Service Industry | YourMysteryParty

Costume Advice

AT YOUR SERVICE COSTUMES

Polished, Poised… Potentially Plotting

Service industry characters are often the overlooked eyes and ears of the household, event, or establishment — but in a murder mystery, they just might be the ones holding the sharpest secrets. Whether you’re a loyal butler, a burnt-out barista, or a server with an attitude, these roles are rich with detail, double meanings, and dirt behind the polish. This guide helps you build a believable (and suspiciously charming) look with what you already own, and gives you tips for perfecting the poise… or the passive-aggression.

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EXAMPLES OF AT YOUR SERVICE COSTUMES

Possible Characters in the ‘At Your Service’ Category:

Maid (Proper housekeeper, cute French maid, or sneaky live-in staff)
Butler (Dutiful, mysterious, or perhaps... the killer?)
Fast Food Worker (Fry cook, cashier, drive-thru drama queen)
Barista or Café Server
Waiter/Waitress (Fine dining or greasy spoon)
Bartender (Craft cocktail snob or laid-back dive-slinger)
Hotel Staff (Bellhop, concierge, or valet)
Carhop or Drive-In Server
Diner Host, Busser, or Food Truck Worker
Chef, Sous Chef, or Line Cook
Spa Attendant, Pool Boy, or Salon Worker

What You Might Already Have in Your Closet:

White button-down shirts or polos
Black pants, slacks, or skirts
Apron, vest, or tie
Comfortable shoes or sneakers
Plain black dress (great base for maid/butler) or suit/tux
Branded fast food shirt, baseball cap, or vintage tee
Black blazer, cummerbund, or clip-on bowtie
Khakis, white tennis shoes, or non-slip shoes

Hair & Makeup Tips:

Butlers & Maids: Neat, tidy buns or parted hair. Add a lace headband or classic updo for flair.
Fast Food / Café Workers: Ponytail, braid, or under a hat. Add a smudge of grease or coffee stain for realism.
Servers & Bartenders: Sleek hair, clean and presentable, or wild & disheveled for “end of shift” energy.
Makeup: Go clean and minimal, or over-the-top based on the character — think a spa attendant with cucumber eyeshadow or a barista with artsy eyeliner.

Accessories & Props:

Serving tray, towel over arm, or order pad
Name tag with an overly chipper or totally fake name
Drink shaker, wine bottle, or coffee cup
Feather duster, mini vacuum, or polish cloth
To-go bag, ketchup packets, or grease-stained paper
Small broom, bellhop luggage cart, or clipboard
Receipt pad, pen behind the ear, or empty wine glass
Fake food like plastic burger or sushi keychain for flair

Behaviors, Voice, and Quirks:

Butlers: Speak formally. “Very good, sir.” Use phrases like “I couldn’t possibly say,” and “I am merely the help.” Never break posture.
Maids: Sweet and attentive or cold and dismissive. Over-apologize or mutter judgments under your breath. Curtsy with menace.
Fast Food Workers: Deadpan sarcasm or painfully perky. Offer fake combos: “Would you like fries with your alibi?”
Servers: Carry invisible plates. Hover awkwardly and eavesdrop. Use phrases like “special of the day” or “Can I clear this… mess?”
Bartenders: Wipe invisible glasses. Slide fake drinks. Say “This one’s on the house” or “People talk after two shots.”
Spa Attendants: Speak in relaxing tones while delivering brutal gossip. Offer people imaginary treatments. “Would you like a mint mask while we discuss motives?”
Add quirks like snapping gum, fake bowing, giving people towels, fake-pouring wine, or polishing everything in sight.

In a world where the guests get the spotlight, the service staff often sees everything — and maybe saw too much. Don’t underestimate these characters… or do; they might surprise you. After all, who else has access to the silverware drawer, the back rooms, and everyone’s dirty laundry?

Notes on service industry costumes:

Many of these might be listed with other pages, but we have put them all here for easy searching. Many of these are self-explanatory, and figuring out what to wear is easy. Unfortunately, there is a limited selection with the trusted costume suppliers we recommend via the links above, so some might only have one or two items, such as customer service agents - we just found a headset that you can couple with a solid suit and maybe make a name badge with your character's name.

You might wonder why serial killers are added to this board—well, they wear coveralls, which you can use for many service industry jobs, such as mechanic, so just set aside the creepy mask and weapon for next year.

The butler costume can stretch to fit not only a butler but a house manager, sommelier, or concierge, and there is a plain black waist apron to fit any server job or choose the car hop costumes or Bob's Burger costume. If your character works for fine dining, wear a solid black suit or dress and carry a leather notepad for orders.

Many service industry jobs wear all-black clothing, black pants/skirts, and a white button-up top.

For a hairstylist role, you can essentially wear anything trendy with a fun wig, wear the Beauty School Dropout costume from Grease, or make it dark with a Sweeney Todd costume.

Construction workers and crossing guards could wear brightly colored shirts (neon safety colors) or a Port Authority safety vest.