One of the biggest and most beloved events of the year, Mardi Gras is synonymous with colour and creativity. A night of dancing, music, magic, entertainment, cheer, colour, and non-stop celebration, it’s a festival that's as fun and fantastical as it is culturally significant.

Take the opportunity to throw convention out the window and unveil your true self to the world — going all out it isn’t just accepted, it’s actively encouraged! It’s a chance to step outside your comfort zone, experiment, and have some fun.

Whether you’re at the parade, dancing in a club, or staying in for a quiet celebration with friends, wear what makes you happy! However, if you're short on inspiration and need new ideas, our Mardi Gras fashion guide is here to help.

Embrace the rainbow

With the rainbow a symbol of the vibrant diversity that is the LGBTQIA+ community, you can expect the streets to be full of people donning vibrant, multi-coloured hues. Dressing in the colours of the rainbow isn’t just stylish; it’s an important and effective way to show your support. There’s no set way to dress, and you can choose between focusing on one colour or embracing them all! For simplicity, we recommend a rainbow-coloured dress, jumpsuit, or tie dye shirt and shorts combo. Get creative and incorporate colour into other pieces of clothing, such as your shoes, bag, or jewellery (just to name a few!) Check out the range at H&M, David Jones and Lovisa for some bright, colourful pieces we love.

Product featured: Roeqiyas Realm Tiered Dress With Neck Frill $899 RRP (Camilla)

Image sourced: Pinterest @nooworksme

Shine and sparkle

Nothing captures the glitz and glamour of Mardi Gras like a bright, sparkly outfit. If you want to shine bright like a disco ball and cement your status as a style maven, we recommend choosing sequins and pieces with metallic elements that catch and reflect the light with your every movement. If you’re feeling particularly fancy, you can even wear a sequinned suit or formal dress, but remember to dress according to your plans if you're going to be on the move all night. Where possible, try and incorporate colour into your look, plus don’t forget to accessorise and add glitter and rhinestones. For all things shiny and sparkly, check out the range at General Pants and Edge.

Product featured: Sequin High Neck Top $69.99 RRP (H&M)

Product featured: Luck & Trouble Bubble Light Sequin Mini Skirt Purple $60 RRP (Universal Store)

Subtly slay

For those who prefer things a little more understated, you can still slay without stepping too far outside your comfort zone. Start with something you’re comfortable in and add flair with accessories. We love the look of a plain black top paired with a sequinned skirt or shorts to create a striking look that's still incredibly wearable. Get creative with bold jewellery, socks, belt bags, or sunglasses to add glamour, or amp up your look with colourful makeup choices, like a cobalt blue eyeliner or a gorgeous glittering eyeshadow. For the perfect accessories, check out the range at Sunglass Hut and David Jones.

Products featured (L-R): Colour Excess Gel Pencil Eye Liner Perpetual Shock $47 RRP (MAC Cosmetics), Everywhere Belt Bag 1L Knit Nylon $79 RRP (Lululemon)

Fancy dress

From firefighters and cowboys to princesses and peacocks, you can be whatever you want to be at Mardi Gras. For some, it’s one of the most extravagant fancy dress events of the year (that's even more important than Halloween!) and there’s no reason to hold back. Try convincing your friends or partner to dress up with you — it’s great to have a partner in crime, plus it makes them that much easier to spot in a crowd! Hot tip: the best costumes are always well accessorised so don’t forget to add rings, props, hats, and necklaces. For the best fancy dress ranges, visit Kmart, Target, and Big W.

Image sourced: Pinterest @travelerbroads

Image Sourced: Pinterest @opposuits