Mardis Gras + Carnival Worldwide
A Mardis Gras Story
The story of Mardis Gras is fraught with masks literal and figurative. (If history’s not your thing, feel free to skip ahead to the fun stuff.) Although Mardis Gras, French for Fat Tuesday, is the largest Carnival celebration in the Americas, it wasn’t always American. In the 17th century it was still fully Catholic and fully French, albeit on New World soil. The latter had brought their penchant for masquerade balls to their colony on the Mississippi River, and this happened to mix well with the rhythms and public celebrations of the Caribbean and West African diaspora also living there. When the French gave the Louisiana territory to their more conservative buddies, the Spaniards, in 1762, little did they know, partying in a mask was over. (Gasp!) At least until 1827, that is, when Louisiana was officially in American hands and the massive, out-of-control Mardis Gras parades we associate with the contemporary holiday started to take shape.
In 1857, a group Anglo-American businessmen gathered in the historic French Quarter and formed a secret society known as the Mystic Krewe of Comus. Their conversation went a little something like this: „Psst! Let’s turn this Mardis Gras thing into a real party, waddya say? Okay. Yeah!“ And get this: Comus refers to a masque, an Anglo-Saxon courtly celebration not to be confused with the masks we wear – and a courtly celebration of chastity at that! Since the Comus krewe took over, Mardis Gras has become at once a rockin’ family affair and oh so scandalous, indeed the opposite of chaste at certain moments. (Misnomer much?) Something for everyone you might say, with parade floats, Zulu coconuts and the classic Mardis Gras throws, i.e. beads out the wazoo. Anyway, that should be enough enlightenment for now. Let’s get down to the nitty-gritty: What to wear!
Masked at Mardi Gras
Since all of Fat Tuesday history comes down to masks and masques, let’s start with the former. Here there’s only one thing to say: masks with feathers! Feather masks! Feathers period! They capture the whimsical spirit of Mardis Gras and are just straight-up classy. From our ravishing Venetian masks to our leather masks and art masks, think Eyes Wide Shut only G-rated.
Our pairing of comedy and tragedy masks makes a fantastic couples costume, while certain animal masks are mainstays of the N’awlins debauchery. And they’re not particularly beastly or earthly, they’re on the more ethereal side of the animal kingdom. Try our fish masks and bird masks on for size and move with ease through the crowds.
Mardis Gras Costumes
If you manage to snab tickets to a Mardis Gras ball, then you’ll need some proper evening attire, meaning floor-length evening gowns for women and tuxedos for men. As for the various parades throughout New Orleans, you’re free to wear pretty much anything. You could go without a costume, yet given that costuming at Mardis Gras is so lavish and excessive, why not join the fun? Native New Orleanians tend to do it up – from funny costumes to burlesque and sexy costumes, the end result is always carefree extravagance.
Strutting peacocks and coy harlequins are old favorites, as are pirates, jesters, satyrs and mermaids. Mardis Gras is 100% family-friendly, too, which makes it the perfect occasion for group and couples costumes. For the single among us, people often get a group of friends together and take to the streets. Otherwise a safe bet is to wear something yellow, purple or green – the official Mardis Gras colors. Of course, the quickest, easiest costume would be just wrapping yourself in our region- & theme-appropriate Fleur-de-lis flag. BTW, flamingo costumes never fail.
Mardi Gras Accessories
That’s just the beginning. Mardis Gras would be nothing without its opulent beads, trinkets, make-up and accessories. From gloves and wigs in Mardis Gras colors to crowns and tiaras – everyone’s royalty on Fat Tuesday – we have a ton of stuff to complete your outfit. Tattoo skin sleeves are perfect for a gritty New Orleans look. Oh, and one more thing about the joy of feathers: boas! Can’t forgot those. Pair a rockin’ corset with wild pantyhose or leggings, add some rhinestone high heels, and false eyelashes, and you’ll make Mardis Gras shine. Speaking of which, the sun down south is STRONG, so a cute parasol would give you some UV protection while upping your cute-factor.
One last note: if you won’t be in New Orleans for Carnival, all of these tips apply to any Carnival celebration in the whole wide world! Here are the biggest dates, just pick a city.
CARNIVAL 2014 – International Dates
COLOGNE, GERMANY | Kölner Karneval | 27/02 – 04/03/2014
For more information click here: Cologne Carnival 2014
NEW ORLEANS, USA | Mardis Gras | 28/02 – 05/03/2014
For more information click here: Mardis Gras 2014
RIO DE JANEIRO, BRAZIL | Carnaval do Rio | 28/02 – 05/03/2014
For more information click here: Carnaval in Rio 2014
VENICE, ITALY | Carnevale di Venezia | 15/02 – 04/03/2014
For more information click here: Carnival of Venice 2014
Throw me something, mister!
The Revelers @ maskworld.com
