Vampire style has come along way since Buffy Summer staked leather-clad Amilyn in the movie that spawned all future teen vampire movies, "Buffy the Vampire Slayer."
While Amilyn (played by Paul Reubens) wore stereotypical leather garb, bad graphic tees and crazy hair which looked as if he stuck a fork into a toaster, today’s vampires are a little less fashion challenged. In fact, they’re pretty stylish.
As we anticipate the return of “True Blood” on June 16 and the new CW series “The Originals” which premieres in Fall 2013, we look back at some of the most stylish vamps that have graced the airwaves.
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Stylish On-Screen Vampires
Angel - "Buffy the Vampire Slayer" (TV series)
Brooding bad boy Angel (played by David Boreanaz) always looked stylishly dark. Sure, he always wore black but man, did he wear it well. Angel was the king of the button down shirt and blazer combo and we loved his signature leather jacket. If you are a Billy Idol fan, you might have considered Angel’s vampire rival, Spike, a well-dressed vamp but we’re going to leave that one up to Buffy to decide.
Vampire Bill, Pam Swynford De Beaufort, Sophie-Anne - "True Blood"
Fast forward to the vampires of now. Many of us are frothing at the mouth waiting for HBO’s “True Blood” Season 6. This show has given us a bevy of sexy and stylish vampires. We’re having trouble choosing but if we had to, we’d have to go with Vampire Bill who, unlike many vamps, explores colours.
As one of protagonist Sookie Stackhouse’s love interests, Bill sizzles in tailored suits, tuxedos and yes, he also wears the vampire uniform of black t-shirts and leather bombers.
We also had trouble choosing between vampire Pam Swynford De Beaufort (played by Kristin Bauer van Straten) and the Queen of Louisiana, Sophie-Anne (played by Evan Rachel Wood). Pam loves her corsets, mandarin collars, leather and embellished dresses. She always looks killer but her style is definitely an acquired taste.
Queen Sophie-Anne on the other hand, is the picture of haute couture and femininity. She wears Balmain-esque blazers, Oscar-worthy beaded gowns, luxurious furs, and chandelier earrings dripping in crystals and pearl necklaces enough to make the Queen of England jealous.
Damon and Stefan Salvatore - "The Vampire Diaries"
It’s really a toss up when it comes to vampire brothers, Damon and Stefan Salvatore from “The Vampire Diaries”. Both brothers hold it down when it comes to style. You’ll see them rocking fitted military coats, leather jackets, suits and we can even appreciate Stefan’s casual looks consisting of checkered or plaid button downs, hoodies and Henleys.
Carlisle Cullen - "Twilight"
What kind of vampire style critics would we be if we left out teen frenzy-inducing vampire trilogy, “Twilight”? Sorry to disappoint all the Edward Cullen fanatics out there but the clear style winner in this vampire love story is Cullen patriarch, Carlisle Cullen played by Peter Facinelli.
If you ignore his semi-creepster face and bizarre white blond hair, this vampire could be on the cover of GQ. And talk about an expert at layering; Carlisle knows how to put together an en pointe preppy outfit. He rocks the sweater over dress shirt combo (a hot dad must-have), bringing the ensemble together with a great tie and sport coat. We also love his penchant for throwing a masculine scarf into his outfits, giving him an ultra polished appearance.
Louis de Pointe du Lac and Lestat de Lioncourt - "Interview With the Vampire"
It’s pretty common in a vampire movie or TV show for the vamps to flash back to when they were mortals, usually sometime in the Victorian era. That’s why we couldn't leave out a film which really made vampires cool. Case in point, Anne Rice's "Interview With the Vampire," the 1994 flick which starred Brad Pitt and Tom Cruise, who dressed up in 18th Century garb as Louis and Lestat.
Even now, we can appreciate historic crushed velvet coats, taffeta waistcoats and Fall Front breeches. Suck it, Edward Cullen!