Carnival planning, especially for Trinidad Carnival, can be one of the most extensive planning you will take part in during your travels. During your planning, you’ll take care of your flights and accommodations like any other trip but it will also start to get crazy with all the fetes, activities, costumes, scheduling and everything that goes with them. And with all this carnival planning we must not forget about the carnival packing we all must complete.
If you’re a carnival veteran I’m sure you already have all the things to make your carnival experience run smoothly. You have your routine down pat, your carnival shopping done and have already mastered your carnival packing down to a game of Tetris, one luggage one carry on bag. Right? If you’re a carnival newbie you may need a little more help on carnival fashion and carnival packing. Don’t worry, keep reading on, this is especially for you first-timers. Let’s get into this carnival shopping and carnival packing guide.
By now you’ve got your fitness routine down. You’ve locked in your band, section, hotel, flights and most if not all your fetes. You’ve got all your favorite soca mixes on repeat. The only thing left includes last-minute shopping if any and to packing it all up to go. Yessss, I know in real life most of us won’t actually pack until 1-2 days before but who says we can’t be prepared. Newbie or veteran, hopefully, you’re not like me and waited to 3 or 4 weeks before carnival to start shopping and prepping for carnival. You can enjoy my quick packing overview but if you are like me and procrastinated, my extended guide for where to shop, carnival packing and a printable checklist to have handy is a resource worth bookmarking. I’ve linked some great places to help you find fete fashion, accessory must-have and a few other needed carnival extras to have on hand. Best yet, to help you get ready and prep, I’ve compiled an extensive list of everything you will or could need to have a stress free carnival experience. This list isn’t just for newbies but great for all masqueraders. Grab your copy of my ultimate carnival packing checklist below, ensure you forget nothing.
Before you leave
I know, I know…we’re here to talk about fetes and fashion but first thing first…get all your documents in order! Know where your passport/visa/IDs are hiding. Complete any last-minute payments necessary. Call your cell phone company. Notify your bank of your travel. Save copies of your travel insurance. Have hard copies or screengrabs of all your fete tickets and receipts. If the hard copy gets lost you’ll at least have digital copies ready. If the Wi-Fi is down or jammed with all the thousands of people in town you’ll have screengrabs ready. Last, confirm all reservations and driver pickup time.
Clothing
Now to the good stuff, where to get all your carnival fashion necessities. The carnival experience consists of a fete or two or maybe even three a day before j’ouvert and pretty mas. Fetes include cooler fetes which are generally more casual, breakfast, themed or premium all-inclusive fetes tend to be a bit more dressy, boat/beach or any other water fete are swimwear casual. When shopping I look for resort, summer or beachwear items that are chic and colorful. Most importantly looking for pieces that are both movable and breathable because between the heat, dancing and drinking comfort is key. Creating effortlessly chic camera-ready beauty that will stand up against the heat and dancing. If you need a little inspiration check out Pinterest, hashtags or visit the event page past events.
PS: don’t forget your cooler for your cooler fetes
Women's Carnival Fashion
Agaci
Akira
Amazon
AMI Clubwear
AQ/AQ
ASOS
Bebe
Boohoo
Chanel Moore
Diva Boutique
Fashion Nova
Femme Luxe
Forever21
H&M
House of CB
Jollychic
Lulu’s
Miss Lola
Missguided
Nastygal
Oh Polly
Petal & Pup
Pretty Little Thing
Rebdolls
Revolve
Rue107
She (the collection)
Shein
Showpo
Tobi
Topshop
Zara
Men's Carnival Fashion
ASOS
Banana Republic
Chubbies
COS
Express
Gap
Guess
J.Crew
Lucky Brand
Old Navy
Revolve
Romwe
Topman
Uniqlo
Shoes
ALDO
Amazon
Berrylook
DSW
Egoshoes
Lulu’s
Zappos
Swimwear
Alexis Goods
Allure
Andrea Iyamah
Angella Phillips
Ashanti
Asherah
Asos
Aude
Belle Journees
Bema Republic
Bfyne
Brown Label
By Chanbett
ChamNJay
Chandra Maharaj
Chanel Moore
Coco Knel
Color Swim
deepEND
hoo-ha
Icon Swim
Infinite style
Ishine36
Jae Jolly
Kaoh’s Swim
Marie Collette
Matte collection
MBM
Mint Swim
Ofuure
Rebel Swim
Rhion Rhomany Swim
Riot Swim
Streetluxe
Swim Trill
The Bikini Series TT
The Diva Kurve Collection
Trish atelier
veeChic designs
Xyzen
Zaful
J'ouvert (or alternative)
One of my favorite events during carnival season. J’ouvert or alternatives are dirty fetes so outfits that can endure paint, powder, mud or even oil are my top choices. Normally throwaways items like shorts, old tanks or cut up t-shirts are my go too but J’ouvert fashion can be cute or sexy too. Many donning styled up swimwear, combat boats and other cut pieces. Paired with inexpensive wigs or head wraps to protect your hair and bandanas or mask to cover your face.
Dolls kill
Five Below
I Heart Raves
di Road
We ready for di roadddd! But are you really? Remember just because you have your costume doesn’t mean you’re ready to get in your section. If you’re hitting up a two-day carnival you’ll need to be road-ready for pretty mas and casual road day. There are a few items that most people need to truly be road-ready.
Monday Wear
I know some think Carnival Monday is something new but in reality, it’s not. Over the years carnival Monday has received an upgrade. Evolving from a day of casual or simple wear to full-on glam, glitz and high fashion. With everything in between.
Monday allows you to get creative by designing your outfit or leaving to design to someone else and buy from a Monday wear collection or store.
ASOS
Bikini Cove
Chandra Maharaj
Chez zen mas
Chloe Joseph
Christian Boucaud
Curvy goddess by Cher
DeCoteau Deigns
Etsy
Ginger Wire
Himaya by Nadia Batson
Honamic Designs
J’fab body
Kalene Garcia-Gosyne
Ksvits Lalla
Laura Narayansingh
Marie Collette
Misim Beach Babe
Mondiva by J.Angelique
Nicholas Oliver
Nigelsocrazy
Nisha Felice
OMNI
PatBO
Rebel
Rhion Romany
Ryan chan
Seatra
ShanYvo Designs
Sherise Stewart
Shop Evolve
SJW designs
Steffan Lorenzo
Ts_the label
Vapzz by Kai
Vivre by Chelsea
Wire Glam
Carnival Stockings
Stockings during carnival elevate any costume look. Pulling any look together and keeps everything in place. Stockings can be worn for any event from j’ouvert to mas.
Carnivalista
Fete Dolls
Matched for Me
Micles
The Carnival Depot
Shoes
I love sparkly sneakers for the road because I get both the cute and comfort handled. Some jumpers like boats and others wedges or heel. What’s your shoe style for the road?
Amazon
Carnival Kicks
My Carnival Boots
*Size up one size in case of socks, shallow, walking, dancing
Accessories
When playing mas you can be on the road for anywhere from 5hrs+. You want to make sure you’ll have as much as you’ll need.
Some accessories you may need include phone case/pouch, small bag, inexpensive shades, fan, pasties, insoles, battery bank, sanitizer, chafing gel, earplugs, and snacks.
Amazon
Carnivalista
KayC’s Kloset
Micles
Sunglass Spot
Now we’re almost at the end of the carnival packing segment of your carnival planning to-do. I hope you feel prepared for your carnival experience.
Want your own copy of the checklist? Guess what, I got you covered. Grab your free copy of the ultimate carnival packing checklist. Download it here.
Did I miss something? Drop a comment below and let us know.
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