Flappers, Gangsters, Bootleggers, Mayor, Temperance Society, Prohibition Agents
Hosting a 1920s Speakeasy Murder Mystery - Other Helpful Ideas
These costume ideas are swell for our 1920s Speakeasy murder mystery party game. They cover all of the characters in the game and offer ideas for both buying an outfit and for making your own.
CONTENTS
Costume Ideas for Each Character:
1 Flappers - Bunny, Ruby Ellen, Clara, Bertie & Donnie (if female)
2 Playboy/Actor - Bertie & Donnie (if male)
3 Gangsters - Whackem Will, Scars, Sam
4 Bootleggers - Jimmy Joe and Mary May
5 Mayor - Mayor O'Clipper
6 Temperance and Moralism Society - Mercy
Game characters: Bunny, Ruby Ellen, Clara; Bertie and Donnie (if played by females)
If buying: any sort of flapper fancy dress is swell, especially one with the familiar sequins, fringes, and tassels.
If DIY: accessorize an evening dress with your choice of strings of pearls, long dangly earrings, a feather boa, a fan, long black gloves, fishnet tights, a cigarette holder, and a headband or hair comb. A headband could be given a Roaring Twenties twist by covering an existing headband with black lace and attaching a brooch, feather or jewel of your choice. A hidden flask for "moonshine" is optional.
Hair and makeup: a bob wig is optional. 1920s flappers wore bold makeup. Lipstick was applied to give a heart-shaped Cupid's Bow look and dark colors were used. (In the game's Pre-Party Booklets, Bunny (and Bertie if played by a female) are instructed to wear black lipstick whereas Ruby Ellen and Clara are instructed to wear red lipstick. The lipstick color is referenced during the murder mystery.) Eyes were made to look dark and dramatic (think dark eyeshadow, eyeliner and mascara). Cheeks had rouge applied and nail varnish colours echoed the deep reds of the lipstick to add an extra touch of drama.
Donnie: in addition to the above, Donnie's role as a bartender or waitress means that Donnie could have a white cloth over one arm.
Game characters: Bertie and Donnie (if played by males)
Bertie is a minor aristocrat, an occasional actor, and occasional racing driver. If played by a male, he is described as a charming "playboy without the money". Donnie is an aspiring actor but, if played by a male, is a bartender for the moment. Both would dress as a fashionable Roaring Twenties gentleman.
If buying: a 1920s gentleman's outfit. For example, Fun Shack sells a swell costume.
If DIY: three-piece non-black suit or tuxedo with dress shirt and black or white bow tie or necktie; alternatively, wear suit trousers and a matching waistcoat. Derby, Homburg, Fedora, Boater or Panama hat. Optionally, have a pocket watch, walking cane, gloves, and a hidden liquor flask. White spats (shoe covers) are optional.
Donnie: give a nod to the bartender's role with a white cloth over the arm, or attached to the waist.
Bertie: create a dapper look with white spats (shoe covers) and an artfully arranged scarf. Consider a Pompadour or Undercut hairstyle.
Game characters: Whackem Will, Scars, Sam. Scars and Sam can be played by a male or female guest.
If buying: any 1920s gangster fancy dress is ideal.
If DIY: A dark, possibly striped, three-piece suit (if played by a man) or pin-striped dress suit (if played by a woman). Colorful striped shirt with white collar. Contrasting tie. White or black band fedora hat with a contrasting band or a Panama hat slightly tilted; slicked-back hair.
Helpful accessories: TOY (for safety) Tommy Gun or other weapon. Cigar. Buttonhole of red carnations. (The McNails are known to leave red carnations beside victims’ bodies.) Fake moustache. Optional white shoe spats.
Game characters: Jimmy Joe and Mary May
If buying: there are not many 1920s bootlegger outfits available but, in honesty, it is easy to make your own fancy dress.
If DIY: Dungarees (or trousers with braces) plus an open-necked shirt. Broadbrimmed hat. Deep pockets, or bottles strapped to your body or legs, to hide that all-important moonshine. Optional TOY (for safety) weapon. Cigar. Optional scruffy hair.
Game character: Mayor O'Clipper
If buying: a 1920s gentleman's costume. For example, Fun Shack sells a swell costume.
If DIY: this is an easy costume to make yourself. Three-piece suit or full tuxedo. White wingtip collar shirt. Black bowtie or a colorful tie with a matching pocket handkerchief. For the height of fashion, add a matching band around the base of a fedora hat. Cigar.
Game character: Mrs Mercy Sober
General: Think old-fashioned, dowdy and modest with greys or dark colors. Optional tin horn/drum - there are options within the game to sound these to make noisy protests. Optionally, a placard could be made by nailing ply-board or cardboard onto a wooden post; alternatively, simply use a piece of cardboard. Placard words would be anti-alcohol such as "Say No to Drink".
If buying: dark Victorian or Edwardian costume.
If DIY: long black skirt with black long-sleeved top with a high neckline or black long-sleeved blouse buttoned at the top. Starched white apron. White cap, bonnet, or large broad-brimmed hat. Black gloves. Pearls and a brooch are optional.
Game characters: Agent Ted and Agent Toni
If DIY: three-piece suit in stripes. Narrow stripe dress shirt with white or matching collar. Dark tie; pocket handkerchief. Derby, Homburg, or Fedora hat.
