Last updated: May 4, 2026· By Serdar

Halloween Costume Guide

Nandor the Relentless Halloween Costume Guide

What We Do in the Shadows  ·  Staten Island Vampire  ·  Ancient Warlord

Long cape, medieval armor, white face paint, and the absolute certainty of a 700-year-old vampire who has killed over a thousand men and still cannot figure out the microwave. Thirteen pieces, one iconic silhouette.

What We Do in the Shadows Kayvan Novak Vampire Comedy
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Quick Answer: The Nandor the Relentless Halloween costume is thirteen pieces.
  • Long cape Nandor cloak, white face paint, and vampire fangs (essential)
  • Black curly wig, fake beard, and Nandor contact lenses (complete the face)
  • Chest armor, knight dress armor, leather brigantine, gothic pants, Fresco boots, burgundy ascot, red crystal ring

Nandor the Relentless is a vampire played by Kayvan Novak in the FX series What We Do in the Shadows. A former warlord from the fictional Al Qolnidar who has lived for over 700 years, he now navigates modern Staten Island life with a combination of genuine supernatural menace and spectacular domestic confusion. His medieval warlord aesthetic, defined by the long flowing cape, layered armor pieces, and vampire pallor, makes the nandor costume one of the most visually striking and most immediately recognisable Halloween builds from any current television series. Read more about the character on the Nandor What We Do in the Shadows Wiki page.

Items Total13 Items
DifficultyIntermediate
VibeVampire Warlord
Cost$60-$150

Nandor the Relentless Costume Items

Nandor the Relentless Halloween costume infographic from What We Do in the Shadows showing all thirteen items: Nandor contact lenses, black curly wig, vampire fangs, fake beard, red crystal ring, burgundy ascot, long cape cloak, brown chest armor, white face paint, brown knight dress armor, brown Fresco boots, black gothic pants, and brown leather brigantine

Nandor the Relentless Costume Items

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Nandor What We Do in the Shadows Vampire Halloween
  • 1 Nandor Contact LensesThe vampire eye effect that completes the full Nandor face transformation. Apply before putting on the wig and after the face paint has set. Follow the included lens care instructions carefully.
    See on Twinklens
  • 2 Black Long Curly WigNandor’s long dark curly hair is one of his most immediately recognisable physical details. The black curly wig worn over the white-painted face creates the specific nandor the relentless look that fans of the show will identify instantly.
    See on Amazon
  • 3 Vampire Teeth FangsEssential for the full vampire effect of the Nandor Halloween costume. Worn over the teeth for photos and removed for eating and conversation. One of the three most essential items in the build.
    See on Amazon
  • 4 Fake BeardNandor’s full dark beard is a consistent character detail across all seasons of What We Do in the Shadows. The fake beard applied with adhesive completes the Nandor the Relentless face alongside the wig and fangs.
    See on Amazon
  • 5 Black Stainless Steel Red Crystal RingNandor’s ornate ring is a consistent accessory detail in his appearances throughout the series. The black stainless steel and red crystal combination references the gothic jewellery aesthetic of his character’s medieval warlord identity.
    See on Amazon
  • 6 Burgundy Ascot TieThe burgundy ascot worn at the collar is the vampire nobility detail that bridges Nandor’s medieval armor and his aristocratic vampire aesthetic. Worn before the armor pieces are added.
    See on Amazon
  • 7 Long Cape Nandor CloakThe most visually distinctive item in the Nandor costume and the piece that most immediately communicates the character at any distance. The long floor-length cloak over medieval armor is Nandor’s defining silhouette across all seasons of What We Do in the Shadows.
    See on Amazon
  • 8 Brown Medieval Body Chest ArmorThe primary chest armor piece that establishes Nandor’s medieval warlord aesthetic over the ascot. Forms the core structural layer of the nandor costume beneath the cape.
    See on Amazon
  • 9 White Face Body PaintThe vampire pallor base layer applied across the entire face and neck. The most time-consuming step in the build and one of the three most essential items for achieving the complete Nandor the Relentless look. Apply first, allow to set, then add the beard and wig.
    See on Amazon
  • 10 Brown Knight Dress ArmorSecondary armor piece adding layered depth to the medieval warrior silhouette of the complete Nandor cosplay. Worn alongside the chest armor for the full multi-layered armor effect.
    See on Amazon
  • 11 Brown Fresco BootPeriod-appropriate brown leather-style boots completing the medieval vampire warlord footwear of the full Nandor Halloween costume build from the ground up.
    See on Amazon
  • 12 Black Gothic PantThe dark gothic trousers worn beneath the armor and cape, forming the lower body base of the complete Nandor the Relentless outfit. The black gothic styling is consistent with the overall dark medieval aesthetic of the character.
    See on Amazon
  • 13 Brown Leather BrigantineAdditional leather armor piece that adds the textured, multi-layered warrior look of Nandor’s signature outfit. Worn as the outermost armor layer before the cape.
    See on Amazon
Nandor the Relentless front view from What We Do in the Shadows showing the complete Nandor Halloween costume including long cape cloak, layered brown medieval armor, black curly wig, vampire pallor face paint, and burgundy ascot

