What We Do in the Shadows Costume
Bring Staten Island's favorite ancient vampires to life this Halloween.
What We Do in the Shadows is a hit mockumentary series following a group of traditional vampires living together in modern-day Staten Island. Fans love dressing up as these characters for their hilarious blend of high-end Victorian gothic fashion and mundane suburban life. This guide helps you assemble the signature aristocratic vampire look, with specific styling options for Laszlo, Nadja, and Nandor.
- Difficulty
- Medium
- Time
- ~45 min
- Budget
- $40–120
Try it on
See yourself as What We Do in the Shadows
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What you need for a What We Do in the Shadows costume
Short on time? Buy it ready-made
Spirit Halloween sells the complete What We Do in the Shadows costume — one box instead of 6 pieces.
Velvet Victorian Tailcoat
A deep burgundy, purple, or black velvet tailcoat with ornate buttons and wide lapels.
DIY: Use a dark blazer and fabric glue to attach lace trim to the cuffs.
Ruffled Poet Shirt
A white or cream long-sleeved shirt with a ruffled collar and billowy sleeves.
DIY: Pin a white lace handkerchief or ruffled fabric to the collar of a standard white dress shirt.
Gothic Lace Dress
A long-sleeved, high-necked black lace gown with a Victorian silhouette for a Nadja look.
DIY: Pair a long black maxi skirt with a high-necked black lace blouse.
Vampire Fangs
Realistic, custom-fitting plastic fangs that attach to your canine teeth.
Antique Silver Rings
Chunky, gothic-style silver rings with dark faux gemstones.
DIY: Paint plastic toy rings with silver metallic nail polish.
Dark Styled Wig
A dark brown wavy wig for Laszlo, or a long black wig with straight bangs and twin hair buns for Nadja.
DIY: Style your own hair using hairpins to create Nadja's signature top buns.
Rather not assemble it? See ready-made What We Do in the Shadows costumes at Spirit Halloween ↗
How to put it together
- 1
Choose your character: Select Laszlo (tailcoat and trousers), Nadja (high-neck gothic gown), or Nandor (ornate cape and tunic).
- 2
Layer your base: Put on a white ruffled poet shirt or a high-collared black lace top.
- 3
Add the outerwear: Layer a dark velvet vest and a long Victorian tailcoat or cape over your shirt.
- 4
Style the hair: Use a dark wig to recreate Nadja's signature twin hair buns or Laszlo's slicked-back, wavy hair.
- 5
Apply the fangs: Secure realistic custom-fit vampire fangs using dental adhesive.
- 6
Accessorize: Put on multiple chunky, antique-style silver rings and a dramatic medallion or amulet.
Makeup & hair
Keep your face pale using a light foundation or white face powder, adding subtle grey eyeshadow under the eyes for a sunken, undead look. For Nadja, style hair into two high buns on top of the head with long, straight black hair flowing down; for Laszlo, style dark hair into voluminous, swept-back waves.
What We Do in the Shadows for couples, groups, kids & more
- couples
- Go as Laszlo and Nadja, coordinating in matching dark Victorian velvet and lace outfits.
- group
- Assemble the full household: Laszlo, Nadja, Nandor, Colin Robinson (in a beige cardigan), and Guillermo (in a sweater vest and wire glasses).
- kids
- Dress kids as mini-vampires in capes, or a tiny Guillermo with fake glasses and a wooden stake.
- Plus size
- Victorian-style capes, loose poet shirts, and empire-waist gothic gowns offer comfortable, adjustable fits for all body types.
- pet
- Dress your dog as 'The Baron' in a tiny red velvet cape.
Tips
- Use thermoplastic dental beads for fangs so you can easily pop them out to eat or drink.
- Thrift stores are excellent sources for vintage velvet blazers, lace blouses, and chunky costume jewelry.
- If dressing as Laszlo, carry a fake witch skin hat (or a regular top hat with a cursed look) as a fun prop.
What We Do in the Shadows costume FAQ
- How do I make a DIY Nadja costume?
- Combine a long black maxi skirt with a long-sleeved black lace top, add a ruffled white neck collar (jabot), and style your hair into two high buns with straight bangs.
- What does Colin Robinson wear?
- The energy vampire wears mundane office attire: a beige or grey zippered cardigan, khaki trousers, wire-rimmed glasses, and a dull, blank expression.
- How do I style Laszlo's hair?
- Use a dark brown, medium-length wavy wig, or style your own hair with pomade to create a voluminous, swept-back Victorian gentleman look.
Did you know? The show's costume designer, Laura Montgomery, sources real antique Victorian pieces and trims to give the characters' outfits an authentic, centuries-old weight.