Zombie Costume
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Zombies have been a Halloween staple since Night of the Living Dead in 1968, and a TV and movie boom kept them in the top ten. The best part? A zombie can be anything. Your regular clothes plus some decay is a full costume.
What Makes It Work
Start with a “before” identity. A zombie bride, zombie nurse, zombie football player or zombie office worker is much more fun than a generic one, and it tells people a little story.
Then wreck the clothes. Tear them, drag them through dirt, splash on some fake blood and let it dry. Rips should look like they happened during a struggle, not with scissors in a straight line.
The makeup sells it. Gray or green-tinted skin, dark sunken eyes, some cracked lips and a wound or two made with liquid latex or scar wax. Then work on the walk. Stiff, dragging, a little lopsided.
What People Get Wrong
Clean clothes with a bloody face. If the clothes look fresh from the store, the costume looks fake. Distress everything. Also, wet fake blood gets on furniture, car seats and other guests, so use a drying formula or let it set before you leave.
Buy It or Build It?
Kits run about $20 to $60, but zombie is the ultimate budget costume. Old clothes from a thrift store, a $10 makeup kit with fake blood and a little patience is all you need.
Where to Buy
| Retailer | What they carry | |
|---|---|---|
| Amazon | Costume kits, wigs and accessories | Shop on Amazon |
FAQ
How do I make fake zombie wounds?
Build up a few thin layers of liquid latex mixed with tissue, let them dry, then tear a gap in the middle and fill it with red and dark makeup and a little fake blood.
How do I distress clothes for a zombie costume?
Cut small slits, then tear them by hand. Rub dirt or brown and gray paint into the fabric, and splatter dried fake blood around the rips.
Will fake blood stain my clothes?
Most will. Use washable fake blood if you want the clothes back, and test it on a hidden spot first.
What's a good zombie group costume?
Pick a theme: a zombie prom, a zombie sports team, zombie wedding party. It looks planned and it’s easy for everyone to put together.
Next up: Mummy Costume
See Also
Free: The Last-Minute Costume Cheat Sheet
Ten costumes you can make tonight, mostly from your own closet. One page, printable, plus a short email before each costume season. No spam.