If you've chosen to station yourself here in New Orleans, we assume you own a costume box somewhere in your home. Get ready to increase your storage.
Perhaps it's your first summer here, and your box is more of a plastic bag with three strands of Mardi Gras beads. Maybe it's your 53rd summer, and you're still trying to stuff tutus into the little storage space you have while finding a place for years of Mardi Gras throws and doubloon collecting. Either way, come as you are . . . we welcome you to the 2023 Red Dress Run!!
This red flash event is held by the New Orleans Hash House Harriers ("the drinking club with a running problem") on the 2nd Saturday of every August. As the name implies, the infamous event is an athletic race that starts at 9 a.m. on August 12 in Crescent Park (2300 N Peters St, New Orleans, LA 70117) and continues throughout the French Quarter. Now it's not completely crucial to sport a red dress—you could search through that over-or-under-stuffed costume box. But if you want to be among the top fashionistas of this year's race, you'll start the perfect red dress hunt today.
Here's 10 clothing, costume, and thrift stores selling your chic, scandalous, or downright silly outfit for the 2023 Red Dress Run.
10 Best Places to Shop for the Red Dress Run
1. Trashy Diva
Multiple Locations
2. Swoon
130 Harrison Ave.
(504) 516-2770
https://swoonboutiquenola.com/
Searching for a trendy dress that can be worn after the run, too? Stop by Swoon, a women's boutique selling all the latest styles. With the purchase of a red dress from Swoon, you can support up-and-coming fashion designers or buy something vintage from tried and true brand. The biggest challenge will be keeping your new dress sweat and spill free.
3. Out of the Closet
2900 Magazine St.
(504) 208-4100
Want to channel 2000s prom night or a retro girls' night out? At Out of the Closet, you can find cheap, cute clothing all while supporting a good cause. Bring some clothes to donate while you search for a secondhand dress — shopping or donating at Out of the Closet directly benefits HIV/AIDS research and advocacy, as 96 cents from each dollar spent goes to HIV care and services provided by AIDS Healthcare Foundation. Support HIV/AIDS healthcare in New Orleans while finding the perfect outfit for the Red Dress Run.
4. Goodwill
Multiple Locations
Goodwill has and always will be the place to go for cheap clothing. You can find red costume pieces, a red gown, or even a sparkly red skirt at your nearest location. You'll feel good in your new red outfit and in your spending — supporting Goodwill helps provide resources, education, and employment for those in need. The options are endless for red dress running at Goodwill.
5. Bdffrnt Vintage
1629 St. Charles Ave.
(504) 702-8070
https://www.facebook.com/people/Bdffrnt/100063280477122/
If you're looking for something retro and stylish for the Red Dress Run, bdffrnt Vintage is the place to go. Here, you can find 70s, 80s, and 90s clothing to make your red look a blast from the past. This vintage gem also sells trinkets, jewelry, hats, and more in a welcoming, bright, revamped house. With a new red outfit from bdffrnt, you'll surely be different on the red dress runway.
6. Funky Monkey
3127 Magazine St.
(504) 899-5587
https://www.funkymonkeynola.com/
At Funky Monkey, you can shop all things red spanning different decades and various styles. This go-to Uptown thrift shop is great for costume shopping, so you can shop for all NOLA festivities year-round at Funky Monkey. But today, we're focusing on the Red Dress Run. From fun red socks to vintage dresses, you can find a unique piece that will stand out among the sea of red at the run.
7. Head to Toe
816 Decatur St.
(504) 528-9000
Looking for a last minute dress while in the French Quarter? Just a few steps off of Jackson Square is Head to Toe, a vintage store selling charming men's and women's items. Stop by Head to Toe to find not only a selection of vibrant, vintage dresses but also equally chic red apparel for those who don't want to wear a dress. Ensure that you're the best-dressed runner by shopping at Head to Toe.
8. Buffalo Exchange
4119 Magazine St.
(504) 891-7443
https://buffaloexchange.com/location/magazine-st-new-orleans/
Searching for something both unique and trendy? Buffalo Exchange has you covered. From fun, fashionable red pieces and vibrant accessories, you can find your whole outfit or the finishing touch at Buffalo Exchange. Best of all, this cool clothing chain has great customer service who will help you find something both stylish and functionable for the Red Dress Run.
9. Lucy Rose
Multiple Locations
At Lucy Rose, you'll find something comfy, cute, and chic for the Red Dress Run. This clothing store owned and operated by two sisters sells the latest styles in red. You may get distracted by the array of colors, patterns, and materials, but keep your eyes on the prize. The red options at Lucy Rose are sure to last in style and in quality.
10. Miss Claudia's Vintage Clothing & Costumes
4204 Magazine St.
(504) 897-6310
https://www.facebook.com/missclaudiasvintage/
Filled with funky and budget-friendly vintage finds, this small, quaint Uptown store is the epitome of Magazine Street shopping. Here, you can find second-hand costume pieces and funky accessories. This shop is flooded with vibrant colors, but red accessories, dresses, and more are bound to catch your eye. Miss Claudia's is your Red Dress Run one-stop shop.
Top Shops Selling Red Dress Run Outfits
Take part in one of the most fun and funniest events in New Orleans Tradition by non-competitively running in the 2023 Red Dress Run. With these fashionable stores, the options are endless to find comfortable, eye-catching red regalia.
Want to find more costume pieces to elevate your look? Here's New Orleans' 10 best costume shops.
