Mardi Gras Luncheon Lewks: 6 Pieces We Love

Perhaps we should have warned you in last week's post, but until Fat Tuesday, the Journal is essentially a Mardi Gras blog. Which, whether or not you live in a city that celebrates Carnival season, we hope makes you as happy as it does us. While in many ways Carnival season lives up to its reputation as a festival of gluttony, excess and maybe even a lil' sinnin' (if that's what you are into — we listen and we don't judge), at its heart, the revelry is really about community, joy and the joy of community. Gathering with your people, dancing in the streets, chatting up strangers at the parades and, sooner rather than later, hanging out with those strangers who are fast-become friends is absolutely the reason for the season. Also, Mardi Gras luncheons. 

'Ladies' <wink wink> Who Lunch 

Melanie here: One of my favorite aspects of the season is Mardi Gras luncheons. These lavish lunches are held by both parading krewes and individual friend groups alike and are festive, sometimes rowdy and always fun. Women don their sparkliest outfits, headdresses, glitter and any and all adornment to lunch like everyone is watching! From Commander's Palace in the Lower Garden District to Galatoire's in the French Quarter and every place in between, all the ladies are lunching and, frankly, having an absolute ball doing it. 

As an example (and at the risk of this being the Melanie's face show), here's a peep at a couple of my past Mardi Gras luncheon looks, featuring an extremely rare departure from my signature all black ensembles:

The first two photos feature (left) my favorite Showgirl Tinsel Jacket (in rose gold) from Fringe + Co., (middle) my husband's Fleur de Lis Cufflinks from Mignon Faget and a rose gold clutch from Feet First, and (right) a fun purple, green and gold sequined scarf from Fleurty Girl. Not pictured: My fabulous purple sparkly ankle booties by Betsy Johnson, which I'm mentioning, because it'll be relevant in a minute!

Fit: Carnivale Femme Fetale

With the above in mind, I've curated a luncheon look for this year with pieces scouted from some of my favorite women-owned New Orleans boutiques. I love to mix high-and-low, so you'll find pieces here that run from under $20 to over $1,000. Whatever your budget, there's always a way to find something similar, or better yet, make it yourself! Let's lunch!

Just a Peek

The Palmer Top from Monomin features ribbed and rouched fabric with an asymmetrical side slit showing just a hint of skin. I love that it's minimalist, but with a lot of design interest. Something the shop is known for. 

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Skirting Around the Subject

This pencil skirt came to party. The Josephine Skirt from Lucy Rose is tailored for the office, but bedecked for boogying down. FYI, the sister owners at Lucy Rose have curated an entire collection of Mardi Gras Luncheon Looks, for your convenience. Such givers they are!

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These Boots are Made for Walking (and Dancing)

I would wear my aforementioned Betsy Johnson boots with this outfit, but I found a similar pair, Chinese Laundry's Diya booties, at Feet First, one of my favorite places in New Orleans to buy shoes. Huzzah!

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All Hail, The Queen

Our Maison Mariann Be a Queen Diamond Crown Necklace is fit for royalty and you are a queen, so drape yourself in sparkle accordingly. And with 1/5 carat total weight in natural diamonds, you will sparkle, Queen.  

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Pom Pom and Circumstance

Fun Mardi Gras earrings are must all season long and the Tinsel Hoop Earrings in Black and Gold from Fleurty Girl will get the job done from Twelfth Night to Fat Tuesday. Bonus: Saints fans can level up game day looks with these little cuties. 

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Crowning Glory

Top it off with the Gold Crown headpiece by Ellen Macomber, because you reign supreme. Do you need earrings if you wear this? No. But it's Mardi Gras and even for this minimalist girly, this time of year, more is more!

🎶 Shimmy and Shake 🎶

At the expense of making this post even longer, we couldn't talk about Mardi Gras or festive luncheons without sharing a playlist. Cue up our New Year, New Groove compilation packed with songs that energize and inspire.  

As always, thanks for lending us your eyeballs and ears for a few minutes. Happy Carnival season, happy shopping and happy everything else, until next time!

Cheers!