Knee deep in fun fur and EL wire
August 16, 2012 1:01 PM   Subscribe

What are your recommendations for Burning Man clothes for a female?

Looking for:

1. General pointers and pieces of advice, and/or

2. Links to websites with great stuff. Difficulty level: must be inexpensive, and have overnight shipping. I got a ticket at the last minute and decided to go.

--

Already know the basics: wear sunblock, goggles and mask; no feathers; carry water; wear lights from all directions, etc. I've also searched eplaya. I'm asking here also because Metafilter people give excellent advice.

Examples of what has been useful so far: cheap women's costumey/sexy websites like spurst.com to wear dancing and during the day, military surplus stores for cheap functional and night-time clothes. Any other ideas? I like all sorts of aesthetics, from standard neon raver wear, to large silly bunny costumes, to androgynous/menswear, pajamas, dark/goth/bdsm, etc.

I have time to do a little clothing construction, but will inevitably have to buy some items also because the event is a week away. If you suggest clothing construction or fabrics, please let it be simple.

Thanks!!
posted by kellybird to Clothing, Beauty, & Fashion (23 answers total) 8 users marked this as a favorite
 
Go to a consignment shop, buy cheap dresses and fun accessories for the day time. I personally wore cheap and tacky spaghetti strap summer nightgowns day in and day out. Many people wore more exciting things and did really creative solutions to simple things you would find at a 2nd hand store, such as gladiator belts made out of a bunch of belts, big Asian rice picking hats held on with a nice ornamental bow. LED wired coats that animate images at night or simply nothing at all. I saw some cool Mad Max type outfits, flashy ravers, hippies dressed like really rich hippies. Many people put some big money and time into some incredible and elaborate costumes, but honestly, it’s all about feeling comfortable with yourself.. At night time it can get very cold so get yourself a cheap coat, faux fur is very popular, but anything that is interesting is and warm is what you will wear nightly. It’s going to be a very dusty year, so unless you have access to running water wrap up that hair, put it in buns, braids, pony tail. Oh, shoes, you don’t want open toe shoes due to the alkaline level in the sand, so bring lots of socks, and some boots that you feel comfortable walking long distances in. Stop by Funtown at Illumination Village, and my friends will give you a nice espresso. Unfortunately I am not going due to the scalper situation this year. Have a blast
posted by brinkzilla at 2:06 PM on August 16, 2012


My normal desert wear is stretchy cotton fabrics that I can hand wash easily if need be. You will be filthy within seconds, so wear things that are compatible with a talc-like layer of dust. It's supposed to be insanely dusty this year, to boot. I like strapless shift dresses and I usually shopped at the thrift store. Retro swim suits, cutoffs, 70s halter tops, long swaths of fabric to wrap around my head, use as a scarf, or wear as a sarong were my staples. You can't ever go wrong with colorful fabric for looking dramatic, even in a duststorm. If you wash it, it dries instantly. If you're hot, soak it down and you have a personal air conditioner. I liked the fabric as headgear because it never blew off my head in a storm, and I could wrap it around my face as well.

Another staple is a bag to carry everything you need when out all day. The military surplus store is good for this.

Personally I think the stuff on spurst looks cheap, poorly made, and uncomfortable. There will be people wearing some amazing clothes there, and people who have honed being comfortable and prepared down to a science. You'll look more like a veteran if you are not wearing a tacky costume from an online shop. Better to have cool bling and body paint and thrift store oddities.
posted by oneirodynia at 2:07 PM on August 16, 2012 [3 favorites]


I'd say you have a pretty good handle on things, frankly. But I can't tell from your post or any of your other comments where you might be based presently. Do you have a good fashion district nearby? Los Angeles has a whole row of fabric stores downtown that give good discounts to Burners in search of awesome fabrics.

A few things to note: It is an exceptionally bad year for dust and high winds. Like, porta potty-destroyingly bad (according to one photo I saw from the Playa a few days ago). So that means you want not just any goggles, but considerably well-sealed ones. And not just dust masks, but perhaps some cool bandanas instead, or else masks with ventilators on the front, since you could be wearing them for hours at a time.

They are promising triple digits during the daytime. Last year it NEVER got cold, even in the middle of the night, and I ended up not wearing about 75% of the clothes I packed. Other years, it's been so freezing at night that I've worn a fur suit to bed over pajamas. Nobody seems to be saying what the night conditions are yet, but make sure you have a diverse portfolio of outfits to choose from.
posted by mykescipark at 2:09 PM on August 16, 2012 [2 favorites]


brinkzilla's hair advice is very good, btw. I never had a problem with alkali dust and went barefoot often, but some people are very affected by it.
posted by oneirodynia at 2:10 PM on August 16, 2012


I'm not a woman, so take my advice witha grain of salt, but the clothes I keep coming back to are excellently made vintage clothes. Anything that isn't made well is going to either be extremely uncomfortable or get destroyed quickly.

