The Best of The Past - ULTIMATE Carnival Packing List!

The Trini Carnival ULTIMATE Packing List

You should already have an idea of how to dress to fete and the type of clothing to shop for when it comes to parties from my previous posts and also the kind of footwear that will be needed for comfortable feteing.

So, we shall leave out clothing from this ULTIMATE packing list which comes as a compilation from the contribution of all the overseas bloggers who so graciously shared with me all that is going into their suitcases to Trinidad. If anything is left out please let me know by leaving a comment!

Good luck in meeting the weight limit!

DOCUMENTATION
Airline Tickets
Passport
Copies of passport and Identification cards
Drivers Permit
Copies of Hotel Confirmation/Bookings
Copies of Emails pertaining to accommodation/car reservations
Copies of all receipts for fete tickets purchased online
Costume Receipt
Letter of costume transfer (if buying a resold costume) as well as copies of seller's ID card
A list of all items packed
Photo evidence of your luggage and contents in case it is lost by the airline

ON THE PLANE
Travel pillow
Flip flops (practical, fancy)
I Pod
Duct tape (for when they buss yuh overstuffed suitcase)
Ziploc Bags
Ear Plugs


SUN PROTECTION
Sun block with high SPF
Aloe Vera Gel (cools sunburns)
SPF Chap Stick/ lip-gloss
Sun glasses
At least 1 hat
Foot cream (something that tingles)

GROOMING
Shaving Cream
Razors
Hair Remover/Depilatory
Deodorant
Eye drops
Contact lenses
Contact lens solution
Contact lens case
Re- wetting Drops
Lotion
Toothbrush/paste
Mouthwash
Dental Floss
Feminine wipes
Wet Wipes
Breath mints!
Chewing Gum
Double Sided Tape
Bra Inserts
Stick on Bra
Nipple Covers
Tide to Go Stain Remover Pen

MEDICATION
Pepto bismol
Tums
Imodium AD
Prescription Medication
Birth Control
Condoms
Elastoplast
Mini First Aid Kit
Blister Lotion
Chafing Powder
Gel Insoles
Insect repellent
Milk of Magnesia
Hand Sanitizer

FOR DE COSTUME
Glue Gun
Glue Sticks
Spray Paint
Bling Cup
Waterproof Powder for Feathers
Travel sized sewing kit
Extra pins and Velcro tape for outfit and costume adjustment.
Comfortable Shoes, Sneakers or Boots for the playing mas
Gel Insoles
Mas Tights
Glitter

MAKEUP NEEDS
Spirit Gum
Face Jewels
False Eyelashes
Makeup
Concealer
Moisturizer
Bronzer
Glitter Lotion
Makeup Remover
Blotting Sheets
Q tips
Vaseline

BODY/HAIR CARE
Pumice stone
Exfoliating body gloves
Nail polish /remover
Curling iron
Blow dryer
Flat iron
Comb
Brush
Hair clips/bows
Hair Pieces/Extensions
Braid and Weave Spray
Hair Scarf
Shower cap
Anti Frizz Hair Serum
Shampoo and Conditioner
Inflatable Foot Spa (the Epsom salts you can get in Trinidad!)

GADGETS AND COMMUNICATION
Camera/camera bag
Waterproof Camera
Disposable Camera
USB cables
USB Drives
Video Camera
Portable DVD Player
Laptop
Cell phone for conversion if applicable
Chargers and/or batteries for all your electronics
Voltage Converter
Power Cords for all electrical implements
List of all friends’ contact info
A small telephone book with a copy of all the numbers from your cell phone.

DOH FORGET
J’ouvert shoes and outfit
Monday Wear
Bandanna
Whistle
Handbags
Money Pouch
Watch (waterproof)
Costume Jewelry
Extra backs for earrings
Water shoes, if you plan to be walking/swimming where there is coral or sharp rocks.
Bathing suits
Towels for the beach
Socks
LOTS of Underwear
A Bottle of Johnnie Walker - black, blue, red, green doh matter, come one come all
Rum Flask
Key Chain Bottle Opener
Goodies for friends and family

The Best of The Past - Fete Wardrobe

Dressing For Feteing 

I can only imagine how stressful it must be to pack for Trinidad Carnival, especially for the women, when you are limited by the weight of your suitcase and a multitude of events to attend. There are so many fetes to go to, plus you need to walk with Carnival accessories, gifts for friends and family that you probably wonder how you can pack everything and what items you can getaway with leaving behind.

Well, here is a simple guide to what type and items of clothing you will need for certain events, and then you can pack accordingly:

All-inclusive fetes:

Plan on dressing up more than you would to go to any other parties in Trinidad as these fetes are usually a “fashion show” with some people dressed to thrill. With premium drinks and a variety of dishes included in the ticket price, all-inclusive are where you go to mingle with the local celebrities, politicians and the who’s who of Trinidad social circles.

Daytime all-inclusive fetes like Beach House and Salybia require stylish yet simple attire and a cute pair of shades. Bermuda shorts, skirts, tunic tops or even a “summer dress” are all quite acceptable wear. Footwear should be comfortable; wedges, flats or nice sandals are perfect, please leave the sneakers at home!

All-inclusive fetes held at night usually bring out the sexy and the stilettos. Expect to see women in daring sexy tops showing off cleavage or back, short skirts emphasizing the legs in high heels, hipster fitted pants showing off the curves and stomach in addition to being adorned with lots of trendy accessories. Rule of thumb is the more expensive the fete, the more dressed up the women are. Furthermore, you see all the latest trends, so if you are not wearing something new you will not be in style. If you need to shop for one new outfit before heading to Trinidad, plan on something you can wear to an all-inclusive fete like Brian Lara’s or Moka.

