If you are heading to Mardi Gras in New Orleans this year, or throwing a Mardi Gras party of your own, a Mardi Gras costume is a must! You can be over the top and still comfortable as you celebrate all day, for the weekend, or all the way up to Fat Tuesday!
This post will have Mardi Gras Costume Ideas plus a few shops that rent out costumes, so you can find the best Mardi Gras costumes to wear as you are having a great time all Mardi Gras season long! *Updated January 2026*
The perfect Mardi Gras Costume Ideas for this Mardi Gras!
It’s carnival season! This list is all about the best Mardi Gras Costume Ideas to go all out and let the good time roll! Beyond Mardi Gras beads, these are some great outfit ideas to spend the day at the parades or under the glittering lights of New Orleans.
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Mardi Gras Outfit Series – Ideas & Inspiration
Need more Mardi Gras Outfit ideas? We have a whole section of the blog to help you out.
When Is Mardi Gras This Year?
Mardi Gras Day (Fat Tuesday) is Tuesday, February 17, 2026. It changes every year because it’s tied to Easter (Easter 2026 is April 5, 2026), and Mardi Gras falls 47 days before Easter.
Slowestuff Mardi Gras Section
We LOVE Mardi Gras, and have an entire section of the Blog dedicated to it!
Pace yourself! Drink water! Wear comfortable shoes! Eat some king cake! Check out our full guide to Mardi Gras in New Orleans to give you all the helpful tips and tricks so you make it to Ash Wednesday.
This post is about Mardi Gras Costumes, for those who want to go all out during carnival season! If you are looking for more casual clothes that fit the Mardi Gras vibe, check out our posts on Mardi Gras boutique outfits, or dressy and casual Mardi Gras outfits for women and plenty more in our Mardi Gras section!
If you are inspired by the items posted but they are not quite right, head over to our storefront of Mardi Gras Essentials to look through all types of ideas for Mardi Gras outfits for women, men and kids!
Why Do People Wear Mardi Gras Costumes?
Mardi Gras costumes have such a cool history!
It all started way back in the early Mardi Gras celebrations in New Orleans when people would wear these wild costumes to keep their identities secret while partying on Fat Tuesday. It was kind of a way to break society rules and mix with everyone, no matter who you were.
Fast forward to today, and folks are still rocking everything from jester costumes to Mardi Gras beads and masks to really get into the spirit of Mardi Gras. Whether you’re at a masquerade ball in the French Quarter or catching beads on Bourbon Street, the costume game is all about letting the good times roll!
Mardi Gras Costume vs. Mardi Gras Clothes
Photo Credits: Julie Clements
We think of Mardi Gras themed clothing as being different from actual Mardi Gras costumes. Mardi Gras outfits tend to just focus on the Mardi Gras colors and maybe some accessories like beads, but a full-on Mardi Gras costume is a whole other level!
We’re talking feather boas, venetian masks, and sometimes even body paint if you’re feeling extra. And these costumes aren’t just for New Orleans, think of all the Mardi Gras parties, themed events, and even Halloween costumes where you could totally embrace the Mardi Gras vibe.
Whether you go for a jester costume or throw on a feathered headpiece, you’re guaranteed a unique look.
Mardi Gras Costume Ideas You Can Buy
These are costumes you can buy online and build your look at home. For more elaborate costumes you may want to rent, see below for that section!
GENERAL CAVEAT – These costumes look great with stilettos, but unless you are going to Mardi Gras balls or another type of Mardi Gras or Halloween Party, these shoes aren’t the type of costume accessories we recommend if you are going to New Orleans. You are going to do a lot of walking, among a lot of people, in who knows what that is spilled on the street. Wear comfortable shoes!