I'm going to be at 4:45 and I serving liquor to humans. Stop by!
posted by Freen at 2:25 PM on August 16, 2012


I'm on the other side of the country and have never been, but I'm a regular reader of the excellent Fashion for Nerds ("Bringing fab to the lab"), whose proprietor, Audi, is a Burning Man regular and has a number of posts on the subject.

The most relevant post for your purposes is "Burning Man: The Fashion."

Some tips and observations from Audi:

* "Many people shower right out in the open because setting up an enclosed shower structure can be such a pain, and when the water truck goes by to spray the roads (it keeps the dust down), people will just whip off their clothes and run behind it to cool off."

* "If you really want to enjoy yourself fully, you just have to embrace the dust, because by the end of the week everyone and everything is pretty much covered with it."

* "Most places that serve drinks ask you to bring your own cup, so it's important to have one on hand at all times. This is one of the things that makes harnesses and belts such handy accessories; they give you a place to attach all your stuff."

* "The only time I've really felt out of place at Burning Man was when I showed up in my boring, unimaginative street clothes (literally jeans, a t-shirt and sneakers, that I wore because they were comfortable to travel in). In a place where anything goes, it's not about fitting in so much as it's about putting yourself out there and contributing something to the community."
posted by virago at 2:28 PM on August 16, 2012 [2 favorites]


I think everyone else has a handle on the "fun" suggestions, but the best purchase I made my first year was 4 packs of cheap black men's tanktops in black and grey. I never had to worry about ruining them, they were comfortable as all hell, and sexy in a menswear hobo kind of way. The first couple years, I brought something furry and sexy, but after always veering back to cargo pants/skirt and tanktops, my outfits generally fall in the "comfortable post apocalyptic" style now.

The best hair style I've ever had was braiding all of my hair with yarn, though! Comfortable, kept away from my face, and my hair was in surprisingly good shape after a week.

Have at least one pair of very comfortable, and fashionable shoes. Be wary if they have zippers.
posted by sawdustbear at 2:28 PM on August 16, 2012


er, that "cheap black men's tanktops in black and grey." sentence was worded poorly and redundantly. I meant to say "cheap black and grey men's tanktops," not imply that there are certain tanktops made for black men.
posted by sawdustbear at 2:30 PM on August 16, 2012 [2 favorites]


* "Many people shower right out in the open because setting up an enclosed shower structure can be such a pain, and when the water truck goes by to spray the roads (it keeps the dust down), people will just whip off their clothes and run behind it to cool off."

You should not do this. That water is non-potable, the org advises staying out of it:

"Participants should remember that the water we use on the roads is not potable, and they risk their health when they bathe in it. "

They draw the water from the local hot springs generally, but there is no telling what kind of water has been in that truck before the event. Sometimes they add a polymer to the water to help solidify the dust on the roads before and early on in the event. People have been covered in goo following the water truck.

I also saw a person being carried away after slipping and falling in the mud during a water truck shower. So if you do decide to indulge, watch your footing.
posted by oneirodynia at 2:42 PM on August 16, 2012 [1 favorite]


"The only time I've really felt out of place at Burning Man was when I showed up in my boring, unimaginative street clothes (literally jeans, a t-shirt and sneakers, that I wore because they were comfortable to travel in)

Look, costumes are fun and often spectacular out there and I've worn my share of them on the playa (full body purple bear suit anyone?) but over the last decade I increasingly find that the stuff that I wear at Burning Man is the stuff that's comfortable and functional. As a guy this has trended to cargo shorts and pants from the surplus store (often in bright camo colors), a sport coat with pockets , and dare I say it: sneakers!

By all means bring costumes and accessories and all manner of fun stuff (hitting Michaels craft store on the way to BRC always turns up random stuff that becomes awesome when attached to clothing or bikes etc). BUT please please please be kind to yourself and make sure you have comfy clothes and SHOES. You will bike and walk and dance and at some point you may find yourself miserable if you only have funky platform boots and bondage outfits.

Bring socks, bandanas, and make sure you have a change of clothes in a ziploc bag to put on after your first off-playa shower.

And don't let yourself develop an attitude that people not in costume "aren't participating"--the people that I know who work the hardest to build Burning Man (artists, DPW) often look like they're "not dressed up" because they aren't, they're working and not everyone comes to BRC for the costume (Google "Sparkle Pony").

