Celebrating Mardi Gras: A Guide to Festive Outfits and Jewelry Pairings
Mardi Gras is a celebration like no other, steeped in history and bursting with energy! Mardi Gras in Mobile dates back to 1703 when French settlers first brought the celebration to America. Mobile’s (and New Orlean’s) festivities are filled with colorful floats, lively music, and an abundance of beads. Speaking of beads, as you prepare to partake in the fun, it’s essential to not only choose the right outfits but also to accessorize them with the perfect jewelry. Here’s how to make the most of your Mardi Gras experience while looking fabulous!
Mardi Gras Clothes: Color and Joy
Mardi Gras is all about vibrant colors of purple, green and gold - all of which symbolize justice, faith and power. When selecting your parade outfits, aim for pieces that reflect these festive colors. Incorporating these Mardi Gras colors will help you blend in with the celebratory atmosphere - bolder is better!
If you are attending a Mardi Gras Association party or luncheon, it is important to strike a balance between festive attire and elegance. I always base my attire off of the formality of the invitation, although most invitations will specify the dress code for you. Some may be formal, while others may be casual. For a more formal party, I suggest dresses with a fun pattern or gold accents, feather embelishments, ruffles, unique sleeves or even a beautiful blouse paired with a maxi skirt. For a lower profile dress, add interest with elegant shoes, a beautiful belt, a fur stole, a small chic clutch, bold statement jewelry like oversized earrings, chunky necklaces, colorful beaded necklaces, or statement pendants or brooches! For certain events, you will need an elegant hat or facinator that coordinates with your dress. When wearing a hat or facinator, I would forego large statement earrings and opt for some beautiful studs. Adding charms, pendants or brooches with a Mardi Gras theme such as a fleur de lis, crown, mask, jester or a Mardi Gras society’s pin is always fun and appropriate.
If you are attending a Mardi Gras ball, chances are that the attire required will be Costume de Rigueur….meaning tails for the men and full length gowns for the ladies. Jewelry plays a significant role in completing your Mardi Gras outfit. Here are some tips on how to pair jewelry effectively:
Matching jewelry with your attire - I like to match my jewelry with my dress colors. For instance, if I am wearing a green dress, I would pair my gold and diamond jewelry with emeralds or green onyx charms and earrings like our Andie Charm styled with the Madeline Necklace and layered with our Ombre Emerald Necklace. Additionally, I would add the timeless Rectangular Emerald Studs to finish the ensemble! This creates a cohesive look that ties everything together beautifully.
Bracelets - stacking and layering bracelets with mixed textures, metals and colorful stones is always fun for an added visual interest. My favorites are the Louise and McCall Bracelets for a stack with a statement!
Rings - I love a beautiful, bold cocktail ring! A vintage or antique piece passed down for generations always serves as the perfect conversation piece!
As you prepare for the joyous celebrations, remember that your outfit and accessories are an extension of the festive spirit and also help showcase your unique style! Embrace the vibrant colors, mix and match styles, and don’t be afraid to be bold with your jewelry choices! Enjoy the parades, the music, the parties, the balls, and most of all, the Camaraderie!
As always, we would love to help you shine bright this Mardi Gras season!
Happy Mardi Gras from the Harvest Jewels team!