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Brazilian Carnival is one of the most spectacular festivals in the world, famous for its vibrant music, energetic dances, and, of course, its dazzling costumes. Whether you're attending a grand samba school parade or joining a bloco (street party), knowing what to wear is essential to fully embrace the spirit of Carnival.
This guide will take you through the history of Brazilian Carnival costumes, what people wear today, and a shopping checklist to help you prepare for attending Carnival 2025. At the end you'll find a gallery of Brazilian carnival outfits and costumes for inspiration when preparing your outfits this year.
Going to Carnaval do Rio in 2025? > Book a one of the final Sambadrome tickets for Carnaval now > Find last-minute accommodation for your stay in Rio de Janeiro
The History of Brazilian Carnival Costumes
The roots of Brazilian Carnival can be traced back to the Portuguese entrudo, a festival that involved water fights and playful mischief. Over time, African, Indigenous, and European influences blended to shape the unique and colorful celebration seen today. The elaborate costumes we associate with modern Carnival began to take shape in the early 20th century when samba schools emerged as a defining feature of Rio de Janeiro’s festivities. These schools introduced luxurious, handcrafted outfits adorned with sequins, feathers, and beads, which became a signature of the Carnival parade.
What People Wear to Carnival Today
What is the difference between samba parade outfits and bloco costumes? The main difference between the two is the level of formality and structure. Samba school costumes are elaborate and expensive, often made by professional designers and worn for grand performances in front of thousands of spectators. In contrast, bloco attire is more about personal expression, humor, and practicality for hours of dancing in the streets.
Samba Parade Costumes
If you’re lucky enough to get tickets to watch the samba school parade at the Sambadrome in Rio, you're in for a treat. These elaborate costumes are designed to match the school’s theme for the year and can range from elaborate feathered headdresses and sequined bikinis to armored warrior outfits or mythical creature designs. The goal is to be eye-catching, and the costumes contribute to rich storytelling that unfolds during the parade.
Even spectators in the stands love to dress up, often wearing colorful and festive attire with plenty of glitter, bright accessories.
Bloco Street Party Outfits
Blocos are the heartbeat of Brazil’s street Carnival, and dressing up for them is all about comfort, fun, and creativity. Unlike the structured costumes of the samba parade, bloco outfits are often funny, DIY, and inspired by pop culture.
A unique feature of blocos is that many have specific themes, and attendees often match their outfits to the theme of their chosen bloco. For example, the famous "Elephant Bloco" in Olinda features revelers dressed in elephant-themed costumes and other extravagant attire that pays homage to the bloco's tradition. In Rio de Janeiro, the legendary "Cordão da Bola Preta" bloco sees attendees dressed in black-and-white polka dots, a tradition that dates back over a century.
Here are some common bloco trends:
Funny and Themed Costumes – Many people dress as famous celebrities, politicians, superheroes, or in clever, pun-heavy outfits.
Bright and Colorful Attire – Neon, sequins, and rainbow-colored clothing are a common
Comfortable Fabrics – Since blocos happen in the summer heat, people wear light and breathable fabrics, and sometimes very little of it
Glitter and Face Paint – Glitter is absolutely essential. People love to cover themselves in body glitter and stick-on gems and jewels.
Sensible Footwear – Since blocos involve a lot of walking and dancing, comfortable sneakers are essential.
Check the bloco schedule and try to align you costume with the theme of the parties you are attending that day
Checklist: How to prepare your Brazilian carnival outfits for 2025
This list will help you prepare your outfits and costumes for Carnival - but don't forget to check my full Carnival packing checklist
For Bloco Street Parties:
✅ Comfortable and colorful pieces to mix and match to make eye-catching outfits - think fun shorts, crop tops, body-suits, Brazilian style bikinis, tutus)
✅ Comfortable sneakers or sandals
✅ Sunglasses and a hat for sun protection - but make them fun!
✅ Feathered or sequined accessories (if you want to add flair to a spectator outfit)
✅ Matching earrings, bracelets, and headpieces
✅ Reusable water bottle to stay hydrated and a sling so you don't have to carry it
✅ Waterproof phone case
✅ Anti-theft fanny pack or a hidden money belt to wear under your clothes
✅ Tons of glitter and face paint. Tip: use eyelash glue to stick gems to your face and body that will stay on all day.
✅ Strong hairspray to maintain your look all day & night
✅A hand-held fan - trust me, Carnival is in the middle of summer
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