DIY Mardi Gras Attire: Ideas for Creating Your Own Look
Mardi Gras, French for "Fat Tuesday," falls on the day before Ash Wednesday. Since Lent follows and involves giving up certain foods for many observers, the occasion is marked with rich meals and festivities. Traditions vary across cultures, and costumes play a key role in the celebration for numerous people.
By Avery Howard
Mardis Gras costumes can be as simple as a face mask and beads, but can also be more involved.
The French phrase "Mardi Gras" means "Fat Tuesday," and it lands on the Tuesday preceding Ash Wednesday on the Christian calendar. Lent starts with Ash Wednesday, a season when numerous individuals abstain from particular foods, so Mardi Gras is frequently observed with abundant feasting and merrymaking before those more modest meals arrive. Different cultures have shaped their own customs, and for a great many people, costumes form a central element of the festivities.
Color Choices
Traditional Mardi Gras colors are the ones to reach for when putting together a homemade costume for the celebration. Using plenty of purple (associated with justice), green (representing faith) or gold (symbolizing power) is a good move. Seek out fabrics in those hues as you construct your outfit. Although a single color can work, blending them tends to be more effective. Red shows up often as well, though it is not one of the official Mardi Gras colors. No matter which colors go into the design, the genuine priority is boldness. A Mardi Gras costume ought to be flashy and draw attention.
Masks and Headwear
In numerous respects, dressing up for Mardi Gras follows a nearly "anything goes" mentality. Face masks that are brightly colored and trimmed with feathers are widely seen. An inexpensive eye mask from a costume shop can be transformed into a Mardi Gras mask by gluing on glitter, paint and feathers. Jester crowns are another popular option and can be assembled from cardboard with similar embellishments attached. Jester hats—the kind Halloween stores stock—in Mardi Gras colors are frequently worn as well. Even cowboy hats or other hats in vivid colors can be part of the look.
Costumes in the Halloween Vein
A large number of Mardi Gras attendees choose Halloween-style costumes. Some costume types do not adapt well to Mardi Gras, but outfits in the traditional colors tend to work. A gold-toned alien can be put together at home using fabric, cardboard, makeup and some creativity. Herman Munster or a lizard introduces green into the mix and can usually be assembled from makeup and clothing already in your closet. When going with a Halloween-style costume, however, remember to include Mardi Gras accessories to raise the boldness level.
Accessories to Add
Mardi Gras costumes are fundamentally about pushing toward excess, so piling on more accessories is the preferred strategy. Beads in Mardi Gras colors and other shades are essential and are frequently traded during the celebration. You can make strings of beads at home in the right colors. Scepters lend a regal appearance. Wands in Mardi Gras colors are another good choice. Pairing beads and feathers with scepters and wands adds more to the costume. A walking stick could be converted into a staff using paint, feathers and beads.
