Themes add a fun twist to parties, and unexpected ones are sometimes the most entertaining. Unfortunately, they can also put you in a quandary about what to wear. If the party has a Louisiana bayou theme and festive attire is required, you have a lot of options for costumes and accessories. If not listed on the invitation, always check with the host or hostess to find out whether or not full costume is required, and then let your imagination run wild.
Halloween Party
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A bayou-themed Halloween party will nearly always be an event for an all-out costume. Women might dress as a voodoo priestess by wearing a regal, form-fitting gown with a headscarf and accessories full of fake skulls. Men can play the voodoo priest by carrying similar accessories and wearing a dreadlock wig. One whimsical idea is to dress in a full bodysuit, use face paint to draw an X around each eye and attach fake pins on you to play the voodoo doll. Or dress as a swamp thing in all green with green and brown pieces covering your outfit.
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If the Halloween party has an on-the-bayou theme that is more bubba than bloodcurdling, dress in your favorite bayou-living attire such as head-to-toe camouflage with fake hunting gear and maybe one or two blacked-out teeth. You might choose instead to go as an actual creature from the bayou by dressing as an alligator or crawfish.
Mardis Gras Party
Some bayou theme parties take place around Mardis Gras, which calls for a slightly grander costume. Kings, queens, and jesters in bright harlequin, multi-colored outfits are all welcome at this type of party. Wear your most festive mask with feathers and glitter to decorate. Multiple strands of colored beads are another Mardis Gras on the bayou favorite.
Black Tie Affair
Occasionally, the on-the-bayou party can be a black tie affair, which rules out casual alligator and voodoo doll costumes. When the recommended attire on the bayou-themed invitation says something like "festive black tie" or "creative black tie," it might be appropriate to spice up your tuxedo or full-length gown with whimsical Mardi Gras-like accessories like masks, kingly scepters, feather boas and headdresses.