Mardi Gras Costume Ideas in Purple, Green and Gold

A Mardi Gras costume is one of the most colorful things you will ever wear. Mardi Gras, French for "Fat Tuesday", is the last day of the Carnival season before Lent begins on Ash Wednesday, and masks and costumes are at the heart of the celebration. Whether you are heading to a parade, a school event or a Carnival party at home, the ingredients are the same: a mask, plenty of sparkle, and the three traditional colors.

Purple, green and gold: what the colors mean

The colors most associated with Mardi Gras in New Orleans are purple, green and gold. They were first specified by the Rex organization before its first parade in 1872, which suggested that balconies be draped in banners of those colors. Nobody knows for certain why they were chosen. After a color-themed parade in 1892, Rex declared that the three colors symbolized justice, power and faith. Using all three, in any proportion, makes a costume read as Mardi Gras straight away.

Costume ideas

In New Orleans, Mardi Gras costumes often take the shape of fairies, animals, figures from myths and medieval characters, as well as clowns. Those categories make a good starting list:

The jester

A jester is the classic Carnival costume: a tunic or top split into two or more colors, a three-pointed hat with bells, and a mask or face paint. Make the tunic from two contrasting T-shirts cut and pinned together, or simply wear a purple top with green leggings and add a jester hat.

Masquerade guest

A dress or suit in one of the three colors, a decorated eye mask and gloves. Decorate a plain mask with sequins, feathers and gold paint. This is the easiest look for an evening party.

Carnival royalty

A king or queen with a cape, a crown and a scepter. Use a long piece of purple fabric for the cape, trim it with gold ribbon, and make the crown from craft foam or card covered in gold paint and plastic gems.

Fairy or butterfly

Wings in green and gold, a tutu or flowing skirt, glitter and a flower crown. Wings can be made from wire hangers and tights, or poster board decorated with sequins.

Animal from a parade float

Peacocks, parrots, dragons and alligators all suit the color palette. A green hoodie with felt spikes becomes an alligator; a purple outfit with a fan of feathers becomes a peacock.

Mythical figure

Sun and moon, a sea king with a trident, or a winged figure in gold. Big headpieces are part of the spectacle.

Ideas at a glance

Costume	Good for	Key item
Jester	Everyone, including kids	Pointed hat with bells
Masquerade guest	Evening parties	Decorated eye mask
King or queen	Couples	Cape and crown
Fairy	Kids and groups	Glitter wings
Peacock or alligator	Families	Feathers or felt spikes
Sun and moon	Pairs	Large gold headpiece

Make your own mask

1. Start with a plain eye mask from a craft store, or cut one from stiff card using an old pair of sunglasses as a template.
2. Paint it gold or purple and let it dry completely.
3. Glue on sequins, gems and glitter in the three colors.
4. Add feathers at one side with a strong craft glue or a low-temperature glue gun, used with adult supervision.
5. Attach elastic or ribbon ties, or glue the mask to a stick to hold it up.

For more make-it-yourself costumes, see our easy DIY costumes; most of them can be redone in Carnival colors.

Parade-day tips

• Shoes first. Parade days involve hours of standing and walking. Wear comfortable shoes, whatever the costume.
• Keep vision clear. Choose an eye mask with wide openings, or face paint, especially for children.
• Watch out for throws. Objects thrown from floats can cause eye injuries, so keep an eye on the floats and on children nearby.
• Check local rules. Customs differ by city. In New Orleans, costumes and masks are mostly worn on Mardi Gras day itself, and some businesses ask people to remove masks before entering.
• Respect traditions. Some Carnival communities have their own costume traditions with deep cultural meaning. Admire them rather than copy them as a costume.

Hosting a Carnival night at home? Our theme party guide has tips on invitations, music and costume contests that work for any theme.