, hold it as long as the kit says, then let it firm up and lift it off. You end up with a cap shaped to your own tooth.
- Practice talking in them for a few minutes at home. If you lisp, the cap sits too low, so trim or refit it.
- Take them out to eat and keep a small case in your pocket. Wrapping them in a napkin is how most fangs end up in the trash.
- Never use superglue or nail glue on teeth, whatever a video suggests.
If you have braces, veneers or recent dental work, skip the caps and ask your dentist first, or simply let the makeup and clothes carry the character. Rinse the fangs in cool water with mild soap afterward; hot water can soften the fitting material and warp the shape you made.
1. Classic Vampire Costume With Black Cape
A sweeping black cape over crisp formal clothes says vampire faster than anything. Black dress pants, a white button-down and a fitted black waistcoat are the base, under a knee-length cape with a red lining and a stand-up collar. That collar is where cheap capes fail. If it flops, I iron a strip of fusible interfacing inside it so it stands up. Smooth the hair back with light gel, then go pale with soft gray around the eyes. Small fangs, a red satin tie, a silver-tone ring and polished black shoes finish him. Keep the cape below the knee but well off the floor.
2. Victorian Vampire Costume With Brocade Vest
Texture is what makes a Victorian vampire look old-world rather than costume-shop. Slim black trousers and a white ruffled or high-collar shirt go under a burgundy, black or charcoal brocade vest, with a fitted tailcoat if you want more drama. Loose waves or a shoulder-length black wig with a center part suit him, and the skin stays pale and matte with plum shadow under the eyes. A velvet cravat, a cameo-style pin, fangs and an ornate pocket watch carry the period, and lace-up boots with a slightly pointed toe finish it. This is where thrifted formalwear shines, because slightly aged fabric looks like it has hung in his wardrobe for a century.
3. Gothic Vampire Costume With Long Coat
For a darker look that still reads polished, everything hangs off a long black coat. A black satin shirt, fitted trousers and a charcoal vest go under a knee-length frock coat or a light duster. All-black outfits look flat in photos unless the finishes differ, so I play the satin's sheen against a matte coat and a textured vest. Straighten or slick the hair away from the face. Pale foundation, smoky charcoal eyes, light contour and a deep berry lip are dramatic without tipping into horror. Fangs, silver-tone rings, a dark red pocket square and sturdy lace-up boots finish him, and on an outdoor night the coat keeps you warm.
4. Modern Vampire Costume With Black Jeans
What if your vampire just blended into the city? Slim black jeans, a fitted black T-shirt and a dark leather-look or suede jacket are the base, with a burgundy scarf or shirt to bring in the traditional color. The hair goes slightly tousled instead of slicked. I keep the makeup understated here: even out the skin, deepen the under-eye area with cool taupe and sharpen the cheekbones a touch. Small fangs, a silver-tone necklace or two and black Chelsea boots finish it. This is the one I'd send a man to a campus party or a last-minute invite in, since everything comes from an ordinary wardrobe.
5. Vampire Count Costume With Red Waistcoat
A bright red waistcoat gives this count a focal point without fuss. It goes with a white dress shirt, fitted black trousers and a long black jacket or cape, plus a black satin cravat pinned with a faux-jewel brooch. Comb the hair back, leaving a slight wave at the front. Pale makeup, cool contour, darkened brows and a soft burgundy lip give the face enough definition. Add fangs, white gloves, a vintage-style pocket watch and black loafers or dress boots. The waistcoat has to fit. A loose one rides up and shows a strip of white shirt above the waistband, which ruins the aristocratic line at once.
6. Masquerade Vampire Costume With Velvet Suit
The masquerade vampire is formal and a little mysterious. A fitted black or deep burgundy velvet suit goes with a black dress shirt, a satin bow tie and a half mask in matte black, silver or dark red. Masks on a thin elastic band slide down as the evening warms up, so I swap the band for a wider ribbon tied at the back of the head. Sweep the hair off the forehead and do pale skin with smoky eyes that show around the mask edges. Fangs, a single ornate ring and a black rose as the prop are enough, with velvet loafers or polished shoes. Keeping the mask, suit and accessories in one narrow palette holds it together.
