Today is Mardi Gras, which in French means “Fat Tuesday,” and while perhaps most associated with New Orleans, is celebrated nonetheless across the globe. The colors most associated with the holiday are a fantastic combination of green, gold and purple.
Even though Mardi Gras is today, the San Diego Gulls (an AHL team and affiliate of the Anaheim Ducks) kicked things off a bit early on Saturday by breaking out Mardi Gras-themed uniforms that were, in a word, spectacular.
The team went all out with their uniforms. While some teams that wear specialty alternate or holiday-themed sweaters simply sport the jersey (and occasionally a pair of matching socks), but will keep their regular breezers and helmets. The Gulls didn’t stop there, coordinating their helmets and pants with the Mardi Gras themed jersey and socks.
Let’s have a look:
Beautiful, right?
The jersey is obviously the centerpiece of this uniform. Its base is purple, with a green yoke outlined in gold. Sleeve stripes are black, green and gold, with the thick black stripes also containing green and gold diamonds. The base of the jersey features a similar black stripe with gold/green diamonds, with a solid gold stripe at the hem. A special crest is at the center of the jersey, rendered in coordinating black, gold, green and a purple beak (here’s what their regular logo looks like). Both shoulders have special Mardi Gras-themed patches. TV numbers are in green with gold outline.
Here’s a closeup of the two patches on the yoke. The right side contains a fleur de lis in purple with a thin gold outline.
The left side has a “custom” Gulls jester hat patch, in green, gold and purple.
The team didn’t stop with the jersey — they also wore black breezers in with three stripes, one each in purple, green and gold, with a thin black stripe between.
The team also created special socks for this uniform, which are purple at the top and bottom, with a black stripe with green and gold diamonds, followed by a green stripe, a thicker yellow stripe, and finally a thicker black stripe with larger diamonds.
The rear of the jersey features player NOB in black on a gold nameplate. Rear numbers are in the same style as on TV numbers: green outline in gold.
Simply. Awesome.
But how did they look on the ice and in action? Well, pretty good. About the only complaint I have (though it’s not minor) is the visibility of the green numbers on a purple jersey. From a distance they were difficult to discern. I’m thinking the team should have reversed the colors from green with a gold outline, to either solid gold or gold with a green outline.
SNIPER #MardiGulls | #BAKvsSD pic.twitter.com/rmP15sAlzr
— San Diego Gulls (@SDGullsAHL) March 2, 2025
Well done Gulls! I absolutely love the green, purple and gold color scheme. What a fun way to celebrate the season.
Your thoughts?
these are awesome. it’s a jersey that if you are a fan, get because it will be timeless.
OMG is this the first time you mention the San Diego Gulls??
they do an amzing job with themed jerseys like Star War Night, St Patty Day and Military appriciation day.
I’m impressed that the jerseys have embroidered details and the crest and numbers appear to be twill with maybe even some chain stitching. So many of these specialty one off jerseys are fully sublimated (which I do not care for). Well done indeed!
Great job SD Gulls! Aside from 1993-2006 Milwaukee Bucks (and their throwback couple years ago) has any team worn purple/green as their primary colors? (not Stockton/Malone Utah Jazz where green is third behind primary purple/gold). Colorado Rockies or Utah Jazz could add green to become unique purple/green team(s).
Colorado did introduce green with their city connects, they just never combine it with the purple. Missed opportunity
Hibernian FC (Hibs, from Edinburgh) have a long history of having purple on their away kit, often combined with green. There are some other soccer teams that have done it, but as far as I’m concerned that’s the result of the designers throwing three darts at the colour wheel.
I’m guessing Anaheim Mighty Duck’s emerald and jade doesn’t count in your eyes?
“emerald and jade” doi… *eggplant and jade
TIL that San Diego has a decent size Mardis Gras celebration. Outside of New Orleans, St. Louis, and the gulf coast I didn’t realize many other places did it up big.
These are sensational!! And who knew San Diego was so big on Mardi Gras?
Pretty cool, and appropriately garish. Love the socks and the fleur. I’d love to see this as an alternate for the Swedish team Jokerit.
If U-W still had the membership card program these would be a great basis for a Purple Amnesty Day card!
You should’ve seen their Lunar New Year uniforms. I happen to own one of the jerseys and they are just as spectacular.
Great uniform but I really associate it with the Crescent City. New Orleans Gulls sounds great to me…No, stay in San Diego and keep bringing out awesome special occasion uniforms like this one.
Why don’t more New Orleans teams have units like these? Not as alternates, but as primaries. Pelicans, I’m looking at you and your boring lame primary uniforms.
These are over-the-top, ostentatious, gawdy, and most of all, GORGEOUS!!!