Soca Jams:

These are large affairs with thousands of people, several live brass bands usually held in some large open space such as a car park for Customs or sports ground like the Brass Festival. Two things are most important when dressing for these fetes, comfort and comfort. This is the time to wear your shorts, jeans and sneakers, with that many people you want to safe guard your toes as well as be able to jump and wave all night to the soca bands.

The only accessories you need are a flag, rag or bandana to wave on instruction and someplace safe to stash your money. Unlike the exclusive all-inclusive, these fetes tend to attract a cross section of society, with many exuberant young boys who might get into fights or try to pick your pocket.

Theme Fetes:

Any party where you are instructed to wear white, black or a crazy hat is considered a “theme party”. Knowing which one you plan on going to in advance helps with the wardrobe. Eyes Wide shut is where you wear all black and a mask. Glo you don all white and Mad Hatters requires you wear some type of headgear. Now, you don’t have to follow the “rules” and can wear anything you desire but the majority of people do follow the dress code, even in part, so unless you want to stand out prepare your outfit accordingly in advance.

Breakfast Parties:

Starting at mid-night and going until the sun comes up, these parties like Insomnia and Dawn test your endurance and fashion sense. What might look good in the night does not look as cute when daylight hits! Here is a tip, walk with sun glasses for when the sun rises; some faces show the stress of the night before more than others, the sun glasses hides the “morning face”. Make sure and “day approve” your outfit, anything worn or faded might look great at night but show all the sins in the light of day.

Another bit of advice for ladies is to take along some blotting sheets, lipstick, eye liner, wet wipes and body spray in your handbag. As the sun rises you can discreetly go to the wash room and “freshen” up. Lots of these breakfast parties also supply you with toothpaste packs, use them!

Clubs:

Zen and 51 degrees have a dress code; if you are going to either one know that men are not allowed in with sneakers and they tend to dress on the metro side, expect to see guys in man blouses and women dressing like Paris Hilton. From my experience people tend to dress very trendy to go to these clubs, lots of “what’s wearing now”. To get an idea of how people dress, just browse the galleries at triniscene.com

Out Door Fetes:

Any party held at Anchorage, Mobs 2, Pier 1, and other open air venues such as Bacchanal Wednesday, Girl Power or Trini Posse are defined as such. These parties are somewhat like the Soca Jam in that they attract a lot of people, might have more than one live band, but they do not attract the same element. Soca Jams tend to attract a more “rough crowd”, for want of a better word, whereas these out door clubs attract a wider cross section; middle to upper middle class, foreigners a sprinkling of local celebrities as well as the popular party crowd. The dress code is usually stylish jeans, pants or shorts coupled with a sexy top and comfortable yet stylish shoes (sandals, wedges, trendy sneakers). You do want to be comfortable to wine and jam, jump up and get on bad, but you don’t want to look like a hot, sweaty mess doing so either.

Panorama Semis

If you are lucky enough to be in Trinidad for Panorama Semis know that most people in the North Stand will be decked out in a "crew" T-Shirt/Vest/Baby Tee. Club Coconuts, Island People, Red Ants,Insmoniacs, Jamboree among many other promoters offer Panorama Packages for around $150.00TT which include one of the aforementioned garments to wear, food and drinks ALL day and a fun lime with rhythim section and alot of other drunk people (cost of your panorama ticket is not included however). This year one of my friends got other accesories in her panorama package including a cup, whistle and "female urinal" (I kid you not!).

It is not necessary to join a crew to enjoy panorama, we usually do our own lime walking with our drinks, food etc. BUT we do wear a uniformed T-Shirt. I come up with the design each year, and iron on the pattern on the T-Shirts/Vests/Baby Tees which is cheap yet effective. The other standard panorama wear is shorts, t-shirt/vest, sun glasses and sneakers! You do not want to be in heels navigating the North Stand stairs!

After Carnival Cool Down:

Whether you are heading to Tobago, Maracas or Manazanilla most likely you will end up on a beach so swimwear is the clothing of choice. I advise on wearing a cover-up when you are not taking a swim since candid camera men are notorious for stalking women in bikinis and next thing you know you are unwittingly starring in some post carnival video.Shorts, Capris, sheer draw string pants or even a wrap is an ideal accessory on the beach.

I plan on listing all the fetes for the Carnival season when the schedule becomes available, but for now here are some of the more popular ones:

All-inclusives:
Amnesia
Bliss
Soca in Moka
UWI All inclusive
O'Farell's
Bishops All-inclusive
Q.R.C. All-inclusive
Fete to the Max, CAREC Grounds, St Clair
Misty Ridge
Michael Headley all-inclusive, Salybia
The Beach House Carnival all-inclusive fete
V.I.P. Friday
The Atlantis Fete
Poolside all-inclusive, Hilton Trinidad
In de Sanctuary all-inclusive, Valsayn
Moka all-inclusive, Maraval
Brian Lara all-inclusive,

Soca Jam:
Caribbean Brass Festival
Customs Boys’ annual Pan-o-Brass-Pan
Soca Monarch Final
Cooler Fete, Pier 1, Chaguaramas
Caribbean Wet Fete
Army Fete
Fire Fete
Flour Mills Fete
W.A.S.A. Fete


Out Door Clubs:
Bazodee Fridays
Karma Sutura
Skin to Skin
Jamboree Park
Bacchanal Wednesday
UWI Splash Aqua Trinidad
Island People’s Girl Power
Trini Posse
Mania Country Club


Theme Fete:
Wicked in White
Island Style’s Glo
Island Style’s Mad Hatters
Eyes Wide Shut Carnivale
Country Club Carnival Friday Costume Party.

Breakfast Parties:
Dawn
Insomina
Sunny Side Up
Diamond Vale Breakfast Party