Outfits & Attire

Metamorphoses: Daytime Outfits for The Burn

Metamorphoses: Daytime Outfits for The Burn

For the yet to be christened burner, and even those with some experience, choosing outfits can be time consuming and perhaps a bit stressful. Choosing a wardrobe is hard enough, before you even consider that there are lots of events like the Billion Bunny March, White Wednesday, and Tutu Tuesday that you only hear about once on playa. Of course you could probably borrow a set of bunny ears or a spare tutu, but if you're anything like me, you prefer to be prepared. It's all about self-reliance right?

Metamorphoses: Nighttime Outfits for The Burn

Metamorphoses: Nighttime Outfits for The Burn

Temperatures can drop significantly at night on the Black Rock Desert, and while you may be smart have pack a playa coat, you won't want to wear a heavy coat the entire time you are out. So I've organized a variety of outfits based on events, themes, and color that will be sexy, but warm.

Metamorphoses: Women's Outfits for The Burn 2019

Every year the org that puts on the burn releases a new theme that is meant to shape the art and inspiration for the festival. One of the most accessible ways to participate in the theme is to create outfits based on that year's topic.

Metamorphoses offers a variety of color options from beautiful butterflies to a phoenix rising from the ashes. Below are some ideas based on this year's theme:

Make Your Own Wings

Don’t wait for someone else to come along and make you change. Take yourself to the highest of heights, put on your wings, and soar. Have fun with this transformational rainbow butterfly outfit: 

You First Must Burn

In order for a phoenix to be reborn, it first must burn. All transformations come with their pain, but rising from the ashes, triumphant, is something we can all understand.

Always Be Yourself

Unless you can be a unicorn, then you should be a unicorn. Transform yourself into one of the most fun mythical creatures with this holographic unicorn ensemble.

You’re An Animal

Perhaps your next transformation should be an homage to your spirit animal! Channel your inner shaman and the energy of your spirit guides with an animal inspired outfit. Since my spirit animal is the dragonfly, you can see what I’ll be wearing below.

Don’t know what your spirit animal is? Take this fun quiz and find out.  

Put The "Y" in Cyborg

You were once human, but now you've been assimilated. Use your superior hive mind to solve the most important question, "where's the good music?"

Metamorphoses: Top Ten Fashion Trends at The Burn

Metamorphoses: Top Ten Fashion Trends at The Burn

Whether you opt to be nude, or you get styled to the neck, the citizens of black rock desert love to express themselves through their fashion. While the styles have changed over the years, and some things like tutus are a playa staple that you can not leave at home, other looks come and go. If you want to have the latest looks when you arrive at the burn, here are the top ten fashion trends for the burn in 2018.

What to Wear to The Burn 2019

The Do's and Don'ts of Playa Fashion

To some The Burns feels like a no restrictions, no holds barred, adult playground where the rules don't apply. But even in the chaos and magic of the playa there are some guidelines you should follow. Some of these are based on following certain principles and some are based on the harsh conditions that you find in the Black Rock Desert. So here are the fashion do's and don'ts:

DO Express Yourself

This festival is not about looking like everyone else. It is about freedom of expression. I know there are lots of fashion ideas here on this site that look like "traditional burner": fishnets, holsters, scarves, etc. but that doesn't mean you should dress like everyone else. Find the look that makes you feel fully expressed. 

DON'T Wear Glitter of Gems

Items that fall of your body or outfit are a no-go at the burn, starting with glitter and gems. You might be thinking, "well I'll just use biodegradable glitter," but this is a leave no trace festival, which means you don't leave anything, including things that biodegrade. Just imagine that someone, weeks after you are gone, is pulling your super cute glitter or gems off the playa with tweezers. NO JOKE. If your outfit has gems or glitter that seem to come off easily, leave it at home. And PLEASE know that anything hot glued to your outfit will likely come off in the heat, so only use epoxies that can withstand the climate like E6000. A good alternative to these items are flash tats and funky makeup alternatives. I've included a few below:

Check out the makeup section for more fun ideas.

DO Be Comfortable

You will find all ages, sizes, genders, etc. at the burn, as well as all forms of self-expression. The best way to be comfortable in the mix is to wear exactly what feels good to you. You can be entirely dressed up and glamorous, dressed down and hippie, or not dressed at all. The thing you want to avoid is dressing the way you think you should be dressing. 

Looking for inspiration? Check out our collection of men's and women's outfits.

DON'T Wear Feathers

I repeat, DO NOT WEAR FEATHERS. These little bits of fluff are a hazard to the playa, and nearly impossible to keep contained. Years ago people wore cheap feathers boa and left trails of M.O.O.P. behind them. In 2012 the festival banned feathers, but then eased the ban for items that had strongly secured feathers. There are hundreds of amazing ways to accessorize, so leave the feathers at home. 

