Classic Aesthetic

Think socially awkward brilliance — overly formal or outdated fashion choices, mismatched layers, and total disregard for what's "cool."

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THE COSTUME: Closet Staples You Might Already Have

• Button-down shirt (especially plaid, pastel, or white)

• Sweater vest or cardigan — add elbow patches for flair (cut ovals from old fabric and stitch/glue them on)

• High-waisted pants or too-short trousers — bonus if they're flood pants that show your socks

• Suspenders — or make faux ones with ribbon, duct tape, or even shoelaces

• Knee-length skirt with tights for a nerdy girl vibe

• Socks pulled way up — wear them over leggings for extra quirk

• Bow tie or necktie — tie it sloppily for awkward charm

• Blazer or lab coat if your nerd is more science-y

• Backpack with books

DIY Touches

• Add tape to your glasses (real or fake) — white electrical tape, masking tape, or even paper

• Pocket protector — create one with a small envelope or cut one from plastic and tape it into your shirt pocket

• Name tag with scientific or obscure credentials like “Hello, I’m Dr. Brian, PhD in Quantum Dice Theory”

 

HAIR & MAKEUP: From Adorably Awkward to Full-On Geek Chic

• Greasy or slicked down with gel or water for a dorky vibe

• Pigtails or braids with scrunchies for a sweet school nerd

• Unbrushed or frizzy — just backcomb lightly and hairspray

• Parted way too far to one side or even in the middle for symmetry-obsessed characters

• For extra nerdiness: add pencils, rulers, or a calculator into a bun or ponytail

Makeup Ideas (Optional)

• Exaggerated undereye circles — lightly shade with gray or brown eye shadow

• Rosy cheeks — nerds tend to blush from awkward social encounters!

• Pimples/freckles — draw them with eyeliner or lip liner for realism

 

ACCESSORIES: Go Overboard (That’s the Point)

• Fake or real glasses (taped optional)

• Calculators, rulers, or mini notebooks sticking out of pockets

• Binder or clipboard labeled “Case Notes” or “Alibi Logs”

• Dungeons & Dragons dice, flash cards, or Rubik's cube

• A backpack overloaded with books

• Oversized headphones around the neck (retro Walkman? even better)

• Lanyard with fake ID — make it from cardboard and string

• Wristwatch calculator or Apple Watch with a spreadsheet on display

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CHARACTER & ROLEPLAYING TIPS

Voice & Speech

• Talk fast and precisely, especially when sharing obscure facts

• Overuse phrases like:

  • “Actually…”

  • “Statistically speaking…”

  • “According to my research…”

• Use big words out of context (“That’s a spurious correlation at best!”)

Behavioral Quirks

• Avoid eye contact or stare too long

• Laugh at your own jokes — no one else will

• Misunderstand sarcasm — take things very literally

• Be overly concerned with logic, rules, and evidence

• Constantly jot notes or analyze suspects with a “deductive chart.”

• Get excited over “trivial” clues others overlook

 Bonus Touches

• Pre-write a few lines to deliver with dramatic nerdiness (e.g., “Statistical probability suggests a 78% chance it was the butler.”)

• Create a “Suspect Flowchart” to carry around and update with sticky notes

• Speak in acronyms — even for made-up terms: “This is a T.I.P. — Tactical Investigation Procedure!”