How to Style the Nandor Halloween Costume

Face first. Sit at a mirror and apply the white face body paint evenly across the entire face and neck, blending carefully at the jawline so there is no visible line. Allow it to set for five minutes. Add dark eyeshadow around the eye area for the sunken undead effect. Insert the contact lenses. Apply the fake beard using the included adhesive, pressing firmly and holding for thirty seconds. Put on the black long curly wig. Place the vampire fangs. The full Nandor the Relentless face is now complete.

Put on the black gothic pants and fasten the burgundy ascot at the collar. Add the brown medieval chest armor over the ascot. Layer the brown knight dress armor and brown leather brigantine over the chest piece. Put on the brown Fresco boots. Put on the black stainless steel red crystal ring. Swing the long cape cloak on last over everything. Take a moment to sweep it dramatically as you leave. Nandor would.

Face Paint Application: Getting It Right

The white face body paint is the most time-sensitive step in the Nandor costume build. Use a damp sponge rather than a brush for even coverage. Cover from forehead to chin and blend down the neck by at least two centimetres. Set with a light dusting of translucent powder to prevent transfer onto the ascot and collar. Add dark eyeshadow around the eyes after the powder sets. Done correctly the face transformation takes 20 minutes and is the step that most elevates the complete build.

The Fake Beard: Adhesive and Positioning

Use the spirit gum or theatrical adhesive included with the beard rather than general-purpose glue. Apply adhesive to both the face and the back of the beard, allow both to become tacky for 30 seconds, then press firmly from ears inward to the chin. Hold for 60 seconds. The beard should feel fully anchored before putting on the wig. Carry spare spirit gum in a pocket for any edge lifting during the evening.

The Cape: Wearing and Moving in It

Before the event, practise walking, sitting, and turning while wearing the cape so movement feels natural. When walking through crowds, gather the front panel with one hand at mid-thigh to prevent it catching underfoot. When sitting, sweep the cape to the side. For photos, stand at a slight angle: the side view of a floor-length cape photographs more dramatically than a straight-on shot.

In-Character Performance: Being Nandor

Nandor speaks with formal, slightly archaic English and refers to himself by full title when excited. He announces himself upon entering rooms. He treats minor inconveniences as ancient affronts to his dignity. He says “indeed” frequently and with great satisfaction. He is confused by modern technology but refuses to admit it. The physical impression is ancient warrior; the personality is a 700-year-old man who recently discovered podcasts. That combination is what makes the nandor the relentless costume stand out from every other vampire at any Halloween party.

Nandor Group Halloween Costume Ideas

The Staten Island Household

Nandor, Laszlo, Nadja and Colin Robinson

The four main vampire roommates of What We Do in the Shadows in one Halloween group. Nandor’s medieval warlord cape alongside Laszlo’s Victorian dandy look, Nadja’s gothic Eastern European vampire aesthetic, and Colin Robinson’s deliberately mundane business casual energy vampire creates the most visually contrasting group available from any current TV series. Every fan of the show will recognise the household instantly.

Nandor Laszlo Nadja Colin Robinson

Master and Familiar

Nandor and Guillermo de la Cruz

The central relationship of What We Do in the Shadows in a Halloween duo. Nandor’s ancient vampire warlord look alongside Guillermo’s long-suffering familiar aesthetic creates a pairing with immediate narrative recognition and the strong visual contrast between an imposing vampire and his distinctly mortal-looking companion. The Nandor and Guillermo relationship is the emotional core of the series.

Nandor Guillermo

Vampire Crossover

Nandor, Count Dracula and Selene

Three vampires from three completely different corners of vampire fiction. Nandor’s comedic medieval warlord look alongside classic Count Dracula formal wear and Selene’s sleek Underworld tactical aesthetic covers the full range of vampire archetypes: ancient warrior, Victorian aristocrat, and modern action heroine, all sharing the same supernatural heritage.

