Friday, August 7, 2009 at 10:27AM
Vampire Costumes: serious Halloween funFolklore has brought us many creatures, but none as famous as the vampire. When we consider the vampire, we of course think of Dracula. But Dracula’s legendary persona of aristocratic evil has not always been the character’s main façade. Throughout history, vampires have gone through several incarnations; they were originally shrouded, and of a ruddy and bloated appearance, and markedly less sinister than their modern day counterparts. They revisited their hometowns to see loved ones and cause disturbances, but interestingly, these vampires were generally depicted without fangs.
Scholars think the vampire may have been born out of the medieval legend of ‘revenants,’ which were ghosts or corpses that returned from the grave to terrorize the living. Gradually the legend developed into the ruddy vampire, before being transformed in the 19th centuries, first by the publication of The Vampyre by John William Polidori and then by Bram Stoker’s legendary book Dracula. Dracula sealed the direction of contemporary vampire literature and the dead Count has become the epitome of the vampire in human imaginations. A charming undead nobleman, Dracula had the strength of at least 20 men and lived in a decaying castle in his hometown of Transylvania.
Like the famous witch, the vampire has real blood on their hands. Legends of blood sucking undead have historically led to mass hysteria, resulting in corpses being staked and innocents being accused of vampiricism. Vampires still make the pulse race and the skin sweat just as they did centuries ago. And for that reason there is simply no greater Halloween costume. Here at All Fancy Dress we pride ourselves on being able to deliver not just a vampire costume, but the ultimate vampire costume. So read on to find out how to become a prince of the undead.
Firstly, vampires are known for their long billowing cloaks. How else could they fly on the wind and shape shift sneakily into bats? Get the black vampire cloak, cross your arms under it and let out a truly maniacal laugh! Or alternatively get the vampire costume which has a cloak but also includes an attached vest and shirt for the truly Transylvanian look. Vampires also bite their victims’ necks for their supply of blood which sustains their strength and keeps them alive. You’ll need a pair of strong curvaceous canines for optimum efficiency, so we recommend the Billy Bob vampire teeth which feature two very prominent fangs. The pallored appearance of modern day vampires is also easy to achieve. The Vampire Make up Kit comes with three colours so you can mix and match for the perfect look.
Dracula's seductive look includes long slicked back black hair. Thankfully you won't need to buy lots of wax or grease because All Fancy Dress stocks a range of vampire wigs for even the pickiest transylvanian wannabe. For an optional extra to set you apart from the rest, get the Dracula medallion. Dracula was known as a necromancer – someone who attempts to summon spirits into the corporeal world. The medallion will help you store all the spirits you manage to contact.
Vampire Costume Ideas
Also any modern Vampire wannabe can't be without his Twilight accessories and costumes.
Twlight Film Costumes
For more ideas, see our Halloween party outfits. Have a fantastic blood-sucking Halloween from all of us here at All Fancy Dress.