First Time Burner & Modest Dresser
First Time Burner & Modest Dresser
Hello,
It's my first time going to Burning Man this year and I'm a bit lost on what to wear!
For EDC, I mainly dressed in t-shirts and leggings, which was fine and comfortable. Don't think anyone would care much what I'm wearing but I'm wondering if I would look too out of place if I dress too plain for Burning Man?
I want to partake in the self-expression portion so I'm looking for cool/creative but modest Burning Man outfit ideas. I'm sensitive to the sun so would need to cover up in some way or another anyways.
Any stores or websites I can go to for outfit ideas?
Thank you!
It's my first time going to Burning Man this year and I'm a bit lost on what to wear!
For EDC, I mainly dressed in t-shirts and leggings, which was fine and comfortable. Don't think anyone would care much what I'm wearing but I'm wondering if I would look too out of place if I dress too plain for Burning Man?
I want to partake in