detective - 32 Halloween Costume Ideas
Detective costumes lean on rumpled, practical clothing over anything sharp or put-together, Max Payne's worn coat, Jimmy McNulty's off-duty look, Officer K's utilitarian gear. These characters look like they haven't slept properly in days, and the costume should too.
A slightly disheveled version of a normal outfit works better here than a crisp one. Untuck something, skip the tie, let it look a little worn, that's more accurate than anything pristine.
Many benefit from one, but it's not universal, check the specific character.
Slightly messy reads more accurately for most of these characters than a crisp, put-together look.
A notepad or a badge replica, small, cheap, and instantly recognizable in the genre.