Nandor Count Dracula Selene

Monster Hunters and Monsters

Nandor, Sam Winchester, Dean Winchester and Petyr

Nandor and Petyr on the vampire side alongside Sam and Dean Winchester as the hunters. The ancient medieval vampire warlord, Petyr’s feral creature design, and the Winchester brothers’ practical hunting gear creates a Halloween group built around the monster-versus-hunter dynamic. A strong group for fans of both shows and an effective Halloween concept even without the crossover knowledge.

Nandor Sam Winchester Dean Winchester Petyr
Nandor the Relentless showing his vampire fangs from What We Do in the Shadows, reference image for the Nandor Halloween costume guide showing the complete face makeup including white face paint, fake beard, black curly wig, and vampire fangs

Nandor Halloween Costume DIY Tips

Build Priority Order

The face pieces, white face paint, vampire fangs, fake beard, black curly wig, and contact lenses, are all character-specific and cannot be substituted without losing the Nandor look. The long cape cloak is the most essential costume piece. The armor layers add depth but can be simplified: the chest armor and leather brigantine with the cape read as Nandor even without the full three-layer stack. A minimum recognisable build is five items: white face paint, vampire fangs, black curly wig, fake beard, and long cape cloak.

  • White face paint, vampire fangs, black curly wig, fake beard = essential face pieces
  • Long cape cloak = the most essential costume piece, creates the silhouette
  • Chest armor and leather brigantine = next priority, establish the warlord aesthetic
  • Contact lenses = optional but significantly elevate the full face effect
  • Black gothic pants, burgundy ascot, ring = finishing details

Full Dress Rehearsal: Why It Matters

The face paint, fake beard, and contact lenses all require technique that improves on the second attempt. A rehearsal the evening before lets you practise face paint blending, test the beard adhesive hold time, confirm contact lens application, and identify any costume fit issues. The rehearsal also gives the face paint a trial run under event lighting, which can look different from the bathroom mirror. Budget 45 minutes and take a photograph to check the full effect before removing everything.

  • Face paint application technique improves significantly on second attempt
  • Beard adhesive hold time varies by product, test the evening before
  • Contact lens application practice prevents event-day delays
  • Check full effect in photographs rather than the bathroom mirror
  • Budget 45 minutes for the rehearsal, same as the actual build time

Nandor Halloween Costume: Frequently Asked Questions

The Nandor Halloween costume is thirteen pieces: contact lenses, black curly wig, vampire fangs, fake beard, red crystal ring, burgundy ascot, long cape cloak, brown chest armor, white face paint, brown knight dress armor, brown Fresco boots, black gothic pants, and brown leather brigantine. The cape, white face paint, and fangs are the three essential purchases. A minimum five-piece build is white face paint, vampire fangs, black curly wig, fake beard, and long cape cloak.

Nandor’s most quoted line: “I am Nandor the Relentless. I have killed over a thousand men,” delivered with total sincerity in mundane domestic situations. His use of “indeed” with great satisfaction and his confused encounters with modern technology are fan-favourite recurring moments. For Halloween: speak formally, announce yourself by full title on arrival, and treat every inconvenience as an ancient affront to your dignity.

Nandor the Relentless is a vampire played by Kayvan Novak in the FX series What We Do in the Shadows. A former warlord from the fictional Al Qolnidar, he has lived for over 700 years and now shares a Staten Island home with vampire roommates Laszlo, Nadja, and Colin Robinson while being served by his familiar Guillermo de la Cruz.

Moderately involved at thirteen pieces, but most of the difficulty is face makeup rather than gear assembly. The white face paint takes 15 to 20 minutes to apply. Once the face is done, the cape, armor, pants, boots, and accessories assemble quickly. Budget 45 minutes total and do a dress rehearsal the night before to practise the face paint and beard adhesive.

The Nandor cape is a long floor-length cloak worn over layered medieval armor. Unlike a standard Dracula cape worn over formal wear, Nandor’s cloak is part of his medieval warlord aesthetic, giving the character his distinctive ancient-warrior-vampire combination. It is the most visually dramatic item in the build and the piece that most immediately creates the Nandor silhouette.

White face paint across the entire face and neck with dark eyeshadow around the eyes. Apply the white paint first with a damp sponge, allow to set, dust with translucent powder to prevent transfer, then add the eye makeup. Fake beard and black curly wig go on after the paint sets. Contact lenses go in after the wig is positioned.