I travel to New Orleans multiple times a year and always look forward to the palpable joy that fills every corner come carnival season. During Mardi Gras, the city streets are aglow with purple, green, and gold, bakers receive king cake orders, and the stunning sequined suits and dyed ostrich plumes of the Black Masking Indians prepare to take center stage. This tradition is often portrayed as a bead-fueled debaucherous affair, but there is so much more to Mardi Gras. The craftsmanship of the krewes’ elaborate costumes and parade floats reflect the true artistry and cultural pride of the city. There’s nothing like securing your spot on St. Charles Avenue to take in the festivities alongside others. Best of all, it’s free and very inclusive. 

In preparation for Mardi Gras, I’ve learned it’s always best to check the temperature before packing, as it often fluctuates and may even rain this time of year. Being comfortably dressed to navigate crowds is key too. Pack items like comfortable walking shoes, layers for chillier evenings, and, of course, purple, green, and gold apparel to match the Mardi Gras theme. No matter how you plan to spend your Mardi Gras trip, you’ll leave New Orleans feeling inspired by the city’s commitment to come together during this time of year. Below, find my Mardi Gras packing essentials for a comfortable, fun, and memorable experience.

Alo Yoga High-waist Airbrush Legging

Weaving your way through lively crowds all day requires ease of movement, and nothing delivers like my tried and true high-waist leggings from Alo Yoga. The smoothing, sculpting design makes it easy to keep up in any parade without feeling weighed down, and the high-waist design ensures they don’t slip down. They’re also moisture-wicking and odor-resistant — perfect to combat the heat. I like to pair them with the Alo Yoga Cropped All Day Short Sleeve Shirt, which is made from a breathable soft jersey fabric. 

Feob Mini Portable Charger

There’s nothing worse than wanting to record a special moment and that dreaded low battery signal appears on your phone. I’ve learned the hard way and missed capturing too many moments to leave my hotel room without a portable charger. This option from Feob is especially handy because of its compact size that doesn’t take up too much space in my bag. An LCD display screen shows how much power the charger has left; it’ll charge most phones in 1 to 2 hours. 

Hoka Women’s Clifton Shoe

There’s nothing worse than wearing a poorly constructed shoe, particularly when you’re facing a long walking day. Before I discovered Hoka, I suffered in silence in sneakers that may have looked cute but provided little support. Instead, the award-winning Hoka Clifton shoe has debuted in its ninth iteration, with a lighter feel and more cushion for protection. Grab it in a variety of colors, including this aqua hue on sale for $116, or the Mardi Gras-ready mint and lilac option.

Madewell Curvy Perfect Vintage Wide-leg Jean

A good pair of jeans is a staple for any event. These wide-leg crop Madewell jeans can do no wrong in my eyes for a number of reasons, especially how well they fit curvy figures. Made from stretch denim with a little extra room at the hips, these jeans deliver comfort and are easy to move in, without being loose or baggy. On chillier Mardi Gras nights, these are a must-have item to pair with a lightweight sweater.

Angie Crop Wide-leg Pant 

Another winner in the category of comfortable pants worth packing is this pair of dreamy Angie Crop Wide-leg Pants from Splendid. The stretchy waist and roped drawstring allow you to adjust the fit so you won’t feel restricted. The style hits above the ankle, with a comfortable wide-leg silhouette that you’ll want to wear daily. Choose from 11 colors, including Mardi Gras-appropriate lilac or olive.

Everlane Cocoon Crew in Plush Cotton

If you’re on the hunt for a lightweight top layer for when the sun goes down, consider Everlane’s Cocoon Crew. The slouchy crewneck and drop shoulders ensure a comfortable fit as you weave your way through crowds on cooler evenings. Made from 100 percent organic cotton, you won’t overheat around a lot of people either, and the material will feel soft against your skin.

Vantamo Crossbody Bag

Being mindful of crowds at any festival is important, and Mardi Gras is no different. Keep belongings close to you with this Vantamo Crossbody Bag, which features RFID-blocking technology to protect your credit cards, plus an anti-pickpocket clip. Functional and stylish, this crossbody is made from vegan leather and is available in six colors. This year, I’ll be packing my must-carry items in the bag, including the compact, lightweight Camp Snap digital camera to capture photos of the culture-filled traditions that take over New Orleans during this time of year. (When I get back home, I’ll commemorate my memories on Popsa, a site that can digitize and print hardback photo albums of your best travel moments.)

