Get your Carnival Kicks!

Now that you've decided on your band and section, it's time to accessorize! Choosing footwear and tights/stockings is an important part of the playing mas, and should never be an afterthought.

Last year I went with Peavey Footless Low Rise Hosiery from Carnival Kicks.
Peavey makes a strong yet slightly shimmery pair of tights made perfectly for mas. I thought going footless worked out well since usually footed pairs do dig into and hurt my toes after chipping away in them for many hours. Suntan was a good match and I wore fishnets on top.  $13 is a great price for such durable tights you can get several uses out of, everywhere else charges a lot more.

I also got their Metallic Thin Shoelace in Solid Silver and was pleased with how they added a bit more silver to my shoes. My order came in a few business days. I will definitely be ordering with them again.
Check out what carnivalkicks.com has to offer this year, there are some new additions to jewellery as well as Micles Glitter Fishnet Pantyhose. If you're lucky enough to be a size 5 or 6, many boots and shoes are reduced to $9.99, but order them quickly, they won't last at that price.   

Ready?

 

 ~My carnival cup~

Found at Giant Tiger this month. Lots of cute carnival bottle options to choose from.

How ready are you for next week? I'm all set, got my accessory shopping done, just happened upon great finds while already shopping. My tights and silver laces are coming from CarnivalKicks.
 (Tuesday is the last day to place orders with them.
They'll be at Saldenah's mas camp on Thursday and Friday from 1pm til 8ish. Select 'Caribana pickup' as the shipping option.)

Scored these bad gyrls at Value Village for $7.50. Oh yes.

Ideal sized backpack bag, also at Value Village for $3. You heard it. 

 Caught this dragonfly in Chinatown.

Tell us where you got your footwear and other accessories, and send pictures if you would like them included in this post to karabana01@yahoo.ca.

  Raesha "bought these online for $9, spray painted them gold (they were taupe) and decorated them.

Here is the finished product. Took a couple hours. Did it back in the first week of June. Stretched the hell out of the boots for three days prior to decorating them

Ironically, I don't think I will wear them on the road. I will stick with the purple Joan&David suede boots I found on Kijiji and wore at the July 7th launch. Although they are a 1.5 sizes too large and padded with Dr Scholl's inserts, I intend to be munching on Advil all parade day."

 

  

Kryssy says "I got my boots at a discount store for less than $20 and decorated them a while back."

 

"I got the gold purse ($5.99) & the eyelashes ($0.99 ea.) at my local beauty supply store.
The Gold Metallic Leg Wraps ($21.99), red drawstring water bag ($5.99), & the selfie stick ($15.99) are from Amazon.com.

I used my points at Sephora to get the mist & fix mini to keep my makeup intact. Also used Sephora points to get the mini emergency kit; but I'm not using all the stuff that's in it. (I think they sell for $14 & $16 respectively.)"

Toronto Mas Tights

We have done a few posts over the years on the merits of sheer to waist tights, so we are happy to introduce you to Toronto Mas Tights. Now you can get the same tights they sell in Trinidad for carnival right here in Toronto.

As a promotional offer, Toronto Mas Tights is offering a 5% discount to all Karabana blog readers.
Simply do a print screen or copy and paste this ad onto your e-mail order and you will receive 5% off your purchase.

Follow this link to check out their facebook page.

Get it together!

You've ordered your costume, and are shopping for footwear and accessories - but don't forget about tights! They are usually the final touch to a costume. And please don't leave it 'till the last minute & resort to, eeeek! control top panty hose! The #1 Caribana fashion crime is wearing control top panty hose.
It really detracts from your costume when we can see the control top.

Now I love Rihanna, but I cringe at this wtf sloppy look, I mean, what was the stylist thinking? She did us no fashion favours by sporting this look in her What's My Name? video. 

This is more like it, mas appropriate fishnets! Matching quite well with her Barbados Carnival 2011 costume.

That's what I decided I wanted this year, nude fishnets. I saw a few pictures of masqueraders wearing them well in Trinidad. It was a matter of finding the right shade, not too pale or too dark. I didn't have to search too long to find them. I ordered this pair in just the right tan colour on Amazon.com.

 

Locally, you can check out the Phantom Warehouse Sale on Weston Rd. and Dance Wear Centre (Wilson Rd.) and their online store (they carry Capezio). There are many other online choices also.

I spotted these on July 13 at Brands Gone Wild for just $3! 

There's enough time ladies, so organize yourself nah! No excuses!