Costume Ideas: 1960s Murder Mystery Party

1 Costume Ideas for Each Character

1.1 Hippie Costumes

Game characters = Brother or Sister Starlight, Brother or Sister Moonlight and Chastity.

Note: Chastity is officially a journalist but she has temporarily joined the commune while researching an article and she dresses as a hippie.

Hippie costumes often feature flowers, paisley prints, geometric patterns, peace signs or even tie-dyes. Fringed outfits are hip. Most guests also make the peace sign when posing for photos.

Hair is often worn long with flowers, beads or long scarves tied across the forehead. Jewellery is long and dangly and often features beads, peace signs or feathers. Footwear includes moccasins, flip flops, tasseled boot covers or even bare feet. Makeup could include a peace sign drawn on the cheeks with eyeshadow.

If buying:

Any form of hippie fancy dress is groovy, baby.

If DIY:

If a man: loose, colourful patterned trousers and a colourful loose top, possibly tie dye or Eastern-inspired. 

If a woman: minidress or miniskirt with crochet cardigan – OR long flowing skirt with tie dye, paisley, floral or psychedelic patterns. Long, flowing cape, long fringed scarf or fringed shawl or cardigan. (Some customers have recreated a fringed shawl by using a fringed lace tablecloth.)

1.2 Rock Star Costumes

Game characters = Drake Wilde, Skye MacLeod; Drake is the lead singer and Skye is the backing singer and guitarist in the band: Drake and the Dynamico Dynamods.

Skye can be played by a man or a woman. In some all-female groups, a woman has played Drake and dressed as a man.

Fancy dress could include bell-bottomed pants, big-collared shirt, long hair and colourful, way-out or paisley prints, or psychedelic. Or a velvet jacket and colourful frilly shirt.  Or an Indian print with a Kaftan jacket. Round shades, a retro wig, chunky necklace and a guitar are all optional.

If Buying:

60s rock star outfits are (surprisingly) hard to source although Morph Costumes do offer a groovy costume. Some customers opt for elements of a hippie look.

If DIY:

Mix jeans and a striped or patterned shirt and then add some 60s touches. Try a long scarf around the head or the waist, long beaded jewellery, peace signs or hip sunglasses. If you don't have a guitar, try making an imitation microphone by covering an ice cream cornet in tissue paper.

1.3 Minidress Designer Outfits

Game character = Mrs Annie Phoenix

Minidress or miniskirt in bold colours – think stripes, polka dots, swirls, stripes, diamond patterns. Coloured, maybe patterned, tights. Sixties wig is optional. Large, bold jewelry. 

If buying:

Any minidress or miniskirt. A 60s outfit will offer the patterns and bold colors that the decade was famous for.

If DIY:

Mix a short denim skirt with a floral or geometric top and a bold headband. Optionally add flowers to your skirt or headband.

If you have a long dress or skirt with flowing material, you can easily turn this into a minidress or miniskirt using one of several "hacks":

• fold the hemline into the top of your underwear and then allow the remaining material to hang down
• fold the material at the waist over a belt
• use hemming tape to raise the hemline - but note that residue may remain once the tape is removed.

1.4 Rock Festival Organiser Outfits

Game character = Merlyn Mercier

Merlyn Mercier, otherwise known Baron or Baroness de Montversigny, is organising TurretsFest now poor Pearl is so sadly dead. Merlyn claims to be from an aristocratic French family.

In the 6-8 player version, Pat Psychello takes on the role of TurretsFest organiser.

Flamboyant costume. Mix expensive fabrics such as velvet, chiffon and silk; maybe add a lace cravat or embroidery; flamboyant colours or prints; maybe a touch of black to commemorate your chère amie, Pearl. Cigarette holder is optional. As Merlyn is from France, a French beret could be a nice touch.

If a Man – try the Peacock look favoured by Lord Lichfield and the 1960s dandies. Wig with a below-the-collar hair is a great addition. Boots with a heel. 

If a Woman – try a pantsuit with flat-heeled shoes. Or opt for the fashionable minidress or miniskirt with go-go boots and coloured tights. A bouffant wig. Large, bold jewellery. 

If buying:

Orion Costumes offer a 60s Groovy Man Velvet Suit.

If DIY:

If a Man - try mixing a white cravat and cuff set with a colored suit and white shirt. These sets can be bought from online suppliers such as Smiffys.

If a Woman - add a velvet shawl or jacket to a 60s outfit.

1.5 Gangster Costumes

Game characters = Pat Psychello and Pat Junior

Pat and Pat Junior are officially Pete L.J. Phoenix's housekeeper/butler and chef/maid. Pat wants to become a psychedelic artist; Pat Junior is an aspiring actor/actress. In the 6-8 player version, Pat is also the TurretsFest organiser. Both have a secret gangster past in the East End of London.

Some players choose to focus on the housekeeper/butler and chef/maid aspects of the characters; some choose to focus on Pat's aims to be a psychedelic artist; some focus on the East End gangster role. Some players mix and match different outfits.

