5 Historical Fantasy Cosplay Outfits

The historical fantasy fiction genre has been part of pop culture for decades now. And we’re all the better for it, right geeks! During Halloween parties, we’re just as likely to see a historically accurate vampire costume as a sexy cat. When it comes to cosplay, extra points go to the outfit that goes the extra mile for accuracy.

A year after my 6 DIY Halloween Costumes for Fantasy and Sci-Fi Character Cosplay let’s dive deeper. Here are five cosplay ideas from historical fantasy pop culture and advice from those in the know about how to make an accurate costume.

A Queen in the making – Lady Jane Grey

Amazon Prime Original series, My Lady Jane is set in an alternate sixteenth-century England. Based on the YA historical fantasy novel My Lady Jane by Cynthia Hand, Brodi Ashton, and Jodi Meadows, our main character is Lady Jane Grey, the historically doomed nine-day Queen. The fantastical element? There are Verity, ordinary humans, and Ethians, humans who can take animal form.

The costumes are inspired by rather than fully accurate sixteenth-century English fashions. Yes, the entire century. So you have wriggle room when it comes to historical accuracy. Court Dress of the period involved rich fabric, beading, piping, and slashings. Take a look at a court painting from the era of Edward VI and you can build your cosplay from there. Eagle-eyed fashion historians have recognized that the fabric used in the show is being produced in India, so you can absolutely rock that frock or codpiece today.

But how to get others to read your costume correctly? Adding a fantastical element to your cosplay could be tricky…unless you’re an Ethian. Unlike the shapeshifters in My Lady Jane, you can choose your animal. Create a costume that captures you partway through a transformation. A bird? Add feathers and wings popping out of your back. A horse? Hello, centaur, but you might need a friend.

Want more of a couples costume or BFF cosplay? Let’s step into the night…

When Louis Met Lestat – Louis de Pointe du Lac and Lestat de Lioncourt

In AMC’s Interview with the Vampire, mortal journalist Daniel Molloy is interviewing vampire Louis in modern-day Dubai. Louis begins his story in 1910s New Orleans, one of the main changes from the Anne Rice Vampire Chronicles books this show is based on. Don’t worry, we still get the powdered wigs, just not right away.

Episode one is our meet-cute. Or is it more “meat cute” with Lestat? Anyway, Lestat is a fresh-off-the-boat Frenchman still following the Regency fashions of top hat, frockcoat, and cravat with longer than fashionable hair. Listen, it’s hard to follow fashion when you sleep like the dead for an age. Lestat is immediately drawn to Louis who, currently mortal, is dressed impeccably and threatening his own brother with a sword cane.

In an interview with the Costume Designer Carol Cutshall, Louis is described as struggling between two sides of himself and his outfits reflect this. This show is chock full of historical costuming with references to the character’s journey. Wonderful stuff!

Once you’ve found or made your costume, you’re going to need to vamp it up. You’ll need tasteful fangs, colored contact lenses, and, if you’re Louis, a pair of tinted shades to hide those preternatural peepers.

With the theme of “Superfine: Tailoring Black Style” perhaps we’ll see a few outfits inspired by Louis’ style at the Met Gala 2025.

When you want more of the fantastical, you can dress as

Anyone in The Mummy (1999)

If you’ve not seen The Mummy with Brendan Fraser, Oded Fehr, and Rachel Weisz, go and watch it now. I’ll wait.

This pick is perfect if you’re looking for something from older pop culture that doesn’t require sewing skills. If you have an eye for thrifting, you’ll shine, like YouTuber Rachel Maksy who has dressed like nearly every character.

Make it fantastical with The Book of the Dead – Cardboard Box DIY The Mummy Prop Tutorial. Or a few Coptic jars. Add a cat if you really want to keep the mummy away.

If you’re ready to sing and dance, you can be

Practically Perfect in Every Way – Mary Poppins

If you’re in the mood for a musical historical fantasy, look no further than Mary Poppins (1964) with Julie Andrews and Dick Van Dyke. Set in Edwardian London, the magical governess Mary Poppins herself is the ideal pick. She flies, y’all, so don’t forget her chatty umbrella. Her everyday attire could be put together from vintage finds.

If you want a showstopper it has to be the Jolly Holiday Dress. The movie version has a 1950s tea-length circle skirt rather than an Edwardian recreation.

If period historical accuracy is more important than movie accuracy, YouTuber Bernadette Banner has you covered. Based on a real Edwardian Lingerie dress, the makers amongst you can be extra extra after watching   I Remade Mary Poppins’ Dress to be Actually Edwardian.

If you dress as the chimney sweep and street artist, Bert, my British assistant asks you not to copy Dick van Dyke’s “accent” as it is offensive to her people.

Those are five historical fantasy costume ideas from pop culture. Which will you pick? What historical fantasy book, movie or show character have you cosplayed as?