10 Place to Shop for your Mardi Gras Attire
Whether before, during, or after Carnival, anytime is a great time to shop for Mardi Gras apparel in New Orleans.
Whether you're going on a biking/walking tour of the city's Carnival decorations or wanting to look your best during the parades, we've hatched occasions to dress for out of nothing but our own will. Even if you're not doing anything special, you don't have to justify your Mardi Gras ensemble. In the words of the great contemporary ideologist Ariana Grande, "You like my hair?/Gee, thanks, just bought it./I see it, I like it, I want it, I got it."
1. Plush Appeal/Mardi Gras Spot
2812 Toulouse St., (504) 482-0000
mardigrasspot.com
Plush Appeal, also known as the Mardi Gras Spot, is a family-owned store in Mid-City that has been supplying the city with Mardi Gras novelties and beads for 31 years. Their selection of Mardi Gras items is extensive and impressive, including selling papier-mache flowers.
Their apparel is pretty cute, too. We want the "purple, green, and gold sequin-trim-sleeves, black long-sleeve shirt"—sequins are usually melodramatic, but these just provide a pop of shine instead of an entire spectacle.
2. Uptown Costume & Dancewear
4326 Magazine St., (504) 895-7969
facebook.com/uptowncostumeanddancewear
On Magazine Street, there's an audaciously orange building that sticks out from the rest of the street, exactly the way a costume shop should. If you decided at the last minute that you need a whole entire look, Uptown Costume & Dancewear has you covered from head to toe, literally.
They have goggles, wigs, and hats galore, and those are just the trappings for your cranium. Their store is sure to have something for all sizes and styles.
3. Arc of Greater New Orleans
Multiple Locations
arcgnobeads.org
Arc of Greater New Orleans is a nonprofit that empowers people with disabilities by providing jobs and services. Their "turn beads into jobs" initiative repackages and sells trinkets, costumes, and accessories in eco-friendly and exciting packages.
Maybe you've seen their donation receptacles around town, or maybe you've volunteered there yourself? No matter if it's the first time hearing about Arc or you know all about them, shop their online store; it's the way to go if you're in the know.
4. Miss Claudia's Vintage Clothing & Costumes
4204 Magazine St., (504) 897-6310
facebook.com/missclaudiasvintage
Miss Claudia's Vintage Clothing & Costumes, located right be the James Beard Award-winning restaurant Shaya on Magazine Street, is a great place to visit for last minute Mardi Gras costumes. To clip on jewelry to all kinds of purple, green, and gold outfits, this store has all that you need.
In addition to Mardi Gras outfits, Miss Claudia's also offers costumes from many different historical decades. Want to be a '20 flapper girl or a '70s disco dancer? Miss Claudia's has you covered!
5. She Comes in Peace
2025 St. Claude Ave., (504) 766-7841
shecomesinpeace.com
Want to look groovy for Mardi Gras? Come on down to a place that is out of this out of this world. Located on St. Claude Avenue, this costume shop and hair salon is the place for all the funky trends for festival activities. They have wigs, goggles, hair pieces, colorful clothing items and nails designed to dazzle the nails.
Mainly known for their spacy, alien attire for certain festivals, they are able to create huge designs that appeal for the season. She Comes in Peace is definitely for those who want to be seen this Mardi Gras season.
6. Maskarade
630 St. Ann St., (504) 568-101
themaskstore.com
A mask may reveal the soul's eyes and provide a vivid narrative. Maskarade is located in the French Quarter near Jackson Square, a popular destination for travelers to explore the area's prominent landmarks such as St. Louis Cathedral. At Maskarade, it is their goal to use masks to spread pleasure, happiness, and a little mystery. They carry high-quality Italian masks that are expertly crafted in the old-school Venetian manner.
The store assists in bringing forth your "real self." The majority of masks are specifically made for celebrations or events by local artisans. Mask wearing has long been a New Orleans tradition, so make sure to take part in it!
7. Funky Monkey Nola
3127 Magazine St., (504) 899-5587
funkymonkeynola.com
Are you looking for hip, locally crafted costumes and clothing or a vintage T-shirt, dress, or jacket? Or event quirky accents that make people look twice? Maybe an Elvis jumpsuit covered with rhinestones? Since 1997, Funky Monkey has been locally owned and run on Magazine in Uptown.
They have a constantly changing inventory of vintage apparel from the 1920s to the 1990s, hand-selected new and vintage costume jewelry, independent labels, and modern essentials and trends for everyday wear. They even have a clothes exchange, which enables them to find and stock one-of-a-kind recycled goods for the shop.
8. Miette
2038 Magazine St., (504) 522-2883
iheartmiette.com
This not so typical boutique shop, full of customs costumes and housewares, is a magical wonderland. The shop is 10 minutes from the French Quarter in New Orleans' famed Lower Garden District. Its name is French for "crumb" or "small piece."
It's a typical Cajun phrase of love for a niece or young sister in rural Louisiana. The charming yet little peculiar Magazine Street store is owned by Angela Estevez. The business itself is kind of like Angela Capel's Velveteen Rabbit, full of beauty and creativity to those who wanna see more of crafts by artists for Mardi Gras.
9. Fifi's Custom Wigs
934 Royal St., (504) 525-4343
facebook.com/FifisFQ
Looking for a high quality wig for Carnival season? Be sure to head out to the French Quarter and make a stop at Fifi's Custom Wigs.
This spot is the perfect place if you're looking for just the right wig for a festival, parade, or celebration while in New Orleans. Message them of Facebook or give them a visit and let them find the best wig for you!
10. Nikki's French Quarter Halloween Store
107 Chartres St., (504) 302-2095
facebook.com/NikkisFrenchQuarterHalloweenStore
A year-round, 24-hour Halloween store in the French Quarter comes in handy for a city that finds excuses to wear festive regalia at least 15 times a year. Nicole Voltolina of Nikki's French Quarter Halloween Store is described on her Yelp bio as "fueled by her passion for Halloween."
She and her team voyaged the country visiting local companies, catching the best trade shows, and meeting with costume designers. Their work culminated in a store where you can get everything from party supplies and props to costumes and body paint. The store is officially closing down, so make sure to grab your Carnival gear before their gone for good!
Look Your Best for Carnival
Whether you're putting together your own Mardi Gras costume or getting a whole one last minute, these 10 places in New Orleans are guaranteed to help you look your Carnival best. From masks and costumes to crafts and more, these establishments are offer all kinds of goods that help showcase the city's festive spirit. Mardi Gras costumes are labors of love, and they're made to be shown off. So dress nice, dress comfy, and have a great time while in NOLA!
