The Dracula-style vampire is a fun Halloween costume for children and adults alike.
Holidays and parties offer fun opportunities to dress up, but many store-bought costumes are expensive and poorly made. Instead of wasting money on an outfit you will only wear a few times a year, consider assembling your own costume out of household items to save money and create a unique look. The vampire costume is a classic Halloween favorite that lends itself well to a homemade touch.
Essential Accessories
The most important element of a vampire costume is the cape, which you can purchase at a costume store or make at home. A black sheet, or piece of inexpensive black fabric pinned to the shoulders makes a perfect cloak without any sewing needed. If you prefer a more elaborate costume, you may sew or tape a colored fabric lining onto the inside of the larger piece of black fabric. An even cheaper option is to cut a black plastic bag in half and tie the handles around your neck. Another must-have accessory is a set of vampire fangs, which you can purchase for a few dollars.
Male Vampire Costume
A traditional male vampire wears formal attire, usually a white shirt and black pants. Any fancy clothing you have on hand will suffice, but for the most iconic look wear a tuxedo shirt, bow tie and vest. Cummerbunds, canes or white gloves are also excellent accessories to dress up this costume. If your closet doesn't contain the appropriate formal wear, check in a secondhand clothing store for cheap, used pieces.
Female Vampire Costume
A woman's vampire outfit is even more versatile than a man's. Any type of black underclothing is appropriate, commonly a black dress and shoes. Even if you have no all-black clothes, other colors can work too -- especially red, gray or bright Halloween orange. Secondhand dresses of all shapes, colors and sizes are plentiful and inexpensive at thrift stores.
Vampire Makeup
To look like a classic vampire, you will need to lighten your complexion. If you own white face paint or very pale foundation, use it on your face and neck for a bloodless appearance. A cheaper option is baby powder, which you can pat on with a makeup puff or cotton balls. Be careful not to spill white powder on your black clothing. If you have regular makeup, apply black eyeliner and eyeshadow, and dark red lipstick. Another nice addition is fake blood, made out of cornstarch, corn syrup and red food coloring. Mix 3 tbsp. cornstarch with syrup until you reach your desired consistency, then add drops of food coloring until the mixture is dark red. Add a dab to the corner of your mouth to complete the vampire look.
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