Two Thirds Salt Dress

I’m a big fan of Two Thirds, a sustainable clothing brand that makes stylish looks perfect for travel. This cute wraparound dress is made from eco-responsible viscose and features capped sleeves and a section that ties at the waist for a casual yet elevated look to transition from day to night. When I’m tired of Mardi Gras partying and want to enjoy some of my favorite New Orleans restaurants like Lil Dizzy’s Cafe and Mamou, I reach for this outfit. The side zipper makes it easy to slip into, and you can dress it up or down with boots or flats. 

Princess Polly Headliner Shimmer Top

Mardi Gras is all about the sparkle. Lean into shiny sequins, glitter, and other accessories to dazzle up your evening on Bourbon Street and beyond. This shimmer top from Princess Polly offers all the bling for a night out and the purple color keeps you on theme. I’m a big fan of this brand for affordable party clothes perfect for travel, but I turn to it even more so during Mardi Gras. The V-neckline on this top is one of my favorite cuts, and I like to pair it with bootcut jeans or stretchy black pants. And, because it’s Mardi Gras, pair it with a glitzy masquerade mask too.

Offline by Aerie Cloud Fleece Jogger 

After all that celebrating, there is nothing you will want more in your luggage than a pair of comfortable sweats. Aerie’s aptly named Cloud Fleece Joggers are so soft and comfortable, perfect for a day resting in the hotel or for a low-key activity paired with the matching Cloud Fleece Snap Front Hoodie. On warmer days, I’m also a big fan of Aerie’s You Serve Pleated Dress, which features very convenient built-in shorts to store items like your phone and hotel room key (and it’s available in a festive lavender). And since Mardi Gras is also about coquettish attire, Aerie’s Show Off Lace Top is what ruche and floral dreams are made of, especially for a fun night out. 

Quince Rain Boot 

I consider Quince to be one of the most functional, cost-effective brands out there, particularly when it comes to travel clothing. There’s very little I can’t find on their website, which is why I was so excited to discover that they also sell rain boots. New Orleans can get on-and-off showers during Mardi Gras, so an efficient pair of waterproof shoes is great to have. Made with natural rubber that will keep water out, these boots eliminate the risk of soggy socks. Stretch side panels and dual pull tabs make it easy to slide them on and off. 

Vuori Pfeiffer Rain Jacket 

Continuing with smart rain gear options, this new Vuori jacket is not only super stylish, it’s also highly functional. It offers pockets you can access from the exterior and interior, plus a cinch waist to get the perfect fit and a back stash pocket to hold extra essentials. It’ll be the most versatile layer you’ll pack, especially since it’ll go with all of your outfits. 

Ciele Athletics Trn Short 

Because of the unpredictable March weather in New Orleans, packing a pair of shorts is probably a good idea. This pair of Ciele Athletics shorts are perfect if warmer weather is in the forecast; they offer benefits like stretchy material for comfort, a hidden internal pocket to keep your valuables safe, and an internal lining that is moisture-wicking and odor-repellent. What I particularly love about these shorts is their high waist design that prevents any slippage; plus, it has the lightweight feel that Ciele’s athletic-friendly products are known for.

Calpak Insulated Lunch Bag 

For long days of parading and second lining (a New Orleans tradition of essentially dancing behind the bands), having some food and water with you can be a saving grace. This Calpak Insulated Lunch Bag makes it easy to store water and snacks in an insulated compartment, whether hot or cold. A water-resistant interior also protects against spills, and you can store utensils and napkins in multiple exterior pockets. Along the parade route, there are tons of food stands and restaurants, and you’ll be glad to have this bag to store any leftovers. I don’t leave my hotel without this bag, typically filled with Revive Collagen packets and a water bottle so that my skin doesn’t suffer from all the cocktails and bacchanalia. 

Dionis Goat Milk Sole Keeper Foot Cream

Even if I’m wearing the most comfortable shoes, I always pack this Sole Keeper Foot Cream from Dionis. Our feet can be the most neglected part of our body and go through so much wear and tear, particularly when during all-day events like Mardi Gras. The intense hydration from this foot cream comes from goat milk that’s super nourishing and alleviates the pain of cracked heels and calluses. Dionis is a cruelty-free brand that offers high-quality, affordable skincare products made with the moisturizing benefits of goat milk.

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