Mardi Gras Madness

A Mardi Gras look from years past, wearing my mom's vintage leather coat.
In addition to having a World Champion baseball team and hosting the late Alexander McQueen's special exhibit "A QueenWithin," St. Louis is home to the 2nd largest Mardi Gras celebration in the country, rivaled only by the New Orleans' festivities. Despite frigid temps, every year scores of locals and out-of-towners head down to Soulard for beads, hurricanes, floats, the occasional "flash" (use your imagination), more hurricanes, and tasty eats. In my wilder days (OK, fine, last year), I was part of the minions, hopelessly trying to locate random intersections to connect with friends, who of course could not hear their cell phones - not that I could hear mine, or trying to sneak into that gloriously warm house party hosted by a friend-of-a-friend-of-a-friend. In a strange way, it's always kinda fun! If you're braving the insanity this year, here's some style advice from a native:

1. Layers, layers, layers. It will be cold, and you'll be outside for hours. Gulping hurricanes may make you giggle, but will not warm you up. Trust me. My foolproof tactic to avoid shivers? Tights or leggings underneath jeans, hurricanes optional.
2. No heels or overly nice shoes. Mardi Gras involves a ton of walking, and this is a rare time where I'd advise you to put "comfort" near the top of your shoe criteria. Intoxicated revelers + outdoor food = disgusting pavement.
3. Don't forget gloves and a hat, but enough stacked beads can double for a scarf.
4. Go all out. You'll have a large and forgiving audience for your outfit, so if you've got a costume-y hat or day-glow feather boa, wear it!

Ruby's not quite ready for Mardi Gras, so we won't be going this year. What about you - what are you going to wear? Here's what I would wear underneath my coat:
Mardi Gras Outfit




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2 comments:

  1. Unknown2/28/14, 9:45 PM

    All great ideas to keep warm....cute pieces as well!

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    Replies
    1. The Ruby Zipper2/28/14, 11:14 PM

      Thanks, Missy! I hope you have fun if you go this weekend!

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