14 Masquerade Party Outfits for Women for New Year’s Eve and Mardi Gras

The dress code on a masquerade invitation settles most of your outfit before you pick a mask. Black tie means a floor-length gown or a dressy floor-length jumpsuit. Cocktail means knee or midi length.

A Carnival ball may have its own rules, so confirm them with the host or krewe. If the mask is the most detailed thing in your outfit, keep the dress plain, and if the dress has sequins or beading, keep the mask plain.

Below are fourteen outfits sorted from most formal to most casual, each with a mask pairing. You’ll see which looks suit New Year’s Eve, which belong to Mardi Gras and Carnival season, and which work for both. Each one also covers hair, earrings, and what to do when the venue is freezing or packed.

1. Emerald Velvet Gown

• Best for: A formal New Year’s Eve masquerade ball in a hotel ballroom or event hall, or a Carnival ball where emerald fits the season.
• Wear it with: Gold filigree half mask, small gold drop-free earrings, a gold clutch, and block-heel satin pumps or low platforms.
• Fit check: Velvet with some stretch makes dancing and sitting easier. Check the hem length in your heels and test the bodice by raising your arms for a toast.
• Weather swap: Indoors with heavy heating, choose a sleeveless velvet style and carry a lightweight wrap. For a cold arrival, add a long coat over the gown and plan for coat check.

Velvet holds its shape through a long night, and long sleeves handle a chilly December arrival. Because the fabric already has depth, you can skip a necklace and let the mask do the detail work. A gold filigree half mask with intricate cutwork looks deliberate against plain emerald, while a smooth mask would leave the look flat.

Repeat the gold once, in earrings that sit close to the ear. Anything that swings can catch on the mask ties, and you’ll spend the night adjusting. Emerald also suits a Carnival ball, since green is one of the three traditional colors, so the same gown can work for either event.

2. Black Sequin Column Gown

• Best for: New Year’s Eve black-tie masquerades where you want the most sparkle with the least styling decisions.
• Wear it with: Plain black lace half mask, a sleek low bun or low ponytail, one pair of studs, and black block-heel sandals.
• Fit check: Sit down in it before buying. Sequin fabric can ride up or feel stiff at the hip. Keep bracelets and rings off, since they snag the sequins.
• Weather swap: In a cold climate, add a black velvet wrap or a coat in a matching tone. For a warm, crowded venue, pick a sleeveless style with a lining that breathes.

A gown covered in sequins already supplies the sparkle, so the mask should stay quiet. A plain black lace half mask or a smooth matte one works, while a jeweled mask next to sequins turns into visual noise. Black is also the safest base for a mask-forward party, because any mask color reads clearly against it.

Keep the rest of the styling just as restrained:

• Hair: a low bun or low ponytail, so the mask ties sit flat and the neckline stays clear.
• Jewelry: studs only, since bracelets and rings snag sequins.
• Bag: a small black satin or velvet clutch, because a metallic one competes with the dress.

3. Ivory and Silver Gown

• Best for: A winter or New Year’s Eve masquerade ball with a silver, ice, or snow theme.
• Wear it with: Elbow-length satin gloves, a silver filigree mask, silver block-heel sandals, and a hairstyle that keeps the mask ties flat.
• Fit check: Try the gloves on with the sleeves or straps of the gown. Make sure you can lift a glass and hold a phone, and check the arm room if the gown has fitted sleeves.
• Weather swap: A faux-fur stole or a long white coat works in the cold. If the venue is warm, skip the stole and keep the gloves, which add formality without much heat.

Gloves are the feature in this outfit. Elbow-length satin gloves add formality and keep the arms from looking bare next to beaded straps and a silver mask. Stay with ivory and silver only, because a colored mask breaks the icy palette.

Put the gloves on after your makeup, jewelry, and mask are in place. Take off one glove, not both, when you eat or drink, so you’re never fumbling with a pair at a table.

Check before you wear white: Some traditional Carnival balls reserve white for debutantes. Treat this as a New Year’s Eve look, and confirm the invitation before wearing ivory to a krewe ball.

