Gentlemen, your invitation has arrived. Now comes the question: what does one wear to a vampire ball?
You can take one of two approaches:
- Find a complete costume. The simplest option when you want everything coordinated and ready to wear.
- Build your own character. Begin with clothing you already own, then add a distinctive shirt, velvet waistcoat, tailcoat, jewelry, or other gothic details.
Your outfit does not have to be historically perfect or terribly expensive. It should simply look intentional, feel appropriate for an elegant vampire ball, and allow you to dance comfortably.
Leader Costume Ground Rules
Dress pants
Dress pants are mandatory.
No jeans. No shorts.
Choose a comfortable pair that lets you take full steps and move freely.
Gloves
Mandatory for all ballgoers and highly encouraged as an essential part of ballroom culture. They complete the formal silhouette and make partner dancing more comfortable.
Shoes
Comfortable dress shoes.
Choose shoes you have worn before, preferably with soles that can slide a little while dancing.
No sneakers.
Colors & fabrics
Dark, dramatic colors: black, deep red, burgundy, purple.
Lace, satin, velvet, and textured fabrics work beautifully.
No strict material requirements. Choose something you feel confident dancing in.
For visual inspiration, explore our Blood Moon Ball costume inspiration board.
Where to Find a Men’s Vampire Outfit
Here are our recommendations, beginning with the most affordable options.
1. Facebook Marketplace: $
Search for complete vampire, gothic, Victorian, or steampunk costumes.
For individual pieces, look for a poet shirt, velvet waistcoat, brocade vest, tailcoat, frock coat, or formal black jacket. You may also find retired theatre and Halloween costumes at excellent prices.
2. Thrift Stores: $
Value Village and other thrift stores bring out their Halloween collections in early autumn. Look for vampire and historical costumes, pirate shirts, velvet jackets, decorative waistcoats, lace, and unusual formalwear.
Do not worry if an item was not originally designed as a vampire costume. A velvet jacket or ruffled shirt can become suitably immortal with the right styling.
3. SHEIN and ROMWE: $
SHEIN’s ROMWE line has inexpensive gothic shirts, jacquard waistcoats, satin pieces, and decorative formalwear.
Three pieces to consider:
Read the garment measurements carefully before selecting your size.
4. Amazon: $–$$
Amazon offers complete Victorian and vampire costumes as well as individual shirts, coats, capes, and waistcoats.
Try searching for:
- “Victorian vampire outfit men” or “gothic outfit men”
- “Vampire jacket,” “Victorian ruffle shirt,” or “gothic waistcoat”
- “Velvet tailcoat,” “brocade vest,” or “men’s cravat”
Three examples:
5. Dracula Clothing: $–$$
The name may not be subtle, but neither is a vampire ball.
Dracula Clothing carries a wide variety of gothic clothing at surprisingly approachable prices. Explore their themed shirts and waistcoats, as well as their jackets, coats, collars, gloves, and jewelry.
Look for ruffled cotton shirts, brocade waistcoats, high collars, velvet, metal buttons, and rich black-and-burgundy combinations. One good shirt or waistcoat can carry the entire outfit.
6. Spirit Halloween: $–$$
This year’s Spirit Halloween vampire collection has some genuinely good options. You can find full costumes or purchase a dramatic jacket to pair with your own shirt, black trousers, and formal shoes.
Some appropriate choices include:
A jacket is often the easiest solution. Add a cream or black shirt, fitted trousers, gloves, and one small accessory, and the outfit is complete.
7. Fashion Nova: $$
If you would prefer something you can wear again, begin with formal black clothing and add a little theatrical detail.
The Star Gazer embellished black jacket would work beautifully with a black or cream shirt, fitted trousers, gloves, and a ruby-coloured accessory.
It is not technically a vampire costume, but that may be precisely the advantage.
8. Historical Clothing Stores: $$
For clothing with a more historical silhouette, explore Renaissance Wardrobe and Historical Emporium.
Renaissance Wardrobe offers cotton shirts, tunics, and doublets that can be incorporated into a vampire outfit. A good historical shirt is also something you can wear again to Renaissance fairs, festivals, and future balls.
Historical Emporium offers Victorian and Edwardian men’s shirts with high collars, bib fronts, band collars, and fuller sleeves. Pair one with a dark waistcoat, fitted trousers, and a brooch or cravat.
