The Dressing-up Box: #1 The Roaring '20s

A dressing-up box

When finding your costume for a murder-mystery party, there a few issues with buying your outfit entirely from a fancy dress shop. Such 'fancy dress' is usually made of highly synthetic fabric and looks like it was designed to feature in a bad porno. Not really a good look, unless, of course, you want to get cast in a bad porno (not what this blog is about, in case you were wondering).

I recommend instead a dressing-up box, so you can gradually collect bits and pieces and then fit them together for each murder-mystery party. I say this so casually; of course, I don't have a box myself so much as a collection cotton bags under the bed. But when I grow up I hope to have a massive oak trunk to keep my costumes in... and a big house by the sea, french doors leading onto a rambling garden, shabby velvet armchairs etc. (None of the latter are looking terribly likely but I live in hope that the box, at least, will be mine.)

This week I seem to want 1920s-style things, and I've found them all over the place (the 1920s, apparently, are having a second wind) but mostly on my nemesis Asos (vortex of wasted time and money) and Etsy (much better as it supports small, independent sellers).

If you decide to do a '20s murder mystery, think decadence and glamour. Also think drinking too much and at least one guest accidentally incinerating your curtains with a cigarette in a long holder. Good times will be had by all.

Below are the main characteristics of 1920s fashion.

1920s fashion

* Drop-waisted dresses, just-below-the-knee in length. (If that looks as bad on you as it does on me, you can skirt around this issue - excuse the pun - by getting something with '20s fringing, sequins or feathers but of a shorter length.)

* Close-fitting hats or sequined caps or turbans. (Headbands, although popularly associated with the 1920s, in fact had their heyday in the early 1900s, and are more associated with art nouveau than deco.)

* Shoes with a smallish heel and gently rounded point, and often T-bar or with an ankle strap.

* Pearls, art deco jewellery.

* Lots of exotic beading, feathers and fur

* Clothes and jewellery inspired by ancient Egypt. (Tutankhamen's tomb was discovered in 1922 and piqued public interest.)

  

Some great 1920s-style bits and pieces around at the moment (January 2012): Sass and Bide ‘Winding Road’ feather and Battenburg dress, SOS; Detail of beautiful beading, vintage 1920s bag, Etsy; 1920s replica ‘Ritz’ shoe; Revival Retro; Faux fox fur stole, Wrap Me In Couture, Etsy; Black metallic turban, ASOS

 

1920s-themed murder-mystery games

A First Class Murder, Paul Lamond Games

Murder at the Four Deuces, Dinner and a Murder

The Chicago Caper, How to Host a Murder

My Deadly Valentine, Whodunnit Dinners

Pyramids of Giza, Paul Lamond Games

I hope you enjoy being a flapper for the night, if you need a few tips on hosting a 1920s dinner party, click here. And if you want to check out my fun downloadable murder mystery dinner party games, click here.

Jessica xxx

Game Review: Le Mystere des Masques

For Halloween this year, some friends of mine, PHD students living in London, decided to host a murder mystery party. The game they chose, by Ace Murder Mystery Games, was Le Mystere des Masques for 8-10 people.

The game is a traditional box-set one and comes with a CD to play, invitations, character booklets and clues. Interestingly, on Ace's website you can buy it in two box sizes at two prices. Needless to say, my cash-poor PHD student friends went for the cheaper option.

We had planned an early night to give us all day to decorate their flat for the party. However, the best laid plans... I woke up on a lumpy sofa, with a head that felt at least twice its normal size and as though it were pulsating. I looked at the clock, which was balanced next to a plate on which languished a half-eaten piece of what might once have been toast and jam, but I couldn't be sure. It was 2pm. The party was supposed to start at 7pm. Oops.

Having somehow managed to clean the flat with a hangover, we dragged ourselves to the local supermarket and returned with baguettes, a selection of French cheeses, grapes (they look almost comically atmospheric on a candlelit table), salad and a couple of onion tarts. And for pudding? Ferraro Roche. Tada! No time or cooking required.

Even I had to admit that 'jailhouse Baroque' was not the easiest theme to convey. However, we managed to set the scene with candlesticks in empty wine bottles (generally speaking the more candles the better as they soften the lighting and make it harder for people to spot the anachronisms in your decor - piles of DVDs never look good), printed copies of paintings from the correct(ish) time period, and A4 sheets of baroque pattern, which we Blue-tacked to the wall as a kind of makeshift wallpaper.

Being that I was Marie Antoinette for this game, I had the option of either buying a wig or trying to make my own hair fit the part. I went for the latter option, mostly because I forgot to buy a wig. In these instances YouTube is an invaluable source of information as it has lots of great video tutorials. This video worked well for me. Then again, my hair is enormous at the best of times. If you have fine hair, it might be better to splash out on a wig or perhaps have a go at making your own. I would also recommend watching Marie Antoinette before playing this game, as the costumes and set are heart-stoppingly beautiful and will give you loads of great ideas. Note: the film also has the unfortunate side effect of making you feel like being hedonistic (so much cake, so much champagne!).

Usually favouring A La Carte, I have to say that I was pleasantly surprised by the quality of this Ace game. The game was easy to follow and, as a consequence, at no point did the party descend into drunken chaos. The 'French' detective on the CD was genuinely funny, as was the script in the booklets, and the plot was just complicated enough to not be boring, but simple enough to keep up with after a few drinks. My only criticism would be that questions are doubled up: the extra characters are given the same questions as some of the main characters, so though it might look like you have three questions to ask on your list, if you're not quick off the mark then you can end up rather sidelined!

I would definitely use this make of murder mystery box-set again... in fact, I've got my eye on the cowboy-themed game for the new year...

Below are a couple of portraits from the party.

Jessica xxx