Zombie Cosplay Guide

Character Overview: The Undead Rising

Zombies are iconic figures in horror culture, known for their eerie, shambling movements and decayed, grotesque appearances. Often associated with apocalyptic themes, movies like Night of the Living Dead, The Walking Dead, and World War Z, as well as video games like Resident Evil, have solidified the zombie's place in pop culture. Cosplaying as a zombie allows for creativity, whether you prefer a classic, shambling horror movie zombie or a more modern, faster-moving version.

Zombies are typically characterized by their rotting flesh, disheveled clothing, and eerie, bloodshot eyes. Depending on which kind of zombie you want to create—whether it's a classic slow-moving zombie or a more modern, aggressive type—there are specific details that will make your look stand out. The beauty of zombie cosplay is that it can be as terrifying, as funny, or as grotesque as you want!

Key Visuals: Iconic Features of Zombies

Zombies have specific visual traits that define their look. Here’s what to focus on when cosplaying as a zombie:

• Flesh: Zombie skin is usually pale, decayed, and often has a grey or greenish tint, depending on the state of decomposition.

• Eyes: Zombie eyes are often bloodshot, with a glazed-over or milky appearance, reflecting the death and decay of their former selves.

• Wounds and Scars: Rips, tears, and gory wounds are central to a zombie look. Flesh hanging off the bones, exposed ribs, or open wounds create a terrifying appearance.

• Clothing: Zombies often wear tattered, worn-out clothing. The state of their attire depends on how long they’ve been dead—ragged clothing is the hallmark of most zombies.

• Blood and Gore: Bloody details and gore are key components of a zombie look. Think about where blood might have pooled or splattered and add to the effect.

• Shambling Movements: The way you move is just as important as your look. Zombies typically shuffle or drag their feet, often with jerky, slow motions.

Costume Breakdown: Decayed, Gruesome, and Gory

A zombie costume is all about the decay and destruction of the human body. Here’s how to break down the key elements for an undead look:

Tattered Clothing

Zombies wear clothing that has been worn and torn through constant movement and decay. The clothing is often dirty, ripped, and stained with blood or grime.

• Material: Opt for clothing that is already worn or old. You can buy cheap clothes from thrift stores and tear them up for that distressed, zombie look. Focus on distressed jeans, torn shirts, or ragged dresses for your zombie attire.

• Details: Make sure the clothing is dirty and stained with blood (or fake blood). You can use fabric paints, red food coloring, or special zombie paints to create stains that look like dried blood or mud.

• Tip: Rip holes in the clothing or cut edges frayed to mimic the decay that the zombie has experienced. Don't be afraid to go overboard—tattered clothing adds to the overall horror effect.

Footwear

Zombies don’t wear shiny shoes, so keep the footwear worn-out and grimy.

• Material: Use old shoes that can be easily distressed—sneakers, boots, or flats work well. Scrape them on the ground to create scuffs and dirt marks.

• Details: You can use paints to make the shoes look bloody and worn. Focus on scuffing the soles and making them look like they've been dragged along the ground for miles.

• Tip: Avoid anything too pristine; the shoes should reflect the zombie’s struggle through the environment.

Gloves and Accessories

Zombies don’t typically wear accessories, but adding some details like a necklace, belt, or watch that’s fallen apart or been pulled off can add extra character.

• Material: You can distress and tear any accessories you have. Think about the scene in a zombie apocalypse: someone might wear a bracelet that’s been ripped off or a belt that’s hanging loosely.

• Tip: Add fake wounds or pieces of “flesh” protruding from these accessories for added realism.

Hair, Makeup & Nails: Rotting, Bloody, and Glorious

Zombies don’t have perfectly styled hair or clean faces. The key is to look decayed, dirty, and unkempt.

Hair

Zombie hair is typically messy, greasy, and often dirty. It may look matted, tangled, or with patches of hair missing, reflecting the decay process.

• Style: If your hair is long, go for a disheveled, bedhead look with some strands falling out or tangled. Use a temporary hair color spray to create a dirty or greyish look.