4. Corset Bodice, Tulle Skirt

• Best for: Guests who want a ball-gown shape for a New Year’s Eve masquerade or a Mardi Gras themed party where drama is welcome.
• Wear it with: Black lace-edged half mask, a hair updo that stays clear of the bodice, black platform pumps, and a small evening bag.
• Fit check: Check boning against your ribs while seated, and confirm the corset closure type. Sizes that work across the waist and bust leave room for a full dinner and midnight dancing. Walk up stairs in the skirt to check the length.
• Weather swap: Tulle is light, so add a fitted blazer or a cropped velvet jacket for cold weather. In a very warm room, a strapless corset with a shorter tulle layer stays cooler.

A boned corset bodice and a full tulle skirt already make a strong silhouette, so the mask should stay simple. Black lace edging keeps the drama in the skirt, not the face. Pin your hair up and away from the bodice so loose strands don’t catch on the hooks or the boning edges.

Fit depends on the closure and the boning more than on the size tag. A hook-and-eye back closes snugly and can’t be adjusted mid-night, while a lace-up back lets you loosen it after dinner. Platform pumps help the hem clear the floor without you hiking up the tulle on stairs.

5. Purple Cape Gown

• Best for: A Mardi Gras or Carnival ball where long evening wear is common, and anyone who wants color without wearing all three Carnival colors.
• Wear it with: Plain black half mask, a gold clutch, a small gold earring, and closed-back heels you can stand in.
• Fit check: Test the cape while sitting and when passing through doorways. Make sure it doesn’t pull at the neck or slide off the shoulders when you dance.
• Weather swap: The cape is already a layer. For a cold or rainy arrival, add a long coat and keep a small umbrella. Indoors, remove the cape to keep the gown’s silhouette.

Purple is one of the three traditional Carnival colors, which makes this gown a more natural fit for a Mardi Gras ball than for most New Year’s Eve parties. The cape supplies drama and a layer of warmth in one piece. Let the purple make the statement, and choose a plain black or gold mask.

Carnival season runs from January 6 to Fat Tuesday, and Fat Tuesday moves every year, so look up the date before you plan. Closed-back heels stay on through dancing and stairs. Keep jewelry to a small pair of gold earrings, since the cape already fills the space around your neck.

6. Burgundy Slip Dress and Blazer

• Best for: A New Year’s Eve house party, restaurant masquerade, or hotel event where the invitation says cocktail or semi-formal.
• Wear it with: Black lace eye mask, a black blazer worn off the shoulders for photos, strappy block-heel sandals, and one small pendant that sits below the mask edge.
• Fit check: Check that the satin doesn’t cling in the seat when seated. Choose a slip with adjustable straps so the neckline stays put when you lift your arms.
• Weather swap: In cold weather, wear the blazer closed, add tights or a longer midi hem, and bring a coat. For a hot party, drop the blazer and wear a sheer wrap.

A bias-cut satin slip dress becomes party clothing once you add structure and a mask with detail. The blazer provides that structure, and it covers bare shoulders on the walk in. A midi length keeps the look at cocktail level instead of ball level.

1. Start with a slip that has adjustable straps, so the neckline stays put.
2. Wear the blazer closed for arrival, then slide it off the shoulders for photos.
3. Put the mask on last, so the ties don’t snag on the blazer collar.

If the party involves a cold walk between venues, winter going-out outfits for every occasion covers more coat and layering options.

7. Black Jumpsuit, Beaded Mask

• Best for: Guests who prefer pants for a masquerade party, a NYE dinner-and-dance event, or a venue with stairs and tight spaces.
• Wear it with: A beaded or gemstone mask, gold or silver strappy sandals, and a clutch with a short chain strap.
• Fit check: Check the torso length when sitting and make sure the zipper or tie closure won’t make restroom trips hard. Wide legs should clear the floor in your shoes.
• Weather swap: In winter, choose crepe or a heavier knit blend with long sleeves, or add a long coat. In a warm room, a sleeveless or lightweight crepe jumpsuit is more comfortable.

