
Making Your Own Cajun Mardi Gras Outfit: Everything You Need To Know
Louisiana's Mardi Gras celebrations vary from place to place, much like gumbo! While Lake Charles hosts royal balls and Shreveport hosts family-friendly parades, New Orleans is renowned for its extravagant festivities and floats in the French Quarter.
Then there's the Cajun Mardi Gras, or Courir de Mardi Gras, in central Louisiana.
Originating in medieval France, the Courir de Mardi Gras celebrations culminate in a party on Fat Tuesday. The capitaine leads the traditional courir, which is French for "run," and is followed by participants in costumes and masks who are either on foot, in a trailer, or on horseback. The highlight of their journey is the chicken that is hunted and caught, and they sing and dance as they gather ingredients for a shared gumbo.
Getting involved? Make your own courir costume using these steps! Here is just one example of the many different designs and styles. Pro Travel: Put on scrubs or some other type of slacks and top to start. For added warmth on the day of the event, it's a good idea to wear long sleeves underneath your short-sleeved scrubs. Due to Louisiana's unpredictable weather, Mardi Gras day could be either hot or cold!
Step 1
Get your fabric scraps ready. You can choose to use a single design or a range of colors, but the more bizarre the better, and have fun! Cut the cloth 8 to 12 inches wide. Depending on where it will be worn (around the legs, chest, sleeve, etc.), it may vary in length. To achieve the fringe appearance, cut 1-inch-wide strips into the fabric, leaving one edge uncut. Pro Tip: Fraying can be minimized by using pinking shears.
Step 2
You can start sewing as soon as your fabric is cut. Measure the length of the fringed fabric strips required for each costume component. To allow the fringe to fly free, sew along the upper edge.
Step 3
Create a capuchon, a tall, pointed hat, by shaping a piece of poster board into a cone. Make sure it fits around the top of your head, then seal the form with a staple. For a chin strap, hot glue ribbon or elastic and trim the bottom to a consistent flat edge. Any remaining strips or pieces of fabric should be hot-glued up and around the hat until all of the paper is covered.
Step 4
Remember to wear your mask! In Eunice, they are offered for sale at several locations. Wear the outfit with comfortable walking boots! You are now prepared to run!
The Courir de Mardi Gras is a brilliant illustration of Louisiana's Mardi Gras custom, which is a celebration of culture, history, and sheer joy. Whether you're dancing to Cajun music, chasing a chicken, or making a vibrant costume, this special celebration unites communities in the most genuine way. Don your capuchon, sew up some fringe, and gather your scraps because Mardi Gras is more than just a festival in Louisiana; it's a way of life.
Laissez les bons temps rouler, as we say, is to let the good times roll!
Favorite Dishes Cajuns Love to Cook In Cold Weather
Gallery Credit: Mike Soileau
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