One of the best parts of attending a murder mystery party is the chance to dress up and fully immerse yourself in a world of secrets, suspects, and scandal. But what to wear? Whether you’re heading to a roaring 1920s soirée, a spooky manor house, or a modern-day crime scene, your outfit can help bring your character to life – and make the entire evening more memorable. 

Here’s your guide to costume confidence, broken down by some of the most popular themes: 

1920s Speakeasy 

For Gatsby glamour and Prohibition intrigue, the 1920s is a favourite setting for murder mystery events. 

  • Women can dazzle in flapper dresses with fringe or sequins, feathered headbands, long gloves, and strings of pearls. 
  • Men should look for pinstripe suits, waistcoats, fedoras, and two-tone shoes. 

Detective Noir 

Step into a world of trench coats and twisted motives with a detective or film noir theme. 

  • For men, think dark suits, hats with wide brims, and trench coats – bonus points for carrying a notepad and pen. 
  • For women, a tailored vintage dress or skirt-and-blouse combo works wonders, especially with gloves and a mysterious air. 

Accessories like magnifying glasses or fake moustaches help round out the character. 

Victorian Gothic 

Think corsets, candlelight, and possibly a haunted manor house. A Victorian-era mystery is all about layers and elegance. 

  • Women can opt for long skirts, high collars, lace gloves, shawls, and vintage jewellery. 
  • Men can wear suits with waistcoats, cravats, and top hats. 

Props like walking sticks or lockets add great character detail. 

Hollywood Glam 

If your character is a celebrity, agent, or director caught up in scandal, it’s time to bring the drama. 

  • Men can wear tuxedos or dress in character as a rock star or filmmaker. 
  • Women should think red-carpet chic: glitzy gowns, bold makeup, and a sense of confidence. 

Sunglasses can up the glamour. 

Rock ‘n’ Roll Chaos 

For edgier parties or modern twists, go bold with leather jackets, wild hair, and attitude. 

  • Unisex options include ripped jeans, fishnet tights, studded belts, and big accessories. 
     

Don’t be afraid to have fun – this style thrives on exaggeration. 

Final Tips 

  • Check with the organiser: We post details on each event page on our website so use that as your starting point or get in touch directly with us for more details. 
  • Thrift shops are your friend: Great costumes don’t have to cost a fortune. 
  • Accessories matter: Small props or period-appropriate details can elevate your whole look. 
  • Comfort counts: You’ll be moving, acting, and mingling, so make sure you can breathe, sit, and walk easily! 

At Invitation2Murder, we encourage guests to lean into their roles and have fun with it. Dressing up helps everyone get into character and that’s when the real drama unfolds. 

Upcoming Murder Mystery Events

We are proudly performing our murder mystery events across the UK. We’d love to see you at one, but do book early as our events tend to sell out!