You're going to have a mindblowing time and it looks like you've done your homework and will be prepared. Major kudos for taking the leap at the last minute!!
posted by donovan at 2:46 PM on August 16, 2012 [1 favorite]


And seconding oneirodynia's comments on the water trucks. They keep the dust down but you don't want that water sneaking into your body.
posted by donovan at 2:49 PM on August 16, 2012


these are all great suggestions! just wanted to chime in with a warning about bicycles: if you're going to be on a bike, wear pants and skirts that will not get caught in the pedals, wheels, or chain. billowy pants and flowy skirts are great for walking/lounging around in hot weather, but they will get snarled in your bike and bring you straight to the ground. not that i've had any experience with such sartorial disasters.
posted by guybrush_threepwood at 3:10 PM on August 16, 2012 [1 favorite]


I'm not much help when it comes to fashion, but on practical matters:

- Hat: I'm not much of a hat wearer, but for burn events in hard sun, I wear a ridiculous sombrero/cowboy-hat thing that is practically a portable shade structure, and I think I'm better off for it.

- Shoes/boots: you're going to be on your feet running around a lot, possibly away from camp for a solid day at a stretch, so you want shoes that are sturdy and comfortable or you'll be hating life and missing out on fun stuff because you can barely walk. If you've already got something appropriate in your wardrobe, take that. Otherwise you might need to take a chance on something with excellent recommendations, even though there's not a lot of time to field-test them.

You've probably already heard that you should pack your garments in separate gallon ziploc bags to keep them dust-free. At the very least, do this for socks. Also ziploc away a set of street clothes for post-exodus. Zippers can get clogged with playa dust; astroglide can unclog them.

Finally, here's a list of burner-friendly businesses; there's a long list of clothing sellers.

Have a ball. Wish I were going.
posted by adamrice at 3:10 PM on August 16, 2012 [2 favorites]


great advice so far. here's my "black rock costumes" inspiration board on pinterest for some more ideas. I like sort of an elfin post-apoc look, with lots of hoods, big chunky combat boots, shredded and woven secondhand shirts, tattered scarves, dangly stuff tied at the waist, fingerless gloves, scrap skirts, torn tights and fishnets, etc. I made most of my costume pieces this year, often by altering stuff from thrift stores. just go crazy hitting up thrift shops -- you'll be surprised by what inspires you.

this'll be my third year, & I've learned anything I bring that's too elaborate or even slightly uncomfortable doesn't get worn. as others have said, it's either super hot or pretty darn cold, and you're walking and biking miles a day, so comfort trumps all else. buy your boots half a size too large (your feet will swell) and wear insoles -- I am in love with these things. definitely bring stuff for blisters because they can ruin your trip, especially if the playa's too soft for bike-riding. also bring a second comfy pair of boots or shoes. they will save your life when one pair's killing you.

I have to disagree that it never got cold last year -- on burn night I was frozen. went back twice for more layers & still didn't make it til sunrise. you should easily find a good coat at a thrift store; mine are all heavy faux fur & leather, but cost just $20-$30. everything looks better covered in dust.

have on you at all times: blistex, sunscreen, flashlight, goggles (both tinted & clear, for night), respirator/mask, camelbak filled with water, your own cup, something to light you up at night.

also, make sure to stop by this year's metafilter meetup!
posted by changeling at 4:18 PM on August 16, 2012 [2 favorites]


Disclaimer: not a woman; experienced camper. A couple things stand out when I look back at the few pictures of me on the playa in 1996 (one, two). In one, I'm sleeping during a portion of the day because it tends to be quieter during the day and hotter. Note the hard to find t-shirt of the NeXT version of Adobe Illustrator: white cotton. Note the sunglasses even while I'm sleeping. Most importantly, note the hat. Hats a very important to keep your skull from getting baked. Sunscreen, of course, but cloth is a much more reliable sunscreen than chemicals. Two (and I'm glad I don't have that belly anymore), it's the afternoon and I'm under a tarp. I dumped some precious water down my body (note the evidence on my shorts) to cool off in the shade. Note that my hair is tied up in a tight braid. I kept it like that most of the weekend.

I approach camping in a very practical manner for dress. When I was out and about, I wore a fisherman's vest (which you can just see in two on the left side of the chair I'm sitting on - you can make out the mesh). Why? A pocket for everything and everything in its pocket: matches, knife, pliers, basic first aid, water, bandana, well-wrapped snacks, some writing instruments, paper, maglight, sunscreen, lip balm, and so on.

Night was when I allowed myself more leeway in dress. Some people in our group picked up some surplus windbreakers that had FBI emblazoned on the backs in huge, conspicuous letters. One guy dressed like a cow. Another wore full formal wear. I had a white jumpsuit (if I had my beret on, I was told that I looked like a desert Guardian Angel) on some nights, others I wore a white Italian waiter's jacket which inevitably got sprayed with the contents of Cyalume light sticks. That stuff never came out. Think of your clothing as likely disposable. Light sticks are a good primary or backup light source.

I guess the best way to sum is to dress however you will make yourself happy and comfortable, but keep an eye on practicality. You are in an environment that is harsh and unforgiving and ultimately, you are responsible for your own safety and well-being. I saw women who dressed in the full range from jaybird nothing to art installation. I lean towards practical because it's my bent.

