Mardi Gras Costumes
Mardi Gras is one of the best times of year for fun: costumes, masks, glamorous masquerade balls, parades, feather boas, party favors, and funny hats galore. Don't forget the purple, green and gold beads, coins, doubloons and other necklaces made for tossing into crowds and showing off. Whether you need an award winning costume for parades, crewes, costume balls, or for your own private party, you'll find all the fun Mardi Gras costumes, decorations, and party supplies you'll need. Keep in mind that Mardi Gras is simply the best party theme ever, so it is perfect for year round celebrations like Birthday parties, Anniversaries, Weddings... and just a good excuse to have a party! Laissez les bon temps roullex — let the good times roll!
The Birthplace of Mardi Gras is Mobile, Alabama
Mention Mardi Gras and images of drunken wildness in New Orlean's French Quarter most likely spring to mind. But did you know that Mardi Gras actually started in Mobile, Alabama over 300 years ago? Did you also know that Mobile is "America's Family Mardi Gras" and is appropriate for all ages? If you’re looking to have a fun time out of harm’s way, get your Mardi Gras costume ready because Mobile has one of the safest celebrations in the world! Article continues at bottom of this page...
Jolly Jester Mardi Gras Costume
Whether you are celebrating Mardi Gras or Carnival, its anything goes as far as costumes. Use your imagination and have fun are about the only "rules" there are! This oversized Jolly Jester costume includes hat with see-thru mash screen, over shoulder mask with hair and collar bells, jumpsuit, and shoe covers. Get the Jolly Jester Mardi Gras costume here.
Mardi Gras Masquerade Costume
You'll be one hot harlequin in this spicy ensemble which includes a satin corset style dress with harlequin print, gold brocade details and attached petticoat. A sequin, bead and feather detail mask, stretch satin gloves and a jeweled neckband are also included in this flirty and fierce ensemble. Available in women's sizes: Small, Medium and Large. Includes: Dress/Petticoat, Mask, Gloves, Neckband; stockings and shoes are not included. Please Note: Due to a style change by the manufacturer, the chest and waist measurements are running small for this costume. Get more details here.
Evil Jester Mardi Gras Costume
Here's a joker who's no fool when it comes to Mardi Gras costumes! Make a royal statement with this Evil Jester costume! 100% Polyester Mardi Gras costume includes a double knot polyester shirt with skull trim, black & white checkered pants, black waist sash, black & white checkered headpiece, and a skull character mask. Available in Adult Sizes: Medium, Large, and X-Large. Includes: Top, pants, waist sash, headpiece, mask (shoes are not included). Jester Cane and Black Costume Gloves are sold separately (may differ slightly from shown). The Evil Jester costume is also available in Child and Adult Plus Sizes. It's no joke— get a close-up look here at this devious Evil Jester Mardi Gras Costume.
Marie Antoinette Mardi Gras Costume
Elegance, extravagance, and exquisiteness. Bring Marie Antoinette’s style and grace back from the 18th century for Mardi Gras costume this year! Wrap yourself in teal and gold brocade – the Marie Antoinette dress features a brocade top and peplum with a ruffle trim, a square neckline, and a show-stopping gold metallic skirt. A matching hat is the included accoutrement that completes this enchanting ensemble. Available in Adult Sizes: S/M and M/L. Includes: Dress, Hat; wig and petticoat are not included. More details here on this stunning womens Mardi Gras costume.
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Mardi Gras in Mobile, Alabama continued...
When is Mardi Gras? The exact date of Mardi Gras changes each year, but it can always be determined by calculating backwards from the date on which Easter falls. Mardi Gras Day, or "Fat Tuesday" is the Tuesday before Ash Wednesday, which begins the 40-day Lenten season. In the week preceeding Fat Tuesday, over twenty parades (lighted parades at night are really spectacular) and countless parties and balls are held in celebration. The Saturday, Sunday and Monday before Mardi Gras is the real party— with two or three parades held each day.
Mardi Gras Frivolity. Although it’s family-friendly, Mobile’s Mardi Gras is not just for the kids. The frivolity and excitement of a Mardi Gras parade or party has a way of turning staid adults into giddy revelers, whether you choose to outfit yourself in sequins and masks or an outrageous Mardi Gras costume. During Mardi Gras, the streets of Mobile and surrounding suburbs come alive. Frequent parades are the highlights. Brilliant-colored floats motor slowly down the streets, allowing time for costumed riders to toss “throws” to the enthusiastic crowds. Favored “throws” are beaded necklaces in the traditional colors of green, gold, and purple, moon pies, candy, plastic cups, moon pies, stuffed animals, wooden coins, and more moon pies! The best way to get the most throws is to get yourself noticed: wave your hands in the air, jump up and down, yell, and catch the eye of a thrower on the float. Of course if you wear a colorful, funky jester hat or other Mardi Gras costume accessory, you'll really stand out! Get to the parade route early to stake your spot on the sidewalk or roadside, and bring a bag to haul home your loot. You’ll be leaving with literally pounds of beads and other souvenirs.
History of Mardi Gras. The Mardi Gras of days gone by wasn’t quite so raucous at first. Back in 1703 when Mobile was basically a colony of French soldiers, a few men painted their faces and acted crazy for a few hours. They were celebrating because the city had come through a bad bout of yellow fever and diseases such as that weren’t easily out-lived back then. The celebration caught on and became an annual event. The first parade occurred in 1840 in New Orleans when a group from Mobile helped that city establish its own celebration. Mystic organizations developed and continue today (these groups plan and fund-raise throughout the year). Membership in a mystic society is taken very seriously and his highly coveted, but mystic doesn’t mean black magic. You can tell by the funky names— Knights of Daze, Maids of Jubilee, Mystics of Pleasure, Krewe of Merry Mates, Comic Cowboys— that it’s all about the fun.
