Mardi Gras Costume Ideas

When it comes to spectacular Mardi Gras costume ideas, you want to go for the bold, beautiful and slightly – or totally – wild. To a certain extent, anything goes, but the overall preference is for the tried and true classics.

Feathers, beads and a masquerade mask make a perfect Mardi Gras costume

By far, the most popular Mardi Gras costumes are those that echo the original masquerade balls that characterized the holiday. So clothes of the Italian Renaissance or 18th-century France are preferred. Colors are bright and bold, with the focus on green, purple and gold. Masks are almost de rigueur and if they match the costume exactly, so much the better. Masks can be beautiful, funny or foreboding, but the preference is mostly for the first two – Mardi Gras is a happy occasion.

A very common Mardi Gras costume idea for men is the Harlequin, or jester. The lively, buoyant quality of Mardi Gras encourages the costume of a jokester or trickster. And because there is a strong sensual aspect to Mardi Gras, a costume like this allows men to tease other parade and partygoers and be forward in a way that would usually be frowned upon. But in these circumstances, it's all part of the fun!

Men will also often be seen as medieval kings or magicians. Majesty and magic, those are big themes for Mardi Gras!

When casting about for a Mardi Gras costume idea, just remember you can't wrong with anything that has a lot of sparkle and at least a whiff of exoticism. An animal costume is always an excellent choice for either men or women. Lions – they being kings of the jungle – are an option, as are tigers. And because color is so important, peacocks and parrots are also hugely popular choices. Also snakes, for the obvious reason of their complicated magical association, the slightly naughty flair and the chance to wear bright stripes.

These costumes are usually much more highly stylized than the average animal costume bought in a drugstore or even rented in a costume shop. You are encouraged to make your own costume, which can have a much more dance costume quality. Shiny, skin-tight and again, sparkly outfits are all the rage. And instead of a large and unwieldy animal head, you might want to opt for a wig and a mask. The mask should be as elaborate as you can find it, make it or stand it.

The Mardi Gras parade in New Orleans is famous for the throwing of beads when someone, usually a woman, flashes the thrower. It should be noted that this is the parade meant more for tourists and college kids, but New Orleanians don't tend to join – there are better and more real parades in town.

Beadwork, however, is still an important aspect of a good Mardi Gras costume. Whether you are in a medieval or Renaissance outfit, animal costume or just embellishing your own clothes, you must include beads in some capacity. The best way is to get strings of colored beads at the costume shop and use them as trim on a costume, mask or as jewelry and hair ornaments.

Many of the best Mardi Gras costumes can be expensive to buy, rent or even make. But you don't need to go all out to look great and have a good time. You can just go ahead and wear your own clothes but add some excitement to them.

First, remember that a Mardi Gras costume often has a touch of mystery to it. Which of course means a mask but it can also mean that you dress in black – perhaps with a dash of some bright color – and carry some props. A parasol and a few scarves or a feather boa can do the trick. Even just sparkly makeup will give you an exotic look and show you're a powerful part of the party!

• Costume Ideas to Make at Home
• Rainbow Brite Costume Ideas
• How to Make Medieval Costumes

• Sexy Halloween Costumes
• Masquerade Costumes
• Group Halloween Costumes
• Adult Halloween Costumes
• Abba Costumes