How to Pick Mardi Gras Jewelry

Mardi Gras is a festival that celebrates excess like nowhere else in the world. People wear eccentric costumes and pile on beads and costume jewelry. Traditional Mardi Gras colors include purple, green and gold, but anything goes in the Big Easy. The great thing about Mardi Gras is you can wear mismatched jewelry and still be in style.

Difficulty: Easy

Instructions

Things You'll Need:

• Tote bag

Pick out Suitable Mardi Gras Jewelry

1. Pick novelty earrings featuring signature Mardi Gras trinkets, such as king cake babies, crowns and tiaras and carnival masks.

2. Select bracelets made of purple, green and gold beads or go for gold bangles and colored-wood bracelets.

3. Get in the party mood with a blinking Mardi Gras necklace. Pick up flashing specialty beads or grab a free promotional necklace from one of the liquor companies marketing new products.

4. Choose stickpins and brooches in rhinestone. Get the royal look for less with rhinestone tiaras and scepters.

5. Adorn yourself with a fleur-de-lis medallion. Keep in mind that this symbol of French royalty and the city of New Orleans is something you can wear long after Mardi Gras is over.

Get Mardi Gras Beads

6. Shout out, "Throw me something, Mister" to riders on parade floats and people on the balconies.

7. Hit St. Charles Avenue, Jackson Avenue and Third Street in the Garden District for the best access to Mardi Gras parade floats.

8. Bargain for beads, but don't let it get out of hand. Always obey the laws and make sure to avoid confrontation with other revelers.

9. Scoop up beads using a fishnet. Be sure to decorate the fishnet, so that it looks like a part of your costume. Otherwise you may just appear greedy.

10. Store your beads in a tote bag. Float riders are more likely to give beads to people who don't appear have many than to those with tons of beads in sight.

Tips & Warnings

• Try to make eye contact with the float riders. It increases your chances of getting "throws."
• While in New Orleans, stop by the legendary Cafe Du Monde for French coffee and beignets.
• Don't wear fancy jewelry or wristwatches on the streets of the French Quarter. Pickpockets are always on the lookout for vulnerable tourists.
• Don't call out for beads when floats are stopped. It's just not done.