7. Renaissance Vampire Costume With Ruffled Shirt
Flowing fabric gives a Renaissance vampire drama without anything frightening. Fitted black pants or breeches go with a loose white ruffled shirt and a dark velvet doublet-style vest, plus a burgundy sash and a light black shoulder cape. Shoulder-length waves suit him, either your own or a dark brown curly wig. A pale base, smudged brown shadow, strong brows and a muted plum lip set the face. Small fangs, a faux-jeweled pendant and a few rings carry the fantasy, with knee-high boots and cushioned insoles. I'd stop short of huge sleeves, though. They trail through the dips on the buffet table and hook on every chair back.
8. Steampunk Vampire Costume With Top Hat
Metal details turn the classic vampire into a steampunk inventor. Brown or black trousers, a cream high-collar shirt, a brocade waistcoat and a fitted tailcoat make the base, under a tall top hat dressed with goggles, small fabric gears and a burgundy ribbon. Anything on the hat adds weight, and a top-heavy hat tips forward all night, so I keep attachments light and glue them toward the back of the crown. Pale makeup with copper eyeshadow, fangs, a pocket watch, fingerless gloves and a walking cane with a rubber tip finish him. Brown lace-up boots suit the antique palette.
9. Pirate Vampire Costume With Long Vest
The pirate vampire gets its seafaring twist from weathered layers. Black trousers, a loose ivory shirt and a long burgundy or black vest go under a light pirate-style coat with wide cuffs, with a dark sash at the waist. Loose waves or a shoulder-length dark wig tied half back suit him. Pale foundation, gray-brown eyeshadow and soft contour give a tired, centuries-at-sea face without gore. A tricorn hat, a compass and a few rings are the props. If you want frayed edges, I'd fray them with a seam ripper and stop each run with a dab of fabric glue, or they keep unraveling all night. Non-slip boots finish it.
10. Medieval Vampire Costume With Hooded Cape
A medieval vampire is simple to put together and still mysterious. A black lace-up tunic over fitted charcoal trousers, with a dark red vest or a wide fabric belt, sits under a light hooded cape that ends at mid-calf, which is as long as I'd let one go. Dark hair falls loose, or wear a wavy shoulder-length wig. Pale skin with cool contour at the temples and smudged charcoal eyes set the face. Fangs, a silver-tone pendant and leather-look cuffs add detail, and tall lace-up boots finish him. For a regal version, line the hood in burgundy and fasten the cape with a costume clasp.
11. Vampire Lord Costume With Faux Fur Collar
A faux fur collar makes the vampire lord imposing. Black trousers, a charcoal satin shirt and a fitted velvet waistcoat go under a long coat that stops above the shoes, with a detachable black faux fur collar. Brush the hair back with volume at the crown. Pale matte skin, cool gray contour, smoky eyes and a dark plum lip make a commanding face. Fangs, an oversized faux-jewel ring and a medallion bring the regal note, with polished boots and dark gloves. Keep the fur at the collar or cuffs only. Faux fur traps heat like a scarf, and a fully trimmed coat in a warm room becomes unbearable within the hour.
12. Glam Rock Vampire Costume With Leather Pants
Glam rock turns the vampire into a stage act. Black leather-look pants and a deep burgundy satin shirt, open at the collar over a fitted black vest, go with a cropped velvet jacket with light metallic trim. Big hair is the point: loose curls, dramatic volume or a shoulder-length blond wig for contrast. Smoky liner, highlighted cheekbones and a muted berry lip suit it, along with fangs, stacked silver-tone necklaces, rings and a thin scarf at the neck. Heeled or pointed Chelsea boots finish the outline. I balance it the way I would any statement outfit. If the jacket sparkles, everything else stays plain.
13. Punk Vampire Costume With Plaid Pants
The punk vampire is comfortable and has attitude. Black-and-red plaid pants, a plain black T-shirt and a distressed denim or faux-leather jacket form the base, with a light black cape tucked under the jacket collar so only a little shows from behind. Spike the hair or push it into a temporary faux hawk with washable product. Pale skin, smudged black liner and a dark burgundy lip set the face. A studded cuff, chains, fingerless gloves and fangs add the punk, with combat boots and thick socks. I'd pick rounded studs over pointed ones, which scratch anyone you hug and snag sweaters in a crowd.