Have fun. I know I did.
posted by plinth at 5:09 PM on August 16, 2012


changeling, if you're not already viewing twistedlamb's blog, you ought to be. :) A little darker than your Pinterest, but lots of overlap.
posted by oneirodynia at 7:12 PM on August 16, 2012 [1 favorite]


I'm not a burner, but you might like this 10$ lace back tank for when you want some extra front coverage but it's too damn hot for anything constrictive like a bathing suit or real clothing.
posted by anaelith at 7:19 PM on August 16, 2012 [1 favorite]


>"Participants should remember that the water we use on the roads is not potable, and they risk their health when they bathe in it. "

Good to know -- I'm not in a position to vet Burning Man recommendations for accuracy, and I would hate to hear that my second-hand suggestion had endangered someone's health.

>And don't let yourself develop an attitude that people not in costume "aren't participating"--the people that I know who work the hardest to build Burning Man (artists, DPW) often look like they're "not dressed up" because they aren't, they're working and not everyone comes to BRC for the costume (Google "Sparkle Pony").

Just to clarify: I have never been to Burning Man (nor, for a lot of reasons mostly pertaining to a phobia of crowds, am I likely to). So I have no dog in this fight. Please feel free to take this blogger's observation -- "In a place where anything goes, it's not about fitting in so much as it's about putting yourself out there and contributing something to the community" -- with a ton of salt.
posted by virago at 8:28 PM on August 16, 2012


Nearly all my clothing for the playa came from the thrift stores. Like many people, I ended up literally wearing only a handful of clothes over and over again. Example: ankle length polyester purple giraffe print nightie. Two hours after I lost my Burning Man virginity, I had my friend slash it to mid thigh. I wore that sucker ALL the time. I was able to wash it at dusk and by morning it would be dry and ready again. I also found a hot pink ruffly mini skirt and paired it with plain gray v neck tshirts, some lovingly bedazzled and shredded, others plain until I handed people sharpies so that they could write on me. You don't have to always go all out. It's more important to be comfy than crazily kitted out.
posted by HeyAllie at 8:49 PM on August 16, 2012


A friend of mine that's going this year just showed me a picture of a glow fur - like a hooded sweatshirt with glowing fur around the edges. I'm not sure the one he showed me came from the site I linked (they have hats and tails and all sorts of stuff). Something like that falls wide of 'practical' attire, but holy crap it was awesome.
posted by youngergirl44 at 9:34 PM on August 16, 2012


As everyone else has said, thrift stores are the best place to shop. Clothes that can be combined in unexpected ways and worn multiple ways are great. I know people who only wear swathes of cloth, which seems to work surprisingly well. If you can find a smallish bag that's comfortable, or a cup, flask, or thermos that's somehow wearable, you'll be really happy about that.

Watch out for the textures of your clothing and make sure it's stuff you're comfortable walking and biking in. I had one amazing '80s prom dress with a tulle underskirt that shredded the skin on my thighs because it was so rough and my skin was unusually dry. That was terrible. Soft clothing is good. Also watch out for things that will shed. Sequins look awesome, but you do not want to be that asshole leaving a trail of sequins all over the playa, so make sure that if you wear sequins, they're the kind that won't shed.
posted by dizziest at 9:46 PM on August 16, 2012 [1 favorite]


Best answer: My preferred daytime outfit is tutu and bikini. I'm not very crafty, but no-sew tutus are basically foolproof and only take a few minutes to make. You can even make your own bikini if you have some cool fabric lying around. (While it's always a good idea to pad your bike seat with faux fur or something, this is ESPECIALLY important if you're wearing a tutu. Yeesh.)

You can't really see it in the first pic, but I have a long strip of old lacy curtain fabric that I like to wear for dust protection (better pic here). It's prettier than a dust mask and it doubles as a scarf at night.

Legwarmers and armwarmers or gauntlets are good for nighttime; Etsy has lots. Sheikh Shoes is good for cheap boots. Definitely be prepared for everything you bring to get ruined (I prefer "playafied"), especially footwear and outerwear. And plan to wear layers at night.
posted by désoeuvrée at 10:51 PM on August 16, 2012 [2 favorites]


Oh, and I've also had good luck in the Last Pairs and Sale sections of ElectriqueBoutique.com. They have some awesome deals like these Demonia boots marked down from $90 to $20, and basics like bikini tops, fishnets, hot pants, etc.

Also, El-Wire is useful for nighttime (drape yourself, drape your bike), and I like these LED necklaces which last longer and are less MOOPy than the disposable glowstick-type ones, although the latter are good for sticking in your bike spokes (either the bracelets or the necklaces, I forget which...I think the bracelets).
posted by désoeuvrée at 11:09 AM on August 17, 2012 [1 favorite]


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