Last Minute Carnival Monday Wear Ideas for Every Budget

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If you have ever been to or planned for a Caribbean Carnival, you might have heard the term ‘Carnival Monday Wear.’ So what exactly is it? Monday wear is the clothing masqueraders wear on Carnival Monday, Day 1 of the Trinidad Carnival parade.

In previous years, for Trinidad & Tobago Carnival, masqueraders wore part of their costume on Monday and their full costume on the Carnival Tuesday before Ash Wednesday. As Carnival evolved through the years, Monday Wear became a separate outfit in lieu of wearing their carnival costume. This practice is usually followed if you attend an island with a two-day carnival parade.

When I attended my first Trinidad Carnival in 2013, Carnival Monday Wear was a basic t-shirt with the band logo and pum pum shorts. Monday Wear now consists of decorated one-piece bathing suits, monokinis, and bikinis. Keep reading if you’re looking for last minute Carnival Monday Wear ideas for Trinidad Carnival or other Carnivals offering two days of mas.

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Swimsuit or Bodysuit

The quickest and easiest option for Carnival Monday Wear is purchasing or using an existing swimsuit or bodysuit that matches your band’s theme or color. If you feel creative, add gems, accessories, and other trimmings for your look to stand out.

Purchase from any Black-owned Swimwear brands or find an affordable swimwear or bodysuit from Marshalls, TJ Maxx, Ross, Amazon, Target, Icon Swim, Asos, Etsy, Pretty Little Thing, or Shein.

Wear an Old Costume

Let’s be real: Trinidad carnival costumes and costumes in general can be expensive. If you have attended a carnival in the past, make use of your old costume. You’re basically saving money by wearing an old carnival costume and maximizing the item’s cost per wear. Pack your bodywear and headpiece if you still have them, add some accessories, and you’re good to go.

Purchase from Carnival Monday Wear Designers

Due to its popularity in the last few years, independent designers have released Monday Wear collections. Some Carnival bands partner with these designers, offering Monday Wear as an add-on to their costume packages.

Below is a list of designers offering standard and plus-sized Carnival Monday Wear for masqueraders. You can also search the Monday Wear hashtag on social media for Carnival Monday Wear designers and inspiration.

If you have a particular design idea, consider contacting a designer like House of Jem or Crys M to make a custom Monday Wear costume.

Rave and Festival Apparel

Monday Wear and fete wear can also be purchased from rave and festival apparel stores. Online stores offering rave and festival clothing for Carnival Monday are Rave Wonderland, Dolls Kill, and iHeartRaves.

Make Your Own Monday Wear

For Trinidad Carnival 2023, I made my own Sailor Mas Monday Wear inspired by the Traditional Mas character. I purchased a swim bottom, wire bra, and captain hat, and to customize my costume, I added trimmings and gems from my old Trinidad Carnival and Caribana costumes from 2013 and 2014. If you’re feeling creative, many YouTube tutorials exist on creating your Monday Wear.

Monday wear ideas + Carnival Monday wear

Of course, if your budget is tight or you are pressed for time, a pair of shorts and a tank or cut-up T-shirt can substitute for Carnival Monday Wear. The best thing about Monday Wear is it isn’t exclusively for wearing at a two-day Carnival. Fetes and other Carnival-like experiences like Uber Soca Cruise, BRT Weekend, Hookie Weekend, and Soca Wkndr, are offered year-round, and Monday Wear can be worn depending on the fete’s theme.