14. Vampire Biker Costume With Black Jacket
A black motorcycle-style jacket anchors a rugged modern vampire. Wear it over a charcoal henley with black jeans and a dark red belt or scarf. I steer toward matte pieces here; a very shiny faux-leather jacket looks like a costume, while a matte one looks like it belongs to an actual rider. Brush the hair back loosely with some texture at the forehead. A light pale base, taupe under the eyes, sharpened brows and a subtle plum lip are enough, plus fangs, black gloves, a silver-tone chain and dark aviators. Biker boots or lace-up work boots finish it. With no cape to manage, it's easy to walk and dance in at an outdoor festival.
15. Vampire Hunter Turned Vampire Costume
This one tells a story through mismatched formal and practical pieces. Dark brown pants, a cream button-down, a fitted black waistcoat and a weathered long coat suggest a traveler, and a burgundy scarf with leather-look gloves hints that he's been turned recently. Tousle the hair and go pale with cool under-eye shading, letting small fangs make the twist clear. A battered journal or a folded map is the prop, and antique-style keys or a travel bag add to the story without anything weapon-shaped. Brown lace-up boots finish the outline. Rubbing fine sandpaper over the cuffs and pocket edges of a cheap coat ages it convincingly.
16. Vampire Magician Costume With Tailcoat
Stagewear and vampires were made for each other. Black dress pants, a white pleated shirt, a burgundy waistcoat and a fitted tailcoat set the base, with a satin bow tie and white gloves. Slick the hair back or wear a short black wig with a sharp side part, then add precise black liner, softly hollowed cheeks and a dark berry lip. Fangs and a faux-jewel lapel pin finish the face and jacket. A collapsible top hat, blank cards or a handkerchief make interactive props. I'd learn one simple trick before the party, because people will ask. Glossy black shoes finish him.
17. Vampire Ringmaster Costume With Red Coat
A red coat gives the ringmaster vampire immediate impact. Slim black pants, a white high-collar shirt and a fitted black waistcoat go under a structured red tailcoat with gold-tone trim, a black cravat and a brooch. Hair stays in a neat side part or slicked back, and pale skin, dark brows and gray eyeshadow keep him supernatural. Add fangs, white gloves and a light top hat, and swap the whip for a rolled program or ticket booklet. If you add the gold trim yourself, pin it in place and check both sides of the coat in a mirror before gluing, since uneven trim is what makes a costume look homemade. Riding-style boots finish it.
18. Vampire Prince Costume With Burgundy Jacket
Soft velvet and jewel tones make a vampire prince look regal without bulk. Tailored black trousers, an ivory ruffled shirt and a fitted burgundy velvet jacket with black lapels are the core, with a narrow sash or dark waistcoat if you want another layer. Loose waves with controlled volume suit him. Pale matte skin, light gray contour, smoky brown eyes and a muted wine lip set the face, while fangs, a silver-tone chain brooch and one statement ring add the royal detail. Pointed boots or polished loafers finish it. Fit across the shoulders matters more than any accessory, because a velvet jacket that strains there shows every pull line in the pile.
19. Vampire Professor Costume With Tweed Suit
Could an immortal scholar hide in a university library for centuries? Charcoal trousers, a white shirt, a burgundy sweater vest and a dark tweed jacket build him, with a black bow tie or a narrow necktie. A tidy side part and round nonprescription glasses help. Keep the makeup quiet: pale skin, light cool contour, soft under-eye shadow and small fangs. An aged hardcover notebook or a stack of blank books tied with ribbon makes the prop, with brown brogues or black lace-ups. Tweed is warm, so I'd save this costume for a cool night or an office party, where a sweeping cape would only get in the way at your desk.