A white or cream shirt is often more effective than an entirely black outfit. The contrast makes your silhouette and accessories more visible in photographs.
9. HARD’N’HEAVY: $$
HARD’N’HEAVY carries an extensive selection of gothic, Victorian, and steampunk shirts.
Look for jacquard fabrics, ruffled collars, lace jabots, puffed sleeves, embroidery, and detachable collars. These shirts are dramatic enough to become the main feature of your Blood Moon Ball outfit, so the remaining pieces can stay relatively simple.
10. HolyClothing: $$–$$$
For a softer, older, and more romantic interpretation of the vampire theme, consider HolyClothing’s Trystan vest or Orion shirt.
These pieces would suit an ancient vampire, wandering nobleman, dark prince, or gentleman who was already old when the Victorians arrived. They can also be worn again to fantasy events and Renaissance fairs.
11. Etsy: $$$
Etsy is one of the more expensive options, but it is a good place to find unusual, handmade, or made-to-measure pieces.
This Victorian red tapestry vest would make an excellent centrepiece for a Blood Moon Ball costume. Pair it with a black or cream shirt, dark trousers, and simple accessories.
Etsy is best for gentlemen who want something distinctive, have a larger costume budget, or need a garment made to specific measurements.
Rent a Vampire Costume in Victoria
You can also rent a complete costume instead of purchasing one.
Two local options are:
Ask about vampire, Victorian, gothic, aristocratic, and historical men’s costumes, as well as frock coats, tailcoats, waistcoats, and capes.
Fabrics and Colours to Look For
The right material can make even a simple outfit feel appropriate for an elegant Halloween ball.
Look for:
- Velvet or velour
- Brocade and jacquard
- Satin
- Lace
- Embroidery
- Linen or cotton for a more natural historical appearance
- Dark metallic details
Black is the easiest foundation, but an entirely black outfit can disappear in evening photographs. Consider adding burgundy, oxblood, deep red, cream, antique gold, silver, forest green, or dark teal.
A cream shirt beneath a black waistcoat, for example, will usually photograph better than a black shirt beneath a black jacket.
Make Sure You Can Dance in It
The Blood Moon Ball is an immersive Halloween event with historic social dancing. Your costume needs to do more than look impressive while you stand perfectly still.
Avoid clothing that is extremely heavy or restricts your shoulders, arms, or legs. You should be able to raise your arms, turn, take a comfortable step, and move around the dance floor without constantly adjusting your outfit.
Be especially careful with:
- Very long capes and coat tails
- Loose chains
- Heavy layers
- Tight shoulders
- Restrictive trousers
- Slippery or uncomfortable shoes
Try on the complete outfit before the pre-ball dance workshop. Walk in it, sit in it, turn in it, and lift your arms. Your future dance partners will appreciate the preparation.
Gloves Are Strongly Recommended
Gloves were traditionally an important part of ball attire, and we strongly recommend wearing them to the Blood Moon Ball.
They complete the formal silhouette while making hand contact during partner dancing feel softer and more comfortable. Simple dress gloves that complement your costume are entirely sufficient. Black, cream, white, grey, or burgundy can all work.
If you cannot find a pair, we will bring a small selection to the pre-ball dance workshop on October 24. Guests will be able to purchase gloves directly from us while supplies last.
Accessories: The Final Drop of Blood
Accessories transform formal clothing into a character.
For a men’s vampire costume, think of roses, blood, rubies, lace, silver, antique gold, and objects that appear to carry a family curse.
Consider adding:
- A cravat or neck scarf
- A decorative cravat pin
- A rose, ruby, or cameo brooch
- A signet ring
- A chain or pocket watch
- One dramatic earring
- A necklace or pendant
- A dark red pocket square
Jewelry is entirely appropriate for a gentleman at a vampire ball. You are not dressing for a quarterly meeting. A little decadence is encouraged.
We will also bring a small collection of accessories for purchase at the October 24 workshop.
Join the Blood Moon Ball in Victoria
The Blood Moon Ball takes place on Friday, October 30, 2026 in Victoria. It is a beginner-friendly Halloween ball with historic dancing, gothic music, candlelight, costumes, and a four-hour dance workshop included with your ticket.
No previous dance experience is required. You simply need a costume, a willingness to learn, and perhaps a convincing explanation for why you have not aged since 1897.
Get your ticket to the Blood Moon Ball
A separate Blood Moon Ball costume guide for the ladies is coming next.