Mini Mardi Gras with Gloves
Mardi Gras Bodysuit with Thigh Highs
Mardi Gras Jester
Fringe Mardi Gras Outfit
Mardi Gras King
Beaded Mardi Gras
Mardi Gras Light Up Skirt
Sexy Jester Mardi Gras Costume
Gothic Tailcoat in Mardi Gras Colors
Light Up Headpiece
King of Mardi Gras
Mardi Gras Feather Shawl
Mardi Gras Masks
Mardi Gras Corset
Mardi Gras Wings
Mardi Gras Jester Hoodie
Mardi Gras Parasol
Mardi Gras Shimmer
Mardi Gras Sexy Jester
Mardi Gras Wigs
Mardi Gras Tinsel Jacket
Mardi Gras Dress
The Best Mardi Gras Costume Ideas & Accessories – Shop Version
You can also look to shops that may be local to you to check out their great selection of Mardi Gras Costumes.
Dallas Vintage Shop
Mardi Gras Costume Shop
Charismatico
FAQs – Mardi Gras Costumes
Short answer, no. I have been to Mardi Gras a bunch of times in New Orleans, plus gone to a bunch of Mardi Gras parties and not once have I ever worn a mask. That said, masks are one of the fastest ways to make an outfit look instantly “Mardi Gras” in photos, and they are super common at parties, bars, and anything with a masquerade vibe, especially for photo ops. If you don’t want to mess up your hair, find one of the masks on a stick that you can hold and mask up when you choose. If you want to build a whole outfit around a mask, for sure do that! But if you don’t have a mask, don’t sweat it. You don’t need it.
If you want a more elaborate look without storing a whole costume in your closet forever, renting is a smart move. In this post, scroll down to the Shop Version section where you can link out to costume shops and rental options first, then follow it with the buy-online ideas for anyone who wants something shipped fast. Renting is especially helpful for high-effort pieces like full suits, gowns, tailcoats, oversized headpieces, and statement masks. If you are celebrating in New Orleans, check out our Mardi Gras tips/guide post so that you are ready to head to the Big Easy.
Last-minute Mardi Gras costumes can still look like you planned them on purpose, promise. First thing, look in your closet and find anything green, purple or gold. Adding something white to those colors, like a white tshirt, and then pile on some accessories, and you are set. If you have enough time to go shopping, and you are looking for a casual Mardi Gras outfit, grab a Mardi Gras themed Tshirt! Want something a little more curated, but still comfy? Check out our favorite Mardi Gras Boutique Outfits for some ideas. A purple, green, and gold sequin or tinsel jacket looks amazing over a black top and leggings. Fellas, you need ideas too? We got you, with our favorite Mardi Gras outfits for men. We have a good mix of outfit ideas for Mardi Gras fits for every style.
Accessories are the cheat code. If someone is wearing plain black, you can still turn it into a Mardi Gras look in two minutes with the right pieces. The easiest “instant Mardi Gras” add-ons are: a mask, a crown or headpiece, a feather boa or shawl, and bold beads. Add one sparkle piece (tinsel jacket, sequined skirt, glitter suspenders) and you are basically done. We have accessories included in some of our favorite Mardi Gras outfit pieces for women to give you plenty of inspiration.
The Best Mardi Gras Costume Ideas & Shops
Honestly, no matter where you’re celebrating, you’ve got so many options when it comes to Mardi Gras costume ideas. You could totally rock a classic baby doll costume or go all out with a carnival costume complete with a tinsel wig and full-face mask. And if you’re hitting up a Mardi Gras ball or a fancy themed party, you could add some long wigs and a top hat to really be the center of attention. Whatever you choose, it’s all about having fun, embracing the festive spirit, and making sure the good times roll wherever you are!
Don’t forget to check out our Mardi Gras section with posts on Mardi Gras tips, lots of ideas for Mardi Gras outfits, and even posts on a Mardi Gras journal!
You can also find all of the listed items and more in our storefront, so check that out for some great ideas for Mardi Gras.
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⚜️🎭 Happy Mardi Gras, and Laissez les bon temps rouler!! 💜💚💛
Slowestuff
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