20. Vampire Butler Costume With White Gloves
The vampire butler is all about precision. Black dress pants, a crisp white shirt, a black waistcoat and a fitted swallowtail coat go with a burgundy bow tie and white gloves. Slick the hair back with a clean part. Pale foundation, defined brows, cool contour and a little gray shadow are enough. Fangs should show when you smile and still let you hold a conversation; if they make you lisp badly, they're sitting too low. An empty silver-tone tray or a folded white napkin over one arm is the prop, with polished black shoes. Press every crease the afternoon of the party, because a rumpled butler isn't a butler.
21. Vampire Groom Costume With Black Tuxedo
A black tuxedo turns into a polished vampire with only a few changes. The trousers, white dress shirt and black jacket stay as they are, with a deep burgundy bow tie and a black satin cape or shoulder-length velvet mantle over the top. Smooth the hair with a defined side part. A pale base, cool contour, smoky eyes and a subdued plum lip set the face. Fangs, a dark artificial rose boutonniere and silver-tone cuff links supply the supernatural detail. I tuck a tissue inside the tux collar while doing the makeup and powder well afterward, because good formalwear and pale foundation don't mix. It stays elegant once the cape comes off.
22. Vampire Cowboy Costume With Black Hat
Western clothing makes an unexpected vampire that people still get right away. Black jeans, a charcoal button-down and a dark burgundy vest go under a long black duster and a wide-brim hat with a red band. Hair stays natural under the hat, with pale makeup, taupe shading and defined cheekbones. Fangs, a silver-tone bolo tie, leather-look gloves and a pocket watch finish the character, with comfortable black or dark brown cowboy boots. A coiled rope or a weathered map stands in for the usual cowboy props. Brims shade the face heavily in photos, so tip the hat back a little whenever a camera comes out.
23. Vampire Detective Costume With Trench Coat
A detective's outfit hides a vampire well. Charcoal trousers, a white shirt, a burgundy tie and a gray waistcoat go under a long black or dark gray trench coat, with a fedora matched to the coat rather than contrasting with it. A neat side part and understated pale makeup keep him human at a distance, and the fangs give him away up close. A magnifying glass, a notebook and a sealed envelope are safe props, with black gloves and lace-up dress shoes. I like this one for men who enjoy playing a character, since you can hand out small mysteries for friends to solve through the night.
24. Vampire Doctor Costume With Dark Scrubs
This occupation costume turns dark scrubs into a vampire doctor. Black or burgundy scrubs with a fitted white lab coat and comfortable black sneakers make the base, with a black mock-neck under the scrub top on a cool night. Comb or slick the hair, then go pale with light gray under the eyes, defined brows and a muted berry lip. Fangs tell the story straight away. A blank name badge, a costume stethoscope, a notebook and a dark red pen are the props. I'd keep it clean, with no fake blood, because a white coat against pale skin and fangs already does the work. Scrubs are about as comfortable as a costume gets for a long event.
25. Vampire Chef Costume With Burgundy Apron
The vampire chef is a joke costume that still looks sharp. Black trousers, a black button-down and slip-resistant black shoes go with a burgundy apron and a crisp white chef hat. Paper chef hats crush flat in a car, so I carry mine in a bag and put it on at the door. Slick the hair back under the hat, then add pale skin, a soft smoky eye, cool contour, a plum lip, fangs and black gloves. A wooden spoon, a covered serving dish or an empty recipe book with a funny vampire title in removable lettering is the prop. A spotless apron and a tight palette keep it from looking like an ordinary kitchen shift.
26. Vampire Musician Costume With Velvet Blazer
A velvet blazer makes a moody musician vampire. A black or burgundy blazer with a black satin shirt, fitted trousers and pointed Chelsea boots form the outfit, the collar open with a thin scarf or layered silver-tone necklaces. Loose waves, a brushed-back shape or a shoulder-length wig suit him. Pale skin, smoky liner, sculpted cheekbones and a berry lip establish the vampire, along with fangs and a few rings. A sheet-music folder or an instrument case is easier to carry than a real instrument; if you do bring one, drop most of the jewelry so you can actually play. Velvet crushes where you sit, so hang the blazer up between sets.