A black wide-leg jumpsuit is easy to wear in tight rooms and on stairs, and it leaves the mask as the only decorated piece. A beaded or gemstone mask shows up best against plain black, because the detail doesn’t get lost. A mask in the $20 to $30 range is a realistic starting point, but check current listings and shipping dates.

Read the invitation’s wording before you commit. Cocktail attire accepts most jumpsuits, while black tie works only when the jumpsuit is floor-length and made of a dressy fabric like crepe or satin.

8. Silver Beaded Cocktail Dress

• Best for: A New Year’s Eve masquerade party with dancing, where a knee-length dress is more comfortable than a gown.
• Wear it with: Silver filigree mask, silver block-heel sandals, a smooth low bun, and a simple metallic clutch.
• Fit check: Beaded dresses can be heavy at the shoulders, so check the weight on the straps. Keep rings and bracelets off to protect the beading.
• Weather swap: In cold weather, add opaque tights and a velvet jacket. For a warm venue, wear it as-is and carry a light wrap in case of a draft.

A knee-length beaded dress lets you move more than a gown does, which matters at a party with a dance floor. A silver filigree mask picks up the beadwork as long as it stays simple. Let the dress carry the sparkle and keep the clutch plain.

• Block heels under about three inches stay steady through hours of dancing.
• A low platform adds height with less pressure on the ball of the foot.
• Foldable flats in a tote are worth the space if the venue has a coat check.

9. Velvet Blazer, Satin Skirt

• Best for: Anyone building a masquerade outfit from closet pieces, or a casual-to-semi-formal masquerade where a blazer fits the tone.
• Wear it with: A black bodysuit or fitted top, a gold mask with black detailing, ankle-strap heels, and gold stud earrings.
• Fit check: Make sure the blazer sleeves don’t bunch when you raise a glass, and that the satin skirt has a lining or slip so it doesn’t cling or ride up.
• Weather swap: In cold weather, the velvet blazer is the warm layer; add tights and ankle boots if the venue is walkable. In a warm room, take off the blazer and rely on the top and skirt.

You may already own most of this outfit. A black-and-gold velvet blazer, a satin midi skirt, and a fitted black top make a semi-formal base, and one standout mask replaces the cost of a new dress. Choose a mask with gold and black detailing so it ties in with the blazer trim.

Mask prices change often, so treat any number you see as an example and check shipping dates before ordering online. For more on building a look from a plain base and one standout piece, see Christmas party outfits built on a plain base.

10. Black Dress, Statement Mask

• Best for: A relaxed New Year’s Eve masquerade or a themed house party, and anyone who wears glasses and wants a mask that works with them.
• Wear it with: A feathered or hand-painted mask on a stick, simple studs, black ankle boots or block heels, and a smooth hairstyle.
• Fit check: Test the mask seated, turning your head, and while drinking. Make sure it leaves your mouth free so you can talk and eat. Skip dangling earrings that tangle in mask ties.
• Weather swap: In cold weather, wear a long-sleeve black dress with tights and a coat. In a warm room, choose a sleeveless style and hold the mask by the stick to stay cooler.

A plain black dress is the right backdrop for a hand-painted or feathered mask. If you wear glasses, a mask on a stick avoids the frame problem entirely. Otherwise, try the mask over and under your frames at home before the night.

• Low bun: nothing sits behind the mask ties.
• Loose waves: hold the mask on with a thin elastic hidden under the hair.
• Swept bangs: pin them back so they don’t catch on the mask’s upper edge.

For a relaxed party in cold weather, casual winter going-out outfits for the bar shows how to keep a simple dress warm with layers.

11. Gold Dress, Purple and Green

• Best for: A Mardi Gras themed party or Carnival season gathering where Carnival colors are expected but a ball gown isn’t.
• Wear it with: A purple clutch, purple block-heel shoes, small green earrings, and a simple gold or black mask.
• Fit check: Keep the green to one small accent so the colors read as planned. Check that metallic gold fabric doesn’t cling and that the hemline is comfortable for dancing.
• Weather swap: In cool weather, add a black or purple cropped jacket. For a warm party, choose a lightweight gold satin and carry a light shawl.

