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Mardi Gras, known as “Fat Tuesday” to English speakers and “the holiday with the beads in New Orleans” to frequent travelers, is one of the biggest celebrations on the planet. And like all other celebrations, it necessitates a proper outfit in the form of Mardi Gras outfit ideas.
So, whether you’re making your annual pilgrimage to Louisiana to revel in the occasion or you’re hosting a theme party of your own, you’ll gather a few cute outfit ideas from my article. You’ll also enjoy this article if you’re looking for the following:
- mardi gras theme party outfit
- mardi gras party outfit
- cute mardi gras outfit ideas
- casual mardi gras outfit ideas
- men’s mardi gras outfit
What Makes Up a Mardi Gras Outfit?
There are a few traditional pieces that you’ll find amongst most Mardi Gras outfit ideas. These include:
- Masks
- Boas
- Beads
- Feathers
- Capes
These accessories are usually either purple, gold, and/or green.
History of Mardi Gras
Mardi Gras is a holiday that directly precedes Ash Wednesday and Lent, marking it as the last time when people indulge themselves before the fasting season.
In fact, the festival’s name comes from the French tradition of eating dense foods right before Lent’s fasting begins.
The celebration is particularly important in New Orleans and Mobile, Alabama due to the high concentration of French descendants there.
Before the coming of the 18th century, King Louis XIV sent soldiers to claim territory in the French state of Louisiane, an area that spans a wider surface than just modern Louisiana.
As such, the tradition has remained a staple in Southern American culture since then.
What Are Some Popular Mardi Gras Outfit Ideas?
The nice thing about this festival is that you can be as flamboyant as you like. You can go all out with an over-the-top animatronic phoenix costume, or you can wear as little as a feathered boa and shorts.
3 Mardi Gras Outfit Ideas
If you’re looking for cute Mardi Gras outfit ideas then you can’t go wrong with this one. It’s simple enough as you only need a purple skirt and a gold top.
What really makes it fit the theme is the overwhelming amount of feathers, beads, and sparkles. Don’t be afraid to go over the top with this one!
This is one of the men’s Mardi Gras outfit ideas that you can wear anywhere. It relies on a striped shirt that boldly displays the customary celebration colors.
The matching golden shoes are a nice touch that makes it look like you’re here for the party without the intention of losing face.
Here’s one of the more casual Mardi Gras outfit ideas for people who don’t enjoy all the pomp and circumstance of the occasion.
What makes this look festive is the jacket’s pattern and color. So long as the piece has green, gold, or purple, then you’ll fit in, but the white pattern makes it look like you showed up for a good time.
Fashion Tips to Avoid With Mardi Gras Outfits
Here are my suggestions to help you avoid messing up your Mardi Gras outfit ideas:
- Do not dress disrespectfully towards the celebration’s participants. Remember, this is a religious festival
- Not including gold, purple, or green items in your outfit. Ideally, you’d want at least two of these colors.
- Not dressing for a fun time! Nobody likes a spoilsport who’s too cool for a good time.
Best Places to Buy Mardi Gras Outfits
Here are a few of my favorite locations to shop for Mardi Gras outfit ideas:
- Party stores and costume shops
- Fabric and craft stores like Michaels for accessories
- Colorful clothing stores – think thrift shops
Final Thoughts
A festival is only as fun as your attire. By taking inspiration from these Mardi Gras outfit ideas, I’m sure you can unleash your inner party animal whether you’re trekking down south or celebrating the occasion in your backyard.
Looking for more outfit ideas? We’ve got you covered: