Classic Aesthetic

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THE COSTUME: Closet Staples You Might Already Have

• You don't need to raid a costume shop—look to your closet first.

  • Cargo pants, flannel shirts, hiking boots, khaki vests, and denim jackets all lend themselves to the “animal handler” aesthetic.

  • For a zoo or safari vibe, combine khakis or olive greens with a wide-brimmed hat.

  • If your character is more glam—like a dog show judge or exotic pet owner—opt for animal print, statement jewelry, and tailored blazers.

  • A white lab coat can transform you into a veterinarian, especially with a stethoscope or rubber gloves tucked into the pocket.

• If you’re dressing as an animal, you can usually use a monochrome outfit as a base (black for a cat, brown for a bear, etc.) and add ears or a tail made from scraps or found objects.

 

HAIR & MAKEUP:

• Messy buns, braids, or slick ponytails look practical for animal handlers. Toss in a little dirt (or brown eyeshadow) to grime up the look if your character’s been out wrangling wildebeests. For glamorous handlers or showy types, bigger hair and hairspray are your friends.

• If you're dressing as an animal or leaning heavily into the theme, makeup can go a long way—whiskers with eyeliner, a black nose dot, or dramatic eyeshadow for a birdlike look. You can also use contouring to create snouts or more angular, creature-like features.

 

ACCESSORIES: 

Prop-based accessories bring your character to life. Think:

• Toy snakes, leashes, or bird perches.

• Clipboards, feeding schedules, or “Missing Monkey” flyers.

• Faux tranquilizer guns or dart kits (clearly labeled toys!).

• Grooming brushes, chewed-up toys, or ribbons from animal competitions.

• Binoculars, compasses, or animal-tracking guides for wildlife trackers.

• Plush animals poking out of pockets or bags.

• DIY “press passes” for cryptid documentarians or animal journalists.

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CHARACTER & ROLEPLAYING TIPS

Voice & Speech

• Veterinarians might speak clinically with lots of technical animal terms

• Zookeepers could be more casual and hearty—lots of stories start with, “So this one time the lemur got out…”

• An exotic pet owner might speak with exaggerated flair or feigned sophistication, dropping odd facts about the animal they care for. 

• If you're dressed as an animal yourself, you can make expressive sounds—hisses, growls, chirps—or only speak in riddles about “the pack.”

Behavioral Quirks

• Use animalistic movements for inspiration: bird lovers might twitch or tilt their head, snake handlers might move slowly and deliberately, and cat lovers may act aloof or stretch like felines.

• If you're a cryptid hunter, be paranoid—always looking over your shoulder.

• A farmhand may constantly " check the time” to feed the pigs.

• A show dog handler might compulsively brush someone’s jacket lint away.

Lean into the absurd or exaggerated—the more you commit to your character’s animal obsession or lifestyle, the funnier and more memorable your performance will be. Whether you’re the suspect or the sleuth, the key is to find the beast within and bring it to the party.

 Bonus Touches

• Scent-Based Drama:
  Smell like your character - if you're a rugged wildlife tracker, dab on a little earthy essential oil (like cedarwood or patchouli). Pet groomers might wear too much floral perfume. A cryptid hunter could smell like old bug spray and desperation.

• Animal Noises as Ringtone or Text Alert:
  Set your phone to growl, chirp, or moo every time you get a notification. Bonus points if you answer calls like, “This is Dr. Barkley, talk to me.”

• Hidden Treats or Snacks for Animals (or Humans):
  Pull dog biscuits or goldfish crackers from your pocket at key moments. Offer them thoughtfully to others “as reinforcement.” Bonus if they’re homemade and shaped like paws.

• Gimmicky Business Cards:
  Print fake cards that say things like:
  “Dr. Fangsworth (or whatever your character's name is) – Specialist in Reptilian Dental Care”
  “Lori Featherstone, Parrot Psychic & Emotional Support Falcon Coach”
  Hand them out solemnly to suspicious characters or the host.

• Mismatched Bandages or Scratches:
  Use makeup or fake bandages to show evidence of recent “animal incidents.” A scratch on the cheek, a bandaged finger, a bruised ego.

• Over-the-Top Animal Print Props:
  Even if your character wouldn’t wear leopard print, throw in something tacky and themed—like a clipboard wrapped in snakeskin contact paper or a zebra-striped thermos. You’re in a murder mystery, not a documentary.

• Ridiculous Backstory Details You Slip into Conversations:
  Mention that your character once bottle-fed a hyena in a thunderstorm. Or got kicked out of SeaWorld for trying to unionize the dolphins. Make it sound real, never explain it twice.

• Invented Animal Names:
  Refer to your animal companion constantly, but make the animal imaginary or absurd. “Gizzard, my emotional support mongoose, wouldn’t lie about this.” “Puffy the Anxious Owl saw the whole thing.”

• DIY ID Badges or Uniform Patches:
  Print or draw badges for fake institutions like:
  “North American Yeti Sanctuary – Level 2 Access”
  “Big Cat Behavioral Institute – Intern (Unpaid)”
  Laminate it if you really want to be That Person.

These little extras let you lean all the way into the animal madness and turn your character into a walking sitcom episode.