Who is Joe Cain? After the Civil War, the Southern way of life changed forever. Mobile was occupied by Federal troops, and many celebrations and traditions were put on hold. After years of no Mardi Gras, in 1866, Joe Cain, an ordinary citizen, decided to do something about the doom and gloom. Needing a departure from the ordinary, Cain decked himself in full Chickasaw Indian regalia, proclaimed himself Chief Slacabamorinico, climbed aboard a coal wagon with some rowdy friends, called themselves "The Tea Drinkers" (betcha they had imbibed in stronger spirits than that!) and road his one-mule, one-float parade through the town. Mardi Gras then reappeared and the city of Mobile got a much-needed boost of life. Joe Cain’s choice of an Indian character for his costume was a subtle insult to the Union forces— the Chickasaw had never officially surrendered during the Civil War.
Thanks to his antics, Joe Cain holds a special place in the hearts of Mobilians even today, and a special procession is held in his honor. Cain's Merry Widows, a mysterious group of women donned in black who throw black roses and beads from their Mardi Gras float, are a regular part of his procession. After the Joe Cain parade, Cain's Merry Widows partake in a mock funeral at his gravesite, located at the Church Street Graveyard in downtown Mobile. The widows weep, throw beads, weep, and throw even more!
Mardi Gras must be experienced to be fully understood. If you've never participated before, be sure to bring the family to where it all began—Mobile, Alabama. Whether you choose to go all out and wear a Mardi Gras costume, or maybe just a mask or hat, you can't go wrong if you're open to having a good time. The original home of the crazy celebration is the best place to discover just how many colorful beads one person can wear— your neck definitely gets put to the test! Grab all you can, because at the stroke of midnight on Fat Tuesday, the wackiness vanishes to make way for Lent. But until then... laissez les bon temps roullex — let the good times roll!
Mardi Gras Frivolity. Although it’s family-friendly, Mobile’s Mardi Gras is not just for the kids. The frivolity and excitement of a Mardi Gras parade or party has a way of turning staid adults into giddy revelers, whether you choose to outfit yourself in sequins and masks or an outrageous Mardi Gras costume. During Mardi Gras, the streets of Mobile and surrounding suburbs come alive. Frequent parades are the highlights. Brilliant-colored floats motor slowly down the streets, allowing time for costumed riders to toss “throws” to the enthusiastic crowds. Favored “throws” are beaded necklaces in the traditional colors of green, gold, and purple, moon pies, candy, plastic cups, moon pies, stuffed animals, wooden coins, and more moon pies! The best way to get the most throws is to get yourself noticed: wave your hands in the air, jump up and down, yell, and catch the eye of a thrower on the float. Of course if you wear a colorful, funky jester hat or other Mardi Gras costume accessory, you'll really stand out! Get to the parade route early to stake your spot on the sidewalk or roadside, and bring a bag to haul home your loot. You’ll be leaving with literally pounds of beads and other souvenirs.
History of Mardi Gras. The Mardi Gras of days gone by wasn’t quite so raucous at first. Back in 1703 when Mobile was basically a colony of French soldiers, a few men painted their faces and acted crazy for a few hours. They were celebrating because the city had come through a bad bout of yellow fever and diseases such as that weren’t easily out-lived back then. The celebration caught on and became an annual event. The first parade occurred in 1840 in New Orleans when a group from Mobile helped that city establish its own celebration. Mystic organizations developed and continue today (these groups plan and fund-raise throughout the year). Membership in a mystic society is taken very seriously and his highly coveted, but mystic doesn’t mean black magic. You can tell by the funky names— Knights of Daze, Maids of Jubilee, Mystics of Pleasure, Krewe of Merry Mates, Comic Cowboys— that it’s all about the fun.
Who is Joe Cain? After the Civil War, the Southern way of life changed forever. Mobile was occupied by Federal troops, and many celebrations and traditions were put on hold. After years of no Mardi Gras, in 1866, Joe Cain, an ordinary citizen, decided to do something about the doom and gloom. Needing a departure from the ordinary, Cain decked himself in full Chickasaw Indian regalia, proclaimed himself Chief Slacabamorinico, climbed aboard a coal wagon with some rowdy friends, called themselves "The Tea Drinkers" (betcha they had imbibed in stronger spirits than that!) and road his one-mule, one-float parade through the town. Mardi Gras then reappeared and the city of Mobile got a much-needed boost of life. Joe Cain’s choice of an Indian character for his costume was a subtle insult to the Union forces— the Chickasaw had never officially surrendered during the Civil War.
Thanks to his antics, Joe Cain holds a special place in the hearts of Mobilians even today, and a special procession is held in his honor. Cain's Merry Widows, a mysterious group of women donned in black who throw black roses and beads from their Mardi Gras float, are a regular part of his procession. After the Joe Cain parade, Cain's Merry Widows partake in a mock funeral at his gravesite, located at the Church Street Graveyard in downtown Mobile. The widows weep, throw beads, weep, and throw even more!
Mardi Gras must be experienced to be fully understood. If you've never participated before, be sure to bring the family to where it all began—Mobile, Alabama. Whether you choose to go all out and wear a Mardi Gras costume, or maybe just a mask or hat, you can't go wrong if you're open to having a good time. The original home of the crazy celebration is the best place to discover just how many colorful beads one person can wear— your neck definitely gets put to the test! Grab all you can, because at the stroke of midnight on Fat Tuesday, the wackiness vanishes to make way for Lent. But until then... laissez les bon temps roullex — let the good times roll!