HAT
Annies enjoy a bit more color than your average pirate. and it starts at the top. No black felt tri-corner hats for their heads: Annies prefer light colors and airy, cool materials like straw.
CRYSTALS
The Annies pay tribute to the krewe’s French Caribbean heritage with a crystal fleur-de-lis on the back of their jackets. But those who want to be truly sparkly can add crystals to the lace on their waist corset, trim or skirt.
JACKET
The Annies rely on custom seamstress Larisa Kochervey to make their costumes. This ensures that each costume’s pattern, quality and integrity will be uniform. But among their nearly 200 members, no two costumes are the same. Annies show their individuality through their selection of fabric colors and patterns which give each costume individual flair and style. This year, Migliara is wearing a gold jacket to celebrate the krewe’s 10th anniversary.
SKIRT
Each Annie also selects material for her skirt liner and can add special touches such as trims and appliqués. Migliara’s skirt is adorned with yellow jackets in honor of her son’s first year at Georgia Tech.
BOOTS
As with their hats, Annies try to stay away from black when choosing the color for their boots. In fact, only 10% of an Annie’s costume can be black.
$900-$1,900
The average costume costs $900 to $1,900, depending on the fabric and finishing touches the Annie chooses. Migliara says her original costume was made from fabric from an old ball gown. Now Annies scour fabric shops on their travels looking for unique and lovely touches to bring back to the krewe. While Annies can get by with just one costume, Migliara says many have three or four. “It becomes a bit of an addiction,” she admits.
Each year the Krewe of Queen Anne’s Revenge participates in the Gasparilla children’s and main parades, the Sant’ Yago Knight Parade and the Rough Riders St. Patrick’s Day Parade. Each year, the Annies choose a charity to support. This year they are supporting the Heart Gallery of Tampa, which raises awareness of Tampa’s foster children and helps them find permanent, loving adoptive families. The Annies donate time throughout the year to help the charity in addition to the money they raise.
