Murder at Sea costume ideas

Creating costumes for 1914

Murder at Sea is set in 1914 aboard the Libertania, a luxurious transatlantic liner carrying wealthy passengers, politicians, celebrities and society figures between Europe and America.

For costume inspiration, think of the great ocean liners of the Edwardian era: immaculate ship’s officers, uniformed stewards, glamorous first-class passengers and formal evening dress. Although the game takes place in 1914, you don’t need a perfectly authentic historical costume. A few recognisable items can create the right look very easily.

The cast is divided between the crew of the Libertania and its first-class passengers, so we’ve provided some general ideas for both before looking at each character individually.

Please note these are suggestions only!

Costume ideas for the crew

The crew cover a wide range of roles, from senior officers and engineers to stewards, entertainers and the ship’s padre.

For ship’s officers, a dark navy or black double-breasted jacket, white shirt, dark trousers or skirt and peaked cap will immediately suggest an ocean-liner officer. Gold braid, badges or stripes on the cuffs can indicate rank.

Stewards and stewardesses can wear smart black trousers or skirts with a white shirt or blouse, perhaps with a waistcoat, bow tie or apron. The important thing is to look neat, efficient and slightly formal.

Engineering crew can be less immaculate. Work trousers, a collarless shirt, waistcoat, braces, flat cap, rolled-up sleeves and perhaps a few carefully applied grease marks create an engine-room look. Props such as a spanner, notebook or goggles can help.

Other members of the crew—including entertainers, the chef and the padre—can dress according to their profession rather than wearing ship’s uniform.

Costume ideas for first-class passengers

The passengers aboard the Libertania are wealthy and important, so this is an excellent excuse for Edwardian elegance.

Men might wear a dark lounge suit, three-piece suit, dinner jacket or tailcoat with a stiff-collared shirt and tie or bow tie. Waistcoats, pocket watches, canes, hats and neatly groomed moustaches all add to the period feel.

Women might choose a long dress or skirt with a high-necked blouse, evening gown, tailored jacket or elaborate hat. Gloves, pearls, brooches, shawls, feathered hats and small handbags are useful accessories.

For an evening aboard a luxury liner, it is entirely appropriate to dress very formally. Think Titanic-era first class rather than everyday 1914 street clothes.

Crew costume ideas

First Officer Daniel Warren

Daniel Warren is a respected American officer who looks destined for command of his own ship. He should appear confident, professional and immaculate.

• Dark navy or black double-breasted officer’s jacket
• White shirt with dark tie
• Dark trousers
• Gold braid or stripes on the cuffs
• Peaked naval-style cap
• Highly polished shoes

Second Officer David Whitworth

Experienced, reliable and formerly of the British Merchant Navy, David Whitworth should look every inch the seasoned professional sailor.

• Dark officer’s jacket
• White shirt and dark tie
• Dark trousers
• Peaked cap
• Rank stripes or gold braid
• Pocket watch

Third Officer Christina Younger

Christina Younger is a pioneering woman who has sacrificed much to rise through the ranks. Her costume should emphasise her position as a professional officer rather than simply a member of the ship’s staff.

• Dark tailored jacket
• Long dark skirt or practical trousers
• High-necked white blouse or shirt
• Officer’s cap
• Gold braid or rank insignia
• Sensible dark shoes or boots

Chief Engineer Brynneth Cawdra

Brynneth Cawdra is the mechanical genius responsible for keeping the great liner running. A slightly practical, work-worn appearance is appropriate.

• Dark trousers
• Collarless shirt or work shirt
• Waistcoat
• Braces
• Rolled-up sleeves
• Boots

Engineer Reiner Tannhauser

Reiner Tannhauser is a talented German engineer with excellent English and ambitions for promotion.

• Work trousers
• Shirt with sleeves rolled up
• Waistcoat or work jacket
• Braces
• Flat cap
• Boots

Entertainments Officer Vic Hammerstein

Vic Hammerstein is responsible for the Libertania’s spectacular entertainment programme and can afford to look considerably more theatrical than the other officers.

• Dinner jacket or smart dark suit, with dark trousers or skirt
• Crisp white shirt
• Bow tie
• Waistcoat (perhaps patterned)
• Pocket square
• Optional flower in the buttonhole

Master Chef Blaise de Richelieu

Temperamental culinary genius Blaise de Richelieu should be instantly recognisable as the i celebrated French chef.

• White chef’s jacket (or white apron)
  Chef’s trousers or dark trousers
  Tall chef’s hat
  Neckerchief

Chief Purser Chris Gamble

The Chief Purser keeps the ship’s passenger service running smoothly and demands impeccable standards from the staff.

• Smart dark suit or uniform jacket
• White shirt or blouse
• Tie or bow tie
• Waistcoat
• Neat dark trousers or long skirt

Cocktail Stewardess Julia Morteblanca

Julia Morteblanca has worked at New York’s Waldorf Astoria and is an accomplished professional cocktail mixer.

• White blouse
• Long black skirt
• Smart waistcoat
• Bow tie or neck ribbon
• Apron

Cabin Stewardesses Catherine New and Cynthia Petal

As stewardesses working aboard the Libertania, they should have matching outfits.

• White blouse
• Long dark skirt
• Simple waistcoat or dark jacket
• White apron
• Sensible shoes

Trainee Steward Eric Lassiter

Eric’s outfit should match the stewardesses.

• White shirt
• Black trousers
• Black waistcoat
• Bow tie
• White or black apron

Cabaret Singer Jennifer Floreste

Jennifer Floreste is a celebrated singer and former London Palladium star, now on her final voyage.

• Glamorous Edwardian evening gown
• Long gloves
• Feathered or jewelled hairpiece
• Pearls or costume jewellery
• Shawl or feather boa

Ship’s Padre Patrick Malloy

Father Patrick Malloy ministers to passengers of every denomination aboard the Libertania.

