I bet the moment you saw the invitation to that 1920's Gangster and Flapper murder mystery party, the first thing you thought was – "what costume are you going to wear?
While the 1920s are epitomized by women's elegant and revolutionary style preferences, there is still a lot to be said for the men's 1920's fashion and costumes. The women dress up as flappers the men can transform into formidable gangsters, Gatsby-like philanthropists, smooth jazz or blues musicians, and inconspicuous butlers.
So, what are some male costume ideas for a 1920's murder mystery game?
- Gatsby-like Costume
- High Society Gent
- 1920's College Prep
- Jazz or Blues musicians
- Gangsters Costumes
- Butler
- Speakeasy Bartenders
It is important to remember that you should dress up according to your assigned character for the murder mystery game. These costume ideas could fit a range of characters in the Masters of Mystery's 1920s Murder Mystery Game Kit.
Murder mystery parties are the ultimate escapism, and you can further immerse yourself through costume. Some costumes are available for hire or purchase through Costume shops or amazon, while for others, you may want to put it together for a more authentic look. Either way, our article will guide you through the world 1920 dress-up.
Please note, while the article typically explores male costumes, gender-neutral outfits are also possible for all these costume ideas.
Must Read: 1920 Murder Mystery Game Female Costumes Ideas
1920s Male Costume Ideas
Dress Like The Great Gatsby
"Excuse me, old sport," but you can't go to a 1920s murder mystery part and not take inspiration by author Scott Fitzgerald's The Great Gatsby. Gatsby's character immortalizes the 1920s era: jazz music, flappers, new-found economic prosperity, and emerging ideas and technologies. Gatsby has many classic looks, but his most traditional is the black-tie gentry for conspicuous-look – just like Gatsby.
Great Gatsby costumes are readily available for purchase or hire from costume stores and amazon. But, you can also style your look.
- Black Custom 3-Piece Tuxedo
- White Pleated Front Tuxedo Shirt
- Solid White/Red Pocket Square
- Cufflinks
- Black Bow Tie
- Dress Shoes
Other accessories or props might include:
- Top Hat
- Cane or walking stick
- Bulky ring
Ideal for Murder Mystery Roles: Rich mansion owner, movie star, and society gent.
High Society Gent – Business Power Suits
High Society Gentry costume needs to possess an air of power and money – imagine Tom Buchanan from The Great Gatsby. Yet outside of the novel, out of the so-called roaring 20s emerged real-life business tycoons that amassed enormous wealth and privileged. Many went to the prestigious colleges and universities of Yale, Harvard, Stanford, and Cambridge. The billionaire had luxurious mansions and townhouses, making their wealth through numerous industries – railroad, tobacco, farming, banking, and wall street.
- Solid-Color 3-Piece Suit
- Dress Shirt
- Patterned Tie
- Pocket Square
- Cufflinks
- Dress shoes
Other accessories or props might include:
- Sunglasses
- Gambler hat
Ideal for Murder Mystery Roles: Rich mansion owner, college students, movie star, and society gent.
If you're interested in other class 1920s Male costumes, check out this great article by Vintage Dancer: 10 Easy 1920s Men's Costumes Ideas
1920's College Prep
It's a classic, causal collegiate-inspired look that is perfect for a daytime murder mystery party. The look still says possible Business Tycoons or a youthful student at one of the most prestigious colleges and universities of Yale, Harvard, Stanford, and Cambridge.
- Brown Pants
- Dress Shirt
- Woolen -neck sweater/blazer
- Pastel Linen Plaid Tie/bow tie
- Straw boater hat
- Dress shoes
Other accessories or props might include:
- Sunglasses or eyeglasses
Ideal for Murder Mystery Roles: college students, wealthy youth gents, movie stars, party gate crashers, and society gent.
Gangsters Costumes
We are all fascinated with the 1920s gangster characters whether you are honing The untouchables, Gangster Squad, or the bootleggers in from the Peaky Blinders – you know you will be dressed head to toe in style.
Some of the most well-known gangsters were the fashion leaders of the 1920s. Unlike the blue striped suit or "zoot suit" Hollywood depicted gangster, 1920 gangsters wore more brown or plaid suits.
Gangster costumes are easily found through costume shops and online. But there is no reason why you can get the outfit together yourself. You will need:
- Striped or plaid suit pants and jacket
- White or colored Dress Shirt
- Tie: striped or pastel
- Pocket square to the jacket
- Suspenders
- Newsboy or derby hat
- Dress shoes or two-tone shoes
Other accessories or props might include:
- Smoking pipe
- Toy machine gun
- Cigar
- Corsage
- Moustache
Ideal for Murder Mystery Roles: gangster, bootlegger, crook
Jazz & Blue Musician
The Roaring Twenties was also better known as the Jazz Age. The advent of Prohibition and the creation of speakeasies provided the perfect atmosphere for establishing jazz music and later Blues music as mainstream. Jazz affected much of the youth culture of the 1920s, including dance, ideas, and fashion.
If you have a musical murder mystery character, the costume's primary focus may be a musical instrument. Jazz instruments include piano, some strings, like the double bass, and brass instruments, especially the trumpet, trombone, and saxophone. The brass instruments would probably be more accessible for a prop, but guitar pics or music sheets are also easily accessible props.
Our advice is to take inspiration from some of the most famous jazz musicians of the era, such as Louis Armstrong.
- Striped or plaid suit pants and jacket
- White or colored Dress Shirt
- Tie: striped or pastel
- Pocket square to the jacket
- Suspenders
- Newsboy hat
- Dress shoes or two-tone shoes
- Smoking pipe
Ideal for Murder Mystery Roles: Musician, bandleader, dancer, party crasher, athletes
Butler Costumes
Butlers and Servants are the most discrete of all the guests at a murder mystery party. They know everyone's dirty little secrets and are master manipulators in unveiling those confidences. The so-called "hired help" costumes are also entertaining to dress up.
Butler costumes are easily found through costume shops and online. But there is no reason why you can get the outfit together yourself. You will need:
- Tailcoat Jacket (or any black jacket)
- Shirt Front or a white dress shirt
- Black Pants
- Black Bow Tie
- White gloves
- Pocket watch
Ideal for Murder Mystery Roles: Servants, Housekeepers, Barmaids, Servers, Speakeasy Bartenders
Bartender Costumes
You may feel like you drew the short straw as the bartender's or servant character, but actually, you are in prime position. Who better to spill your murderous secret to than the lowly bartender. The costumes can also be enjoyable.
- Black or brown pants
- White shirt
- Suspenders or vest
- Bow tie
- Apron
- Pocket watch,
- Cocktail shaker
- Toothpicks
- Smoking pipe
Ideal for Murder Mystery Roles: Servants, butler Servers, Speakeasy Bartenders
Host your own 1920's Murder Mystery Game
"Jazz, Gin, Money & Murder" game kit.
Go to 1923, New York, and enter Glittersby Mansion to unravel the mystery and demask the murderer.
Host your own 1920s Murder Mystery Game. Host it once, twice, as many times as you want with our Random Murderer Option. Enjoy hours of fun – at home with the family, at a dinner party, virtually, or as a work function.
Assume the role of one of our 20's gendered or gender-neutral characters and use our costume recommendation!
If you are interested in other mystery games, please see our store for a range of other exciting adventure games.
