One of New Orleans’ most awaited celebrations every year is the Carnival season, which launches on the 6th of January. It also lands on the Feast of the Epiphany, which is the official end of the Christmas season and the start of a new festival.
Most locals celebrate each day of the season with feasts and drinking to be merry before the lent season begins. However, the largest events happen on the days leading up to the Lent season, especially on the Tuesday before Ash Wednesday.
Mardi Gras, which is French for “Fat Tuesday” is the official end of the carnival season, so locals and tourists alike look forward to this celebration.
If you plan to join the celebrations, you can look forward to a number of balls and parades you have to attend at least once in your life. It is a fun experience you don’t want to miss.
In this case, you need to prepare your wardrobe! Whether you are in for an elegant evening ball or a raucous parade, it would be nice to fit in with the crowd and enjoy the night!
What To Wear To The Parades?
Some tourists and locals book a hotel room overlooking the parade route to get a great view. Due to this reason, many people book their rooms earlier to secure a spot. To fully enjoy the event and festivities, this is the guide of what you should wear on the day of the Mardi Gras:
1. Comfortable shoes
If you happen to not get a hotel room with a view of the parade route, be sure to wear comfortable clothes. The main event alone lasts for three hours, while all other festivities last all day long. To enjoy every event of the celebration, it would be best to be in your most comfortable footwear because there will be a lot of walking and standing.
2. Breathable clothing
Choose a type of clothing with a breathable fabric, such as nylon and polyester blends, as they dry well and allow you to stay cool throughout the day. With the number of people attending the celebrations, it’s inevitable to be hot and sweaty during midday.
3. Layers
Weather in New Orleans varies during Mardi Gras. You can’t always expect to be cold or hot throughout the day, so it would be best to wear layers of clothing that you can remove as the day goes warmer and wear again when the cold night falls.
4. Mask From The French Market
Of course, you should not forget to stop by the French Market and get a one-of-a-kind mask at the Mask Mart to complete the experience! Aside from being comfortable, you can also be as fashionable as the other attendees. You’ll also have a higher chance of the float riders throwing something your way while jumping up and down at the parade!
5. Mardi Gras Outfit
If you plan to celebrate with dancing, music, and countless partying, then getting in a Mardi Gras outfit will be the best way to do that. You can find amazing and high-quality Mardi Gras outfits at Charismatico that will make you stand out and be the queen of the party.
What To Wear For The Balls?
To determine what kind of attire to prepare, be sure to pay attention to the words “black tie” or “costume de rigueur” on your invitation.
Costume de rigueur
For a man, this attire refers to a white tie with tails while and a floor-length gown of any color but white, but debutantes are allowed to wear the said color.
Black tie
On the other hand, a black-tie requires formal gowns for women and tuxedos for men. In some balls, military members are suggested to wear their dress uniforms. Some requests to reserve the color gold to the royalty of the hosting krewe.
Things You Don’t Need For Mardi Gras
To keep your traveling light and convenient, these are the things that you don’t need when joining the festivities in New Orleans:
Winter Outerwear
Mardi Gras happens during winter in New Orleans, but the need for bulky winter outerwear is rare in the celebrations. Instead, bring a waterproof jacket that will keep you from getting soaked and chilly if the weather is rainy.
Umbrella
During the parade, it will be very crowded, and using an umbrella will only be a nuisance to you and others attending. Expect to get wet from the weather or throwing from the float riders.
High heels
Unless you are attending an elegant ball or a fancy dinner reservation, avoid wearing high heels and dress shoes. They will only leave you bruised and will prevent you from jumping up and down when the parade starts because of two things — you might step on other people and trip from the road paving.
Additional Packing Tips For Mardi Gras
Whether you are arriving in New Orleans by bus, train, or plane, be sure to pack lightly. Usually, you may walk from Amtrak or Greyhound station to your hotel. On the other hand, there is a 15-mile journey from the airport to the French Quarter.
Pack a costume for the parade. It is recommended to wear fun and colorful costumes when attending family-friendly events, but be sure that it is appropriate for the younger audiences.
It would also be best to use packing cubes to put the undergarments and toiletries. This will secure the liquid products and organize your luggage well.
Keep in mind Transportation Security Administration’s 3-1-1 rule that is applicable for carry-on luggage. Only 3 ounces of liquids and gels are allowed, packed in small containers and one 1-quart of plastic bag to hold them in place.
Conclusion
Excited about the Mardi Gras? Be sure to check all of the reminders above to ensure that you will have an amazing time celebrating the festivities in New Orleans! Don’t forget to enjoy and feel yourself at the moment in this wonderful season of celebrating traditions.