• Black clerical shirt or dark suit
• White clerical collar
• Black trousers
• Long black coat

Passenger costume ideas

Sir Rory Canter

Rumoured to be the richest man in Britain, Sir Rory should look wealthy, established and extremely respectable.

• Formal three-piece suit
• Waistcoat
• Stiff-collared white shirt
• Tie or cravat
• Pocket watch and chain
• Top hat or homburg

Lady Isabelle Canter

Young, beautiful and formerly an actress and ballet dancer, Lady Isabelle can combine aristocratic elegance with a hint of theatrical glamour.

• Elegant Edwardian evening gown
• Long gloves
• Pearls or sparkling jewellery
• Feathered hairpiece or tiara
• Shawl or stole

Jeremiah Finkelstein

Jeremiah is an immensely successful American industrialist whose interests include the exciting new world of aviation.

• • Expensive three-piece suit
• Waistcoat
• Stiff-collared shirt
• Tie
• Pocket watch
• Bowler or homburg

Rachel Finkelstein

Rachel is not merely an industrialist’s wife but a formidable business partner renowned for her financial ability.

• Smart tailored Edwardian dress or long skirt and jacket
• High-necked blouse
• Elegant hat
• Gloves
• Spectacles or pince-nez
• Watch or brooch

PJ Nichols

PJ is a young music-hall performer who has recently been trying to break into the emerging Hollywood film business.

• Fashionable suit or glamorous stagewear
• Waistcoat
• Bow tie or colourful neckwear
• Stylish hat

Clark Ridgeway

As PJ’s successful manager, Clark should look like someone accustomed to negotiating contracts, arranging tours and dealing with theatrical impresarios.

• Smart three-piece suit
• Waistcoat
• Tie
• Bowler or homburg
• Pocket watch

Gilbert Ryce

Gilbert Ryce is the ageing American Secretary of State and friend of the President. His clothes should project dignity and authority.

• Conservative dark three-piece suit
• White shirt
• Formal tie
• Pocket watch
• Spectacles
• Homburg or top hat
• American flag lapel pin, if available

Wilma Drew

Wilma is Ryce’s composed and highly capable State Department assistant.

• Tailored jacket
• Long skirt
• High-necked blouse
• Small hat
• Gloves
• Spectacles, if desired

Sir Ranulph Royston

The British Minister of War is a senior establishment figure and should look suitably imposing.

• Dark formal suit or morning coat
• Waistcoat
• Stiff white collar
• Conservative tie
• Pocket watch
• Walking cane
• Top hat or homburg

Elizabeth James

At only nineteen, Elizabeth is one of the youngest first-class passengers aboard and is already embroiled in a scandalous divorce.

• Fashionable Edwardian dress
• Long skirt with fitted blouse
• Decorative hat
• Gloves
• Small handbag
• Brooch or pendant
• Shawl

Maximilian von Grafenberg

The German Procurement Minister is a senior government official returning home after a year in America.

• Formal dark suit
• Waistcoat
• Stiff-collared shirt
• Conservative tie
• Pocket watch
• Homburg
• Optional spectacles or monocle

Armin Oberhausen

Ambitious Armin is Maximilian’s assistant—and perhaps hopes one day to replace him.

• Smart dark suit or dark tailored jacket and long dark skirt
• Shirt and tie or high-necked white blouse
• Sensible dark shoes

Sasha Alexandrovich Ilyatkin

Sasha is a Russian government minister returning from trade negotiations in New York.

• Formal dark suit or dark jacket and long skirt
• Shirt and tie or high-necked white blouse
• Heavy overcoat

Eldon Dumlop II

Eldon is the wealthy heir to an American rubber fortune and has no need to dress modestly.

• Immaculate dinner suit or expensive three-piece suit
• Waistcoat
• Bow tie
• Pocket watch
• Cane
• Homburg or top hat

Candice Dumlop

Young, wealthy, glamorous and flirtatious, Candice is an excellent character for an extravagant first-class costume.

• Striking Edwardian evening gown
• Long gloves
• Pearls or glittering costume jewellery
• Feathered headband or elaborate hair decoration
• Shawl or stole

Marie Hati

Marie is a French journalist and outspoken campaigner for women’s rights and social reform.

• Tailored long skirt
• High-necked blouse
• Jacket
• Fashionable but practical hat
• Spectacles

Albert Wiggins

Albert is the young assistant to Britain’s Minister of War and is frequently seen making notes.

• Smart but relatively modest suit
• Waistcoat
• White shirt
• Tie
• Pocket watch
• Bowler hat

Aggie Marbles

Aggie is travelling with the Finkelsteins but has already earned herself a reputation as an amateur sleuth.

• Practical but fashionable Edwardian dress
• Long skirt and blouse
• Tailored jacket
• Sensible hat
• Handbag
• Optional spectacles

Lou Noble

Lou writes a sharp-tongued society gossip column and therefore needs to be able to observe—and record—everything happening among the first-class passengers.

• Smart suit, skirt-and-blouse combination or tailored jacket
• Fashionable hat
• Spectacles
• Notebook

Don’t worry about perfect historical accuracy

You don’t need to hire an expensive costume to enjoy Murder at Sea. A modern dark suit can become convincing 1914 evening wear with a waistcoat and pocket watch, while a long skirt, blouse, hat and gloves can quickly create an Edwardian look.

For the crew, a dark jacket, white shirt, and homemade rank stripes can create an officer’s uniform, while stewards need little more than black-and-white clothing and an apron.

The aim isn’t perfect historical recreation. It’s to make the Libertania’s crew and first-class passengers look as though they’ve stepped aboard one of the great luxury liners of 1914—and to have fun doing it.