THERE'S no excuse for bashfulness when the carnival comes around.  

Think head-to-toe matching prints, colourful waist-length braids and headwraps...

You may or may have not seen the pictures of native Bajan, Rihanna, dressed in a bejewelled and revealing costume as she partied with a (strangely) topless Lewis Hamilton at the Barbados Carnival last week. True to tradition the carnival was lavish, fun and exhibitionist - a celebration of Caribbean culture set to a calypso soundtrack with lots of 'whining' (a Caribbean dance). 

While Manchester's annual carnival is considerably smaller in size than its Caribbean counterparts, the spirit of the islands returned to Alexandra Park this weekend (8-9 August). Local dancers of all ages paraded through Moss Side wearing teeny-tiny, peacock bright costumes. 

Party-goers opted crayola coloured attire; think head-to-toe matching prints, colourful waist-length braids and dreadlocks, traditional headwraps and proud flag waving.  

See some of our favourite outfits below: