Colors

• Darkest black and deep ruby red suggest both the dark of night and flowing blood, so they make great combinations in vampire costumes. Vampires are (usually) thought of as being formally dressed, so any combination of fancy clothes in blood red, black and crispest white will look appropriate.
  
  A black cape with red lining lets the wearer flash red at will, or a plush red vest can make the look with a black tuxedo. A male vampire can also wear a crimson, formal shirt under his velvet vest. A watch and chain will look most appropriate, as will ruffles on the shirt.
  
  A female vampire in a deep red silk shirt, black skirt, and possibly black bodice would look positively evil. Or a long dress with a cape, each of either color.
  
  A fun and slightly different idea is to wear a long dress and in-line skates underneath, so that it looks like the vampire is gliding along like a ghost.
  
  

Makeup

• More subtle makeup send chills up people's spines than obvious, theatrical character makeup.
  
  For the crowning glory to a vampire costume (the makeup) a shade of foundation that is too light for the person's skin, or thinly applied white, is appropriate. Baby powder over the wet makeup is better than setting powder (because baby powder is white, and setting powder is clear or flesh toned).
  
  Dark circles can be brushed under the eyes with darkest brown or black powder, and also in the hollows of the cheeks. Dabbing a dot of red at the inner eyes can give a ghastly effect. And either blood red or black lips are quite chilling.
  
  Wigs are optional but not necessary. If wigless, a good vampire hairdo is slicked back or up with a firm hold hair gel. Pulling long hair back into a bun will give a female vampire a harsh look, which can work very well, or leave the hair down and windswept.
  
  Ratting the hair of a wig and distressing the costume pieces will give that "fresh from the grave" look.
  
  

Attire and Accessories

• Bat wings make a fun addition to a scary vampire costume. They can either be bought at costume and Halloween shops, or made at home with wire and fabric.
  
  Another way to give a vampire wings is to sew material that looks like a bat wing under the arms and down the sides of the vampire costume.
  
  Fangs are a popular vampire costume piece, and the design of fangs has come a long way from the plastic dime-store variety. Today people sell realistic-looking fangs for scary vampires and other Goth characters.
  
  More recent vampires have been seen with cigarettes, so even if you don't smoke feel free to use an unlit one as a prop.