27. Vampire King Costume With Crown
A dark crown turns a formal vampire into royalty. Tailored black pants, a high-collar burgundy shirt and a long black velvet coat with deep red lining set the base, with a wide waistcoat or sash at the torso. Sweep the hair away from the face so the crown sits securely, and anchor it with bobby pins crossed through the hair on each side. Pale skin, strong brows, smoky gray eyes, cool contour and a dark plum lip fit the role. Fangs, black gloves, a faux-jewel medallion and an ornate ring add the royal details. Pick a light crown without sharp points, finish with knee-high boots, and keep everything to black, burgundy and antique silver.
28. White Vampire Costume With Silver Cape
Black isn't the only option. This pale, icy vampire wears white trousers, an ivory ruffled shirt and a fitted silver-gray waistcoat under a light gray or silver-lined cape that ends at the knee. Swept-back white or platinum hair can come from spray or a good wig. I'd pick the wig, since white spray rubs off onto a pale collar and shows. Lavender-gray shadow, silver highlight and soft brows set the face, with clear or white fangs, silver-tone rings and a crystal-look pendant. White or light gray boots finish the monochrome. Don't put pure white across the whole face, because gray contour is what keeps your features from vanishing under a flash.
29. Last-Minute Vampire Costume With Closet Basics
With an hour to go, a few everyday pieces still make a vampire. Black pants, a white button-down and a black blazer or cardigan form the base. Turn the shirt collar up and tie a red scarf or a wide ribbon loosely at the neck. Gel the hair back and apply a foundation a shade or two lighter than usual, gray under the eyes and a muted burgundy lip, then add cheap fangs and a dark ring. If you have a rectangle of black fabric, gather one long edge with a running stitch and pin it at the shoulders with safety pins for a short cape. Black shoes or clean boots finish it. Good grooming does more here than any specialty piece.
30. Casual Vampire Costume With Hoodie
For pure comfort, the hoodie vampire wears a black zip-up, a burgundy T-shirt, slim black jeans and high-top sneakers. Layer a short black cape under the hoodie or wear a hooded cardigan with a longer hem. Hair stays textured and a bit messy. A pale tinted moisturizer, cool taupe around the eyes, defined brows and a soft plum lip are all the makeup it needs, with fangs, fingerless gloves, a silver-tone pendant and dark sunglasses. Drop the hood for photos and while walking, since it cuts your side view more than you'd expect. I'd hand this one to any man answering the door to trick-or-treaters all night.
Pale Makeup That Stays Off a White Collar
Nearly every vampire on this list pairs pale skin with a white or ivory shirt, a combination that tends to end with a gray ring around the collar by midnight. I treat the neck as part of the makeup plan rather than an afterthought, and these steps keep most of it where it belongs.
- Use a foundation one or two shades lighter than your skin, or mix a drop of white into your usual one, rather than full clown white. It reads pale without looking painted.
- Do the makeup in an old T-shirt before you put on the costume shirt, and button up last.
- Blend down the neck only as far as the collar sits, fading it out there instead of stopping in a hard line.
- Set the face and neck with translucent powder, wait a minute, then press off the excess with a tissue.
- Tuck a folded tissue inside the collar for the journey and pull it out at the door.
If makeup does reach the collar, don't scrub it with a wet napkin at the party, which only works it deeper into the weave. Deal with it at home by working a little dish soap into the mark before the shirt goes in the wash.
Velvet and Brocade After a Long Night
Velvet, brocade and satin carry a lot of these looks, and each needs different care. Velvet crushes wherever you sit or lean, so hang a velvet jacket up as soon as you're home and steam it from the inside, never pressing an iron flat on the pile. Brocade seams can feel scratchy along the inside of the arms, which is one more reason to wear a soft undershirt. Satin shows sweat at the underarms more than anything else here, so on a warm night I'd wear the satin shirt under a jacket that stays on.
One Character, Head to Toe
Every vampire here works because it starts with a clear character and carries it through every piece, from a cape or velvet jacket to a hoodie or a chef's apron. Pair the base outfit with deliberate hair, pale but defined makeup, fangs you can talk in, safe props and shoes you can stand in. Stick to a short palette of black, burgundy, white, gray or silver so separate pieces look like they belong together, and adjust the layers for your budget, venue and weather. If I were dressing one man tomorrow, I'd start with the Victorian count, since a thrifted waistcoat and a good cape do most of the work.
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