• Tip: For short hair, use hairspray to make it stand up in uneven patches or tease it to look as if it’s been through a battle with dirt and death.

Makeup

Zombie makeup is all about creating the illusion of death and decay. Focus on pale, greyish skin with added bruises, cuts, and blood. Zombie makeup should be gruesome and exaggerated to stand out in a cosplay setting.

• Base: Start with a pale foundation or white body paint to create a lifeless, ashen look. Use a grey or greenish color to give your skin an unhealthy, decomposing appearance.

• Wounds and Scars: Apply liquid latex or scar wax to create gory wounds. You can use special makeup effects kits to add wounds, tears in the skin, or exposed bone. Use red and black makeup to create the look of fresh blood and bruising around your wounds.

• Eyes: For the eyes, use contact lenses that give a milky or bloodshot look. Milky white lenses are great for a traditional zombie look, while red veins or yellow contacts can make the look even more terrifying.

• Tip: Blend darker shades of makeup around the eyes to add depth and make them appear hollow and sunken. Highlight the cheekbones with dark eyeshadow to add to the gaunt, decayed look.

Nails

Zombies typically have dirty, broken nails that are also covered in grime or blood.

• Nail Art: Use dark nail polish to create the look of dirty, chipped nails. You can also use fake blood to add a fresh, bloody effect on your nails, or use black polish with cracks to simulate decayed, broken nails.

• Tip: Add dirt or brown makeup underneath the nails to make them appear even grimmer.

Materials List

Here’s what you’ll need to assemble your Zombie cosplay:

• Tattered clothing (old clothes, jeans, shirts, or dresses that you can rip or stain)

• Red food coloring or special zombie blood paint (for blood stains)

• Old shoes (that can be distressed and dirtied)

• Liquid latex or scar wax (for wounds and scars)

• Grey or green face paint (for a decayed, pale complexion)

• Dark eyeshadow and black eyeliner (for a sunken, hollow look around the eyes)

• Amber or white contact lenses (for a dead or bloodshot eye effect)

• Fake blood (for wounds, hands, and mouth)

• Fake nails or black nail polish (for chipped, dirty nails)

• Temporary hair color spray (to dirty your hair and add grey tones)

Skill Level & Tips

Zombie cosplay is ideal for beginners to intermediate cosplayers, especially for those who are comfortable with makeup and using special effects products like liquid latex. The most challenging aspects of the cosplay are the makeup and crafting wounds, but with practice, you can achieve a horrifying, detailed look.

Tips:

• Outfit: Be sure to use old clothes that you don’t mind tearing up. Make the outfit look authentic by adding dirt, blood, and even mud stains.

• Hair: Keep your hair messy and unkempt. Use hair gel or temporary color spray to create a dirty, chaotic look.

• Makeup: Focus on building layers of decay with foundation, bruising, and wound makeup. The more layers you add, the more gruesome and realistic your zombie will look.

• Props: Consider using props like a broken weapon, blood-stained gloves, or even a fake severed limb to complete your look.

Attitude & Poses: Embodying Storm’s Power and Confidence

Zombies are known for their slow, shuffling movements and eerie, empty stares. When posing as a zombie, think about embodying the decay and lifelessness of the character.

• Shambling Pose: Stand with your arms outstretched and your feet dragging. This is the classic zombie pose, representing their slow and unsteady movements.

• Reaching Pose: Extend one arm as though reaching for a potential victim. This adds a threatening and hungry look.

• Dramatic Stare: Stand with a blank, soulless stare, looking as though you’re in pursuit of your next meal.

Group Cosplay Ideas: Zombie Apocalypse

Zombies are perfect for a group cosplay. You can join a Zombie Apocalypse group, which could include different kinds of zombies, survivors, or even specific zombie characters from movies or video games. Think about pairing up with others who can dress as iconic zombies like those from The Walking Dead, or go as different variations of zombies from pop culture.

With this Zombie cosplay guide, you’re ready to bring the undead to life. Whether you're looking for a classic, shambling zombie or a more modern, fast-moving type, this guide will help you achieve a gruesome, terrifying look perfect for any cosplay event.