Top 10 Murder Mystery Costume Ideas

Top 10 Murder Mystery Costume Ideas: Murder mystery parties are one of the best ways to spend any evening in with friends. No matter what type you go to, you’ll need something to wear. Costume requirements aren’t very strict. If you need a 1920s look – you could be a gangster, a dancer or even a newsboy. There are a ton of options to make it your own. Here are some are great costume ideas for your next murder mystery party.

1. 1920s Speakeasy

There are a lot of murder mystery parties set in the 1920s, so there’s no shortage of options in what to wear. For ladies, a flapper dress with sequins and fringe, a feathered headband – can create 1920s vibes instantly. Men can get away with a sharp suit with a vest, a pocket watch, and a fedora hat. Bobbed hair for women and slicked-back hair for men and the look is complete.

Top 10 Best 1920s Costume Ideas

murder mystery 1920s costume

2. Nerdy / Geeky

This is a pretty stereotypical nerdy look, but it’s still fun. Throw on some high-waisted trousers, suspenders, and a bow tie for a nerdy look. You can find thick-rimmed glasses in corner stores that will heighten the look. You could even add some tape onto the nose brim for extra effect. For women, you could also try a plaid skirt, a cardigan and a pair of Mary Janes.

Nerdy Look

murder mystery nerd costume

3. Archaeologist / Adventurer

For a more adventurous look – the Indiana Jones or Lara Croft could work. This is made up of cargo pants, a utility belt, and a loose-fitting shirt. You can also add a wide-brimmed hat, if the weather is cooler. I also like adding accessories like a whip, a map, or a compass .

Outdoor Look

murder mystery safari adventurer

4. Doctor / Scientist

A white lab coat is can easily turn you into a doctor or a scientist instantly. You can find cheap plastic stethoscopes to add around your neck, a name tag, or just carry a clipboard for added effect. You can also go the other route and suit up with scrubs, gloves and a mask. And for anyone who knows some hardworking people in the medical field – you’ll know to add a pair of Crocs into the mix.

Medical Look

murder mystery doctor

5. Gangster / Mafia

You can use a pinstripe suit and a fedora to create a classic gangster look. This look works well for men and women. I’d recommend throwing on a nice tie, add a pocket watch and a waistcoat, and you’ll be good to go.

Gangster Look

murder mystery gangster mafia

6. Artist/Painter

A fun and easy look to pull off is the artist. You’ll just need to grab a loose-fitting shirt, a beret, and a paint-splattered apron. If you really want to sell the look, you can carry a palette and a brush. Women can add a flowing skirt or a nice scarf tied around the neck.. There are lots of beautiful aprons designed just for artists.

Artist Look

murder mystery artist painter

7. Sheriff


The sheriff or police look never goes out of style. You can wear the uniform as is, but I like to add a badge, a wide-brimmed cowboy hat, and a pair of handcuffs. There are lots of these types of uniforms available online, so you’ll just need to find the right size.

Sheriff Look

murder mystery sheriff

8. Pilot / Astronaut

If you want something a bit different, you could go as a pilot/astronaut. For pilots – you can quickly create the look with aviator sunglasses and a bomber jacket. If you want a more vintage pilot look, you could wear a full jumpsuit with military patches. Astronaut costumes are very unique and always a fun look.

Pilot Look

murder mystery pilot astronaut

9. Detective

I like pulling off my detective look with simply a trench coat and fedora combo. You could instead go with a leather jacket and a pair of dark jeans for a more modern look. You’ll also need a magnifying glass, pen and notebook. Women could also try tailored pants and a blouse, together with a waistcoat.

Detective Look

murder mystery detective

10. Hippie

Want to try out a hippie look? You can make it with a tie-dye shirt, and some bell-bottom jeans. I like to add a headband and round sunglasses to it as well. If you want to go a step further, you can add a wig or tambourine. If you have some peace sign jewelry lying around, you should throw that on as well.

Hippie Look

murder mystery hippie

Top 10 Murder Mystery Costume Ideas

All of these costumes will work great at your next murder mystery party. You can always tailor the costumes to better fit with your own style. You can also mix and match ideas to pull of your own unique cosplay designs.