If Buying: 

1960s gangster costumes are not easy to source although the "I Love Fancy Dress Store" on Amazon does offer East End 1950s/1960s gangster twins outfits.

Any form of chef, butler or maid outfit is great. Any form of tie-dye outfit can suggest Pat's role as an aspiring psychedelic artist.

Whichever option you choose, perhaps then add a TOY weapon.

If DIY:

If a Man - create a gangster look with a double-breasted suit, narrow tie, braces, wayfarer glasses, slicked-back hair.  Create a butler look with a dark suit and tie and a white cloth over your arm. Create a chef look with a white chef's hat and a white apron. Create a psychedelic artist look by tie-dyeing a plain t-shirt and/or headband.

If a Woman – create a gangster look with a black-striped short skirt or trousers, white-striped blouse, braces, narrow tie, Wayfarer glasses, slicked-back hair. Create a housekeeper or maid look by adding an apron and white cloth over an arm or carrying a feather duster. Create a psychedelic artist look by tie-dyeing a plain t-shirt and/or headband.

TOY Weapon

A TOY (for safety) weapon of choice. Some guests use a TOY gun or water pistol; some use a TOY knife or meat cleaver; some even just use a cricket bat. Whichever TOY weapon you use, please remember: this is just a game and safety is most important.

1.6 Dress as a Spiv

Game character = Raymond Rottingham

Raymond describes himself as an "Import Export Merchant" but is actually a spiv.

Raymond's costume is easy to put together from your own wardrobe. Suit, possibly pinstriped, with a waistcoat.  Have items you can sell hanging from an inside jacket pocket. (Items might include watches, scarves, necklaces.) Or have lots of watches or bracelets on your arm to sell.

Items you may wish to buy: Trilby hat.

1.7 Morality Campaigner Outfits

Game characters = Payton Morals and Major Morals

Payton has founded the Nation’s Avowed Guardian of Morality and Decorum Society (NAG-MADS). In the smaller versions of the mystery game, Payton is a unisex character. In the 12-14 player version, Payton becomes Mrs Payton Morals and her husband is Major Morals.

Think dated and 1950s. Walking stick to bang on the floor to emphasize your frequent outrage. Optionally add a placard with slogans such as "Stop Smutty Songs" or "Say No to Miniskirts".

If a man - a dark suit, preferably a dated fuller cut, dark tie, ironed white shirt. Fedora hat, polished Oxford shoes and a starched white handkerchief in your jacket breast pocket. Heavy glasses or a quizzing glass; short neat grey wig and moustache are optional.  

If a woman - a below-the-knee swing dress or skirt with a petticoat; or a sheath dress or pencil skirt. A wide contrasting collar is possible. Possible accessories: long or short gloves, pearls, bows, a 1950s bouffant or beehive wig, glasses, an envelope purse, and a fan.

If Buying:

A 50s outfit with muted colors.

If DIY:

Many players choose to source the different components from their own wardrobes. The overall look should be respectable.

1.8 Be a Socialite and Scientist

Game character = Polly Rottingham

Polly is a scientist at Daddy's "Dodgy Pharmaceuticals" company - when she's not being seen at all of the best parties.

Fab fashions dripping with jewellery. Think babydoll dress, shift dress or minidress with bold colourful prints, or jax pants. Oversized collar and bows. Blonde beehive, bouffant or mod wig.

If buying:

Opt for one of the more striking 60s outfits, possibly avoiding the flowers and peace signs often associated with hippies.

If DIY:

Accessorise your favourite outfit with coordinating headband or hat, gloves and fancy handbag.

2 Costume Alternatives: Tips for Adapting Wardrobe Basics

This murder mystery is one where it is easy to add a 60s twist with little to no expense.

Transform jeans and a t-shirt or shirt into an outfit fit for a hippy or rock star by wearing a long scarf around your forehead (or waist); alternatively, wear long strands of beads and different long necklaces.

A hippie accessory set consisting of 60s sunglasses, a headband of flowers, and peace sign can be bought from different online suppliers. You could even make your own peace necklace by printing a peace sign (available in different online libraries such as Pixabay) and then cutting around the outline; or draw a peace sign onto white card and then color. Add a chain and you have a necklace.

Temporary 60s tattoos can be bought from different online suppliers.

3 Hair, Jewellery and Makeup

 

3.1 1960s Hair Styles for Women

• bouffant - a large voluminous hairdo often achieved by drying with large rollers, backcombing, and using hairspray
• long hair with long bangs
• flipped bob
• curled bob
• bouffant bob
• beehive
• pixie cuts

Headbands or long headscarves worn around the forehead also create a typical 60s image. Or add a headband of flowers or a flower hair clip.

3.2 Makeup

Consider painting your nails in the pastel shades popular int the 60s.

Or use makeup to add to the "peace and love" feel of your costume. In the photos above, one guest placed tiny stars across her forehead; the other created a peace sign on her cheek with eyeshadow.

You might also consider a temporary 60s tattoo such as "Flower Power", "Peace", a dove, or a flower.  Flowers particularly associated with the 196s include daisies and sunflowers.