Eschew everyday attire for Carnival-appropriate costumes

Let indulgence commence: Jan. 6 marks dawn of Carnival, firing of king cakes
January 7, 2014
Built in 19th century, Ardoyne Plantation home begins accepting visitors, at last
January 7, 2014
Let indulgence commence: Jan. 6 marks dawn of Carnival, firing of king cakes
January 7, 2014
Built in 19th century, Ardoyne Plantation home begins accepting visitors, at last
January 7, 2014

With the arrival of Carnival season, residents and tourists can get in the Mardi Gras spirit by dressing up to watch the parades. Many paradegoers choose simple shirts with conventional designs or colors, but others wear costumes instead. Several options exist for anyone looking to attract the attention of fellow spectators as well as float riders.

Those not wanting to purchase new outfits may decide to go with ensembles they already have. Torey Hebb and Dolores Bergeron, managers at Ultimate Party Store in Houma and The Mardi Gras Spot in New Orleans, respectively, said their Halloween apparel is also worn for Carnival.

“Sometimes they’ll go with a family theme where they’ll all dress as M&M’s or the Flintstones. … Candy’s a big thing,” as are Scooby Doo characters and crayons, Hebb said. However, she added, people often purchase Mardi Gras-specific costumes, such as jesters.


Bergeron said that her store has carried costumes for a few years and that sales have increased a little more each year. Parents tend to buy standard ensembles for children, she said, whereas many adults prefer to “create their own look” using wigs, hats or colored eyelashes.

Pop culture icons, including famous singers, are also in demand at costume shops, according to store managers.

“It’s whatever’s fashionable at the time. We’re carrying Lady Gaga,” said Bergeron. “It’s whatever’s trendy for the year. They tend to gravitate toward costumes that are recognizable and current.”


Amy O’Hara said the same. New Orleans Party and Costume, which she manages, offers manufactured costumes, such as Miley Cyrus, based on what is popular at the time. O’Hara said knights and fantasy-inspired ensembles have become favorites because of the success of the “Game of Thrones” book and television series.

“Usually for Mardi Gras, anything goes. … It’s very open,” she said. “Whole families or groups of friends will dress as ducks or superheroes. Superheroes have been big for the past few years.”

Other, more general choices include pirates and Egyptian garbs, she said.


An alternative to wearing a full costume is to accessorize with bright colors or shiny material. Some craft stores sell plain masks or T-shirts that can be decorated with paint, glitter or beads. Feather boas and Mardi Gras masks are among the items sold at New Orleans’ Uptown Costume and Dancewear, and manager Dru Murphy said buyers tend to prefer flashy outfits.

“A lot of people love sequin bras and tutus, also festive tights – pretty much anything to stand out and draw attention to themselves because everyone wants to get throws,” she said.

Children’s costumes there include animals and fairies. Some adults dress as Elvis or mermaids, said Murphy, while “other people like to do Renaissance outfits to get the old French look.”


More crafty paradegoers can ensure originality by making their own costumes. Jenny Campbell, a costume designer at Southern Costume Co. in New Orleans, wore a headpiece featuring a working snow globe last year. She said that she likes to incorporate purple, green and gold into her parade-watching attire and that she strives for comfort as well as style.

Campbell said her company offers apparel from all genres and time periods, including gladiator armor and children’s princess dresses. Customers can also bring in a basic costume for employees to add to or have an outfit custom made.

Requested costumes “can be anything as simple as a bear to something elaborate as the Queen of the Damned,” Campbell said. “We have not done anything twice.”


She said earrings, bracelets, fishnet stockings, tights and boots can all help make an outfit colorful and unique: “For Mardi Gras, people just want to present a party – fringe, glitter, beads, tutus.”

Shoppers need not leave home to find something to wear for a parade; they can visit online retailers. For example, BuyCostumes.com offers bow ties, vests, glowing hair accessories, crowns and press-on fingernails. Costumes range from those made for Mardi Gras, with the traditional colors and checkered patterns, to parrots and clowns.

The website’s options for adults include the King and Queen of Hearts, a leisure suit and Marie Antoinette. Some designs, such as lobsters and frogs, are also available in children’s sizes, and even pets can join in the festivities with peacock or dinosaur costumes.


Prices at these businesses typically range from $30-$100, with the average outfit costing about $50, though some can be more than $300. Customers with simple or elaborate requests, low or high budgets, all have plenty of choices.

Spectators who are dressed up may stand out among fellow paradegoers and even catch more beads as the floats roll by for Mardi Gras. Whether they decide to reuse an outfit, buy a new one or make their own, costume shops and websites can help. For children and adults, individuals and groups, traditional, current and unique options are available.

– bridget@gumboguide.com


Jenny Campbell shows off Mardi Gras ensembles sold at Southern Costume Co., of New Orleans, where she works as a costume designer.  Paradegoers can find costumes through an assortment of avenues prior to the start of Carnival parades.

COURTESY PHOTO