This guide to what to wear to Mardi Gras includes outfit and accessory ideas for Mardi Gras in New Orleans or a Mardi Gras Party.
Dressing up for Mardi Gras is so fun! It’s the perfect excuse to wear outrageous outfits, layer on beads, and dress to a theme. During my recent New Orleans girl’s trip, we went all out wearing Mardi Gras gear during the day and night.
Below, I’ll share outfit inspiration, style tips, and Mardi Gras outfit ideas for the daytime, nightlife, and even a Mardi Gras party at home.
Contents hide
What to Wear to Mardi Gras
Mardi Gras Outfit Inspiration
Mardi Gras Outfit Ideas for During the Day
What to Wear to Mardi Gras at Night
The Best Mardi Gras Accessories
What to Wear to a Mardi Gras Party
More Mardi Gras Outfit Ideas
FAQ – How to Dress for Mardi Gras
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What to Wear to Mardi Gras
The main thing you need to know when deciding what to wear to Mardi Gras is that the colors are purple, green, and gold. To put together the best outfit for Mardi Gras, simply combine clothing items and accessories in these colors.
Below, find outfit ideas for Mardi Gras and the best items to buy for the day and night. Once you have a variety of clothing and accessory items in purple, green, and gold, putting together an outfit will be easy.
Mardi Gras Outfit Inspiration
Before we get into the shoppable portion of this guide, here are some outfit ideas for what to wear to Mardi Gras.
As you can see from these group photos, its basically an explosion of the theme colors. Mardi Gras outfits can be wacky and outrageous, so don’t be afraid of leather, glitter, sparkles, and feathers.
The general idea for planning an outfit for Mardi Gras is choosing a colorful clothing item such as bodysuit, dress, or pants then pairing it with other neutral items and a ton of colorful accessories.
For example:
- Green dress (colorful clothing) + Jean jacket (neutral clothing) + Purple Shoes and Boa (colorful accessories)
- Purple bodysuit + Black Jeans + Purple Wig and Yellow Glasses
- Gold Joggers + Black Bodysuit + A ton of colorful beads
Mardi Gras Outfit Ideas for During the Day
During the day for Mardi Gras, you will likely spend time exploring the city and seeing the parades. For these activities, I recommend wearing comfortable clothes in the theme colors. The above graphic shows some great ideas for what to wear to Mardi Gras during the day.
The items are comfortable, casual, and can be dressed up or down depending on how festive you want to be. These items are also great for a family or daytime Mardi Gras party if you aren’t visiting the festival.
Some simple outfit ideas for the daytime are green cargo pants with a purple crop top or a matching yellow linen set. If you want to be a bit more festive, you can easily dress up or down a gold body suit or joggers.
Shop these daytime Mardi Gras outfits
What to Wear to Mardi Gras at Night
At night in New Orleans during Mardi Gras, you will likely spend your time at parades or visiting bars on Bourbon street. For these activities, I recommend wearing the theme colors in more unique or sexy items.
Night is also a great time to go even more over the top with your outfits. I love the matching sets, bodycon dresses, and the mint green leather pants in the above graphic.
These outfit ideas are also great for a nighttime Mardi Gras themed party or event. For a more casual look, match a colored body suit with fun pants.
To be more themed, I absolutely love the gold tinsel jacket or purple sequined duster jacket above.
Shop these Mardi Gras outfit ideas for nightlife
The Best Mardi Gras Accessories
The best way to enhance your Madi Gras outfit is with a ton of accessories. In the above graphic, I share my favorite, affordable accessories. Some great items are wigs, boas, colorful makeup, and face jewels.
You may be tempted to buy a bunch of Mardi Gras beads, but hold back. You will get hundreds of beads from the parades and the balconies on Bourbon street.
Shop these Mardi Gras accessories
What to Wear to a Mardi Gras Party
If you can’t travel to New Orleans for Mardi Gras this year, you can still get in the theme at home. What to wear to a Mardi Gras Party is the exact same as what to wear to Mardi Gras – festive colors, lots of beads, and flashy outfits.
If you are hosting a Mardi Gras party or attending one, I encourage you to go all out. Have every item you wear be green, purple, and yellow. Then, layer on as many Mardi Gras accessories as you can!
110 New Orleans and Mardi Gras Instagram Caption Ideas
More Mardi Gras Outfit Ideas
If you’re still struggling with what to wear to Mardi Gras, the three above collages show complete outfit ideas for what to wear to Mardi Gras.
You’ll notice that each outfit is full of green, purple, and gold plus a ton of accessories. The key to a great Mardi Gras outfit is being over the top and on theme.
Shop these outfits: Outfit 1, Outfit 2, Outfit 3
FAQ – How to Dress for Mardi Gras
What color to wear on Mardi Gras?
The most iconic colors associated with Mardi Gras are purple, green and gold. People often wear masks and elaborate costumes in these colors. Tradition has it that purple stands for justice, green is for faith, and gold is for power.
What do you wear to a Mardi Gras party?
Mardi Gras is a time to let loose and have some fun. The dress code for Mardi Gras parties can range from casual to dressy depending on the event you are attending.
For casual Mardi Gras events, think bright colors, masks, and fun outfits like jumpsuits or rompers. For more formal events, try wearing a maxi dress with some glitzy jewelry or a colorful suit with a bold accessory like a feathered boa.
What is Mardi Gras?
Mardi Gras, also known as Fat Tuesday, is a Carnival celebration that takes place in many cities around the world, such as New Orleans. It is a day of indulgence and feasting, usually celebrated the day before Ash Wednesday, which marks the beginning of Lent and the 40-day period leading up to Easter.
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