Dress to Confess: Murder Mystery Costumes From Your Closet

Got invited to a murder mystery party? Amazing! But wait—you don’t have a 1920s flapper dress, a detective trench coat, or a crown lying around? No stress. Your closet (and maybe your junk drawer) is basically a secret costume shop. With a little creativity, you can pull together a look that’s funny, fabulous, and totally suspect-worthy.

1. Start With the Basics for your Murder Mystery Costume

Most murder mystery characters fall into recognizable “types.” Figure out who you’re playing, then pick a base outfit from your wardrobe:

• Button-down shirt + slacks → detective, lawyer, politician, or the uptight butler. Add suspenders if you’ve got them for extra flair.

• Little black dress or cocktail outfit → femme fatale, glamorous movie star, mysterious widow, or fancy heiress who “knows something.”

• Jeans + band tee → rebellious teen, grungy rockstar, undercover informant, or that one character who’s definitely hiding something.

• Blazer or cardigan → nerdy professor, eccentric scientist, quirky author, or business tycoon. Bonus if you carry papers or books around like they’re “classified evidence.”

• Casual outfit with hoodie → computer hacker, misunderstood neighbor, or “innocent bystander”… (who might not be so innocent).

Tip: Pick colors that “speak” to your character. Black = mysterious. Red = fiery personality. White = pretending to be innocent.

Many murder mystery character costumes can be found right in your closet.

2. Accessory Attack

Accessories can turn a plain outfit into a character. Even just one bold choice makes people say, “Ohhh, I know who you are.”

• Scarf or shawl → fortune teller, dramatic diva, or the artsy relative.

• Hat → baseball cap = laid-back suspect, fedora = hardboiled detective, floppy hat = rich socialite, cowboy hat = suspicious rancher.

• Sunglasses → undercover spy, Hollywood celebrity, or shady entrepreneur who totally has secrets.

• Tie/belt → wear a tie like a headband for “eccentric genius” energy, or belt it high at the waist for a vintage flair.

• Jewelry → layer it up! Big pearls, chunky gold, or plastic bling instantly scream, “I have money, and maybe a motive.”

Tip: If you’re stuck, just grab one accessory that feels ridiculous and lean into it. Big sunglasses at night? Perfect.

A simple straw hat with some silk flowers glued on, or a bandana, can transform an everyday outfit into your murder mystery look.

3. Hair & Makeup = Instant Drama

You don’t need a wig shop—just a mirror, a comb, and maybe some eyeliner. Small tweaks can transform your whole vibe.

• Slick hair back → gangster, stern villain, or shady lawyer.

• Messy, wild hair → mad scientist, eccentric author, or the sleep-deprived artist who “knows too much.”

• Bold lipstick + eyeliner → femme fatale, diva, or drama queen who definitely stole the jewels.

• Smudged dark eyeshadow → brooding villain, tortured poet, or creepy loner in the corner.

• Temporary touches → eyeliner mustache, glitter on the cheeks, or a streak of hair gel for an “edgy” look.

Tip: Don’t worry about perfection—go for theatrical. If it looks dramatic in the mirror, it’s perfect for the party.

Play with colorful eyeshadows to transform your costume into an 80s vibe.

4. Grab Random Props

Props are like cheat codes: they make your character instantly obvious. And the best part? You probably already own half of these.

• Notebook + pen → nosy journalist or detective’s assistant.

• Cooking spoon or whisk → eccentric chef or grumpy neighbor.

• Big book → professor, librarian, or “know-it-all” character.

• Flashlight → detective or paranoid guest. (Extra funny if you use it even when the lights are on.)

• Wine glass (plastic works!) → gossiping socialite or rich widow.

• Toy sword or Nerf gun → security guard, knight, or over-the-top villain.

Tip: Props are also great icebreakers. Wave your “detective flashlight” dramatically when accusing someone—it’ll get a laugh every time.

Raid your kitchen or junk drawers for everyday items that could elevate your costume.

5. Go Big or Go Home

Subtlety is for real life. At a murder mystery party, you want people to remember your character, not your “nice shoes.”

• Wear three necklaces and a scarf.

• Put sunglasses on inside.

• Speak in a mysterious whisper or a ridiculous accent.

• If you think, “This is too much,” it’s probably just right.

Tip: Think cartoonish. If your outfit could be mistaken for a character in a comic book or movie, you’ve nailed it.

Go wild with your costume look - the more fun you can have preparing for the big day, the better time you'll have at the party!

6. Confidence = Killer Look

Here’s the truth: the costume doesn’t matter as much as you owning it.

• Strut like you belong in a noir film.

• Cackle like the villain in a cartoon.

• Gossip like you’re the queen of drama.

• Glare like everyone in the room is guilty but you.

People won’t remember if your tie was crooked—they’ll remember how much you became your character.

Own your murder mystery game character - no matter what your costume is, as your confidence and personality are the most important

Final Thought

Murder mystery parties aren’t about flawless costumes—they’re about fun, laughter, and being dramatic for a night. So don’t sweat shopping. Open your closet, get creative, and show up looking like the prime suspect.

Need more costume advice? My Mystery Party has a great costume site at their pre-game player site: www.yourmysteryparty.com/costumes