Nobody should buy a costume for a murder mystery party. The right theme is one where the costume is two items from the wardrobe and one accessory, and the host has a bowl of props by the door for whoever ignored the invitation. This is how to do that for the three most common themes, and then by character type, which is where the fun is.
The two-item rule
The dress code on the invitation should name two things. Not “1920s glamour”, but “a hat and something that sparkles”. Guests can act on two items. They cannot act on a mood.
Below, every theme gets its two items, then the extras for people who want to go further.
1920s speakeasy
The two items: a hat, and something that sparkles.
From the wardrobe. A white shirt with the sleeves rolled, braces or a waistcoat, dark trousers. A straight or drop-waist dress, a long necklace, a headband. Anything with fringe. Black and gold and cream.
One accessory each. A fedora or flat cap. A feather in a headband. A cigarette holder, unlit. Long gloves. A pocket watch on a chain, which can be any watch on any chain.
By character. The singer: the sparkliest thing in the house and a flower in the hair. The bootlegger: a waistcoat and a flat cap. The cop: a trench coat. The bartender: white shirt, black waistcoat, a towel over the shoulder. The heiress: pearls, all of them. The countess: a shawl and a tiara, however fake. Our Speakeasy mystery gives every character a two-line costume hint on their phone, so guests do not have to guess.
Gothic manor / Halloween
The two items: black clothes, and one accessory.
From the wardrobe. Everyone owns black. A black dress, a black shirt and trousers, a black jumper. Done.
One accessory each. A shawl. A cravat or a dark scarf. Lace gloves. A veil (a black scarf over a headband). A brooch. Round glasses. A walking stick, which is an umbrella.
By character. The medium: a shawl, scarves, every ring in the house. The doctor: a dark jacket and a bag. The actor: a cravat and an air of entitlement. The housekeeper: black dress, white collar if you can find one, keys on a ribbon. The sheriff: a jacket with a badge drawn on card. The historian: a scarf and a notebook. Characters in Murder at Blackwood Manor each get a costume line on their card.
Christmas lodge
The two items: a sweater, and a Christmas accessory.
From the wardrobe. The Christmas sweater. Failing that, a red or green jumper, or plaid.
One accessory each. A Santa hat. Reindeer antlers. A bow tie with a holly print. A string of tinsel as a scarf. Jingle bells on a ribbon for the person playing Santa.
By character. Santa: the hat, the bells, a belt. The CFO: a jacket over the sweater and a briefcase. The cook: an apron. The pastor: a dark sweater and a plain collar. The daughter home from college: hoodie, earbuds in, unimpressed. The aunt: a brooch and a glass of sherry that never empties. See Silent Night, Deadly Night.
The props bowl
Every host should have one by the door. It costs under $15 if you buy anything at all, and it fixes every guest who turned up in jeans.
- Three hats: a fedora, a flat cap, a Santa hat, depending on theme.
- Two scarves, one feather boa.
- Cheap sunglasses, round glasses with the lenses pushed out.
- A fake moustache, clip-on earrings, a plastic tiara.
- A pocket notebook and pen for whoever wants to play detective.
Guest arrives in jeans, picks a hat, is now in costume. Nobody is the odd one out, and the photos work.
Costume rules that keep the game fun
- No masks after round one. You cannot read a face through a mask, and reading faces is the game. Masquerade themes should go masks-off when round two starts.
- Nothing that stops you holding a phone and a drink. Long gloves are fine; claws are not.
- Name tags over costumes. The character name, large. Costumes make people harder to recognise, which is the point, but the name tag has to be readable across the room.
- The host dresses up most. If you want the room in costume, set the bar.
Awards
A costume award at the end doubles the number of people who dress up next time. “Best costume” and “best effort with the props bowl” are both worth giving. The Party Pack, a $9 add-on to any Sleuth Night mystery, has printable awards themed to each one.
Choosing the theme first? Read murder mystery party themes. Writing the invitation? See murder mystery party invitations for the dress-code line.