DO Explore The Theme

Every year the festival has a new theme that is meant to inspire art, fashion, and conversation. Every year I create or buy one new outfit that is inspired by the theme, and this year Metamorphoses is no different. You can check out complete outfit ideas for men and women, or just a collection of ideas for women

Looking for more ideas?

Men's Outfit Inspiration for White Wednesday at The Burn

Officially, Wednesday is just another day on the playa, but for lots of burners Wednesdays are for wearing white. Participation ranges from the subtle to the outrageous. So grab some white wings, a white tank top, some white boots, and show just how angelic you can be. 

*One caveat. The items below are meant to be for inspiration. Of course you can shop online, but I truly hope you will also search your local Goodwill and attend some clothing swaps as well. 

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I, Robot Outfit Ideas for Women

I, Robot Outfit Ideas for Women

There are so many ways you can interpret this year's Burning Man theme: I, Robot. If you want to see some complete outfits check out my blog with a variety of interpretations for I,Robot. 

Below I've pulled together some ideas and base pieces for building a variety of different robot themed outfits. 

Women's Outfit Inspiration for White Wednesday at The Burn

Women's Outfit Inspiration for White Wednesday at The Burn

Officially, Wednesday is just another day on the playa, but for lots of burners Wednesdays are for wearing white. Participation ranges from the subtle to the outrageous. So grab some white wings, a white bikini, some white boots, and show just how angelic you can be. 

I, Robot: Men's Outfits for The Burn 2018

I, Robot: Men's Outfits for The Burn 2018

Every year Burning Man releases a new theme that is meant to inspire the art and inspiration for the burn that year. One of the most fun ways to participate in the theme is to create outfits based on that year's theme.

While I, Robot might inspire images of tin man and C3PO, and who doesn't love a shiny outfit, the organizers have asked people to be inspired by current and future technologies (including robots). 

Choosing the Best Goggles for The Burn

Burning Man is legendary for its dust storms that sweep across the Black Rock Desert, sometimes without warning. Winds can range up 80 mph (130km/h) creating total whiteout conditions, especially if you are be outside the city. Exposure to the elements at Burning Man can be serious, and that's why the right pair of goggles is something that can't be left at home as you prepare for that thing in the desert.

The good news is, most burns only experience a handful of serious whiteouts, and goggles aren't often needed as anything other than an accessory. 

When dust storms do hit, they can happen during the day or the night, so most of my friends and I have a three pack that includes goggles that are tinted or clear for night and day.

This three pack even include a yellow pair for low lights conditions, which can make a difference when the lighting changes in the middle of the day.

Dust storms are no joke, and while they aren't a constant, you should have your goggles with you AT ALL TIMES. Preparedness is literally the different between a great burn, and one that lands you in a medic tent. 

Of course this three pack of motorcycle goggles are very utilitarian, so if you want something more fashionable you can consider trying a pair of ski goggles or other funky motorcycle goggles

I personally find goggles to be less than comfortable in the heat and spend most of my days in sunglasses. I typically recommend that burners bring two or three pairs of cheap sunglasses and one pair of nice goggles that can be taken out when things get dusty.

Here are a few of my favorite sunglasses:

Of course, if you want to personalize your goggles check out my blog on how to add gems to them.

Dusty DIY: How to Add El Wire to Your Playa Coat

Dusty DIY: How to Add El Wire to Your Playa Coat

I searched high and low to find the best instructions to add El Wire to my new (Goodwill scored) playa coat. When I didn't find anything simple I decided it was time to write my own blog.As I've mentioned in previous blogs, having a long, very warm playa coat is critical for late night excursions, but sometimes you are just going out for a few hours, and hauling around a huge coat that is unnecessarily warm just doesn't make sense.

Playa Guide: Five Fashion Staples for Women

Playa Guide: Five Fashion Staples for Women

When it went to my first Burn I was fashion aspirations were overly ambitious to say the least. Contrary to what I thought my days would be like, I found myself spending most of my days in outfits that were more comfortable, and easy to bike in. So below I'm sharing the five staple fashion items that I wear burn after burn, even as my handmade pieces come and go. 

Radical Ritual: Top 5 Women's Outfit Ideas for The Burn

Radical Ritual: Top 5 Women's Outfit Ideas for The Burn

This year's art theme is Radical Ritual, and according to the organizers, they are inviting "participants to create interactive rites, ritual processions, elaborate images, shrines, icons, temples, and visions.”

What better way to participate in the art at Burning Man than donning costumes that pays homage to the sacred and the sacrilegious.

Playa Guide: How to Stay Warm

Playa Guide: How to Stay Warm

When it comes to weather, most people who have never been to Burning Man think about how to deal with the heat. And what they don't realize is that there is a good chance they will also have to deal with the cold. Before you fill up your suitcase with bikinis and tank tops, you need to consider how you are going to stay warm when the temperatures drop into the 40s and your shivering in deep playa.