The story behind the infamous masks, shown in almost all Mardi Gras coverage, goes back centuries to a time when masquerade balls were all the rage. The lower class, and sometimes even the upper class, began wearing masks to hide their identities. Eventually the parties moved to the street and the wearing of masks continued to be a special part of the festivities, allowing even celebrities to join in the fun of the events without revealing their true identities.

Plan to wear a mask during your visit, especially if you plan to attend only on Fat Tuesday. If you want to make it yourself, decorate it with brilliant colored feathers, sequins, beads, and glitter. Make it out of plastic, plaster or leather or just wear a covering over your eyes. Be passionate about it and make people wonder who the stranger is behind the mask. If you feel unable to craft a suitable mask, purchase one from a costume shop or have one special ordered. Have fun being unknown on Bourbon Street!

Costumes are a fantastic way to blend with the crowd and they can also be purchased from costume shops, party stores or the Internet. Many dress as if they are part of the old New Orleans and are attending a fancy ball. Elaborate gowns made of velvet and dapper suits for a gentleman, complete with the white wig and cane, are both available and can cost $200 or more if purchased new. Jester and clown costumes are also prominently featured and can be fun or evil, and extremely colorful or black and white.

The French Quarter, also known as the adult section of New Orleans, tells promiscuous stories of rakish men and loose women. These stories provide interesting costumes which reveal more skin than fabric and more sequins than velvet. Women dress as sexy queens or ladies of the night and men dress as pirates or pimps.

Feather boas, high heels, beads, wigs, jester hats, and funny sunglasses are cheap, easy options to find and wear if dressing in full costume is not for you. Some people dress in a costume of their choice which may have nothing to do with Mardi Gras but are still big and bold. Think pink flamingoes and beer kegs or walking lobsters and peacocks. The important thing is to have fun during your visit and let the good times roll!

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The newest Halloween costume sure to be seen this year is “The Wall Street Protester”. This costume is easy to put together using things most people may already have. A flannel shirt, jeans, hiking boots, and a home-made poster will accomplish the look.

Dressing up as Anthony Wiener will surely stir up controversy. Anthony Wiener is the former U.S. Representative from New York who garnered a huge amount of media attention when his sexting scandal was brought to light forcing his resignation from Congress. Costume stores are actually selling Anthony Wiener masks. This outfit could easily be completed by the addition of a suit or simply by wearing a white towel which is what Wiener was wearing when he photographed himself with his iphone and forwarded the pic to his lover.

Another highly controversial costume for 2011 is the “Dead Osama Bin Laden” costume. This costume can be purchased online and in select costume stores and consists of a full Osama Bin Laden costume, complete with mask. An eye patch should also be worn for an accurate depiction. For a funny twist, a snorkel can be added to explain how Osama escaped his watery fate.

The recent passing of Steve Jobs is sure to inspire a costume this year. All you need to accomplish this look is Steve’s trademark look of jeans, a black turtleneck, and new balance 991 sneakers. To push this costume over the line into repulsive territory, add zombie make-up.

Troy Davis who was put to death recently for the murder of a policeman after the Supreme Court denied his last-minute stay of execution, inspired some hot debate within the media this year. He apparently, also inspired a costume for 2011. T-shirts that read ” I AM TROY DAVIS” across the front can be purchased online and paired with a fake syringe. To achieve a more authentic look, pair the fake syringe with an inmate jumpsuit purchased at a costume store.

For children, nothing says “over the line” like dressing them as little terrorists. A turban and some fake TNT strapped to their chest can go a long way in inspiring some second looks and behind-your-back remarks. Not only is this costume insensitive, it is also just plain wrong.

For a costume idea that is sure to repulse and anger those around you, consider dressing up as Casey Anthony’s deceased toddler. Be advised, this costume is cheap to put together but it is also way over the line and will definitely encourage some not so tasteful comments from those who see it. Residents of the Orlando, FL area should probably steer clear of this one. To achieve this look, you only need to wear a trash bag and put a strip of duct tape over your mouth, draw a small heart on the duct tape for authenticity. If this is too far for you, a Casey Anthony mask and shirt are also available.

This game has been so popular this year that the Halloween costume is set to be one of the biggest in years! The Angry Birds Halloween Costume is a big hit with the 20 to 30 somethings!