A 60/30/10 split makes Carnival colors look planned. The gold dress is the main color, purple shoes and a clutch are the secondary, and small green earrings are the accent.

Share	Color	Piece
60%	Gold	Satin dress
30%	Purple	Clutch and block-heel shoes
10%	Green	Small earrings

You don’t need all three colors, and one or two is enough. Rex adopted purple, green, and gold in 1872 and gave them meanings in 1892: purple for justice, green for faith, and gold for power.

12. Green Dress, Purple-Gold Mask

• Best for: A Mardi Gras party where you want a clear color theme but still want a wearable dress and not a costume.
• Wear it with: A purple-and-gold mask, gold hoop-free earrings, nude or gold heels, and a simple clutch.
• Fit check: Make sure the mask colors are balanced and the dress has no pattern that competes. Check that the neckline sits below the mask’s lower edge and nothing overlaps.
• Weather swap: In February chill, choose a long-sleeve green dress or add a gold-toned jacket. For an indoor warm party, a sleeveless dress with a light wrap is enough.

Here the dress stays one solid Carnival color, and the mask brings in the other two. A deep green satin dress with a purple-and-gold mask reads as Carnival without any costume pieces. Gold or nude shoes keep the palette from getting crowded.

This suits a party, but a krewe ball may state its own dress requirements on the invitation. Pick a mask where purple and gold are balanced, since one color dominating makes the pairing look mismatched. Keep the dress free of prints so nothing competes with the mask.

13. Fringe Flapper Dress

• Best for: A Gatsby or 1920s-themed New Year’s Eve masquerade or a costume-friendly Mardi Gras party.
• Wear it with: A black or gold feathered mask, a beaded headband worn under the mask ties, T-strap heels, and long beaded earrings only if they stay clear of the mask.
• Fit check: Check the fringe length when sitting and that the lining won’t catch on a chair. Keep accessories simple so fringe doesn’t tangle with a bracelet or necklace.
• Weather swap: In cold weather, add an opaque long-sleeve layer underneath and a faux-fur wrap. In a warm room, the sleeveless fringe style is ideal.

Fringe moves when you dance, so the rest of the outfit should hold still. Choose a feathered mask in black or gold, and style your hair in sleek waves or a low bun. Wear a beaded headband under the mask ties so the mask doesn’t slip.

This is a themed-party outfit, not a formal krewe ball look. Costumes such as flapper, jester, or queen belong at themed parties and on Fat Tuesday, and a 1920s New Year’s Eve masquerade welcomes this dress too. Wear long earrings only if they clear the mask’s edge.

14. Parade Day Layers

• Best for: Outdoor Mardi Gras parades and street events, where comfort and walking matter more than formality.
• Wear it with: Purple knit sweater, green or gold scarf, dark jeans or leggings, ankle or rain boots, and a simple mask on a headband or stick.
• Fit check: Choose shoes you can stand in for hours and layers you can tie around your waist. Keep bags small and cross-body so you can catch beads and move through crowds.
• Weather swap: For rain, add a packable rain jacket and waterproof boots. If the day turns warm, keep a light base layer and carry the sweater.

This look is for outdoor parades and street events in New Orleans, not for indoor balls or Mardi Gras parties elsewhere. February weather there can swing, and guides suggest roughly 45 to 65°F with possible rain, so check the forecast closer to the date. Build your outfit from layers you can tie around your waist.

Quick tip: Wear the mask on a headband or hold it on a stick. It stays off your face while you walk, and your hands are free to catch beads.

Try the Mask on First

Before you buy anything, put the mask on with your hair and glasses, then sit, turn your head, and raise a glass. Pack a few bobby pins, a spare mask tie or elastic, and a light wrap, so a broken tie or a late-night draft doesn’t cut the evening short.