7x Shops for carnival outfits: what to wear?

Don’t feel like hopping around the city dressed as a banana for the eighth year in a row? No worries. We’ll catch you up on the outfit trends for Carnival 2026, and point you straight to the best places to score a proper carnival outfit (a ‘pekske’, as we like to call it).

Old-school cool

To escape the present for a bit, we’re diving headfirst into nostalgia with retro outfits. A small sting for the millennials among us: it’s mainly the 90s and 00s that are having their comeback moment this year. Go for ‘gabber’ tracksuits (bonus points for a shaved head), or channel Paris Hilton with three tank tops layered on top of each other and a pair of jeans that make bending down simply impossible.

Your favourite idols

Halloween is often a pretty good indicator of what Carnival will bring, and this year is no exception. Expect lots of costumes inspired by TV and film icons, with a striking number of green witches and K-pop demon hunters. Good news for anyone who loves reusing what they already have: Wednesday Addams and Squid Game outfits can come back out of the closet, thanks to new seasons released last year.

Sustainably silly

Buying a brand-new synthetic costume every year isn’t exactly great for the planet, so more and more Carnival lovers are rummaging through their own wardrobes or second-hand shops in search of an outfit. Go as an elderly person, a geography teacher, or a horse girl. As long as you can tell a good story to go with it, you’re basically good to go. Top tip: at denormaalstezaakvaneindhoven.nl you'll find a handy map with all thrift shops and second-hand stores in Eindhoven. 

And now, on to the shops!

‘t Snabbeltje

A household name among anyone who fancies dressing up. With dozens of wigs, handcuffs, and mustaches, party shop ‘t Snabbeltje at Grote Berg is where you'll find the best accessories and complete outfits (a lovely cow suit including udders, for example). This shop is also an excellent spot for the latest trends in Carnival land. 

Second Floor

Second Floor at Hoogstraat is a fantastic vintage store all year long, but definitely in the run-up to Carnival. Beautiful decorated jackets, for example, that you can customize to your club's colors or your own taste. This year, they have lots of flashy ski suits in stock! Stay warm and comfy while partying.

De Gestelse Feestwinkel

Not much time on your hand? Then please head straight to the Hoogstraat. At the Gestelse Feestwinkel it will take only a few minutes for you to find a priest suit, king's robe or camouflage costume. This is also a popular spot for helium balloons and smoke torches, but you better save them for another party.

Vintage Vêtements

If you're looking for a sophisticated outfit, then Vintage Vêtements at Strijp-S is the place to be. Think fancy overalls, glittery tops, and fine jewelry that you can wear outside of Carnival too. 

Allemaal Tejater

A Carnival outfit is incomplete without a fancy headdress. At Allemaal Tejater you will find the most fantastic wigs, hats and other headgear made of foam. You can buy them ready-made in the webshop or make one during a fun workshop. A great way to get into the Carnival mood!

Allers

This is what you call a specialty store. And one of Allers’ specialties is traditional Carnival clothing. Lots of orange and blue, the colors of Lampegat (Eindhoven’s name during Carnival). This shop at Leenderweg is the place to go for emblems, scarves and peasant jackets with the town's coat of arms.

SoLow

Still no idea what to wear? Then indulge in impulsive buying. In the claustrophobic Carnival Valhalla called SoLow, you can't reach the checkout empty-handed. The endless aisles offer you exactly those things you didn't know you wanted. Glitter wigs, barrier tape and everything for the best after-party ever.

Have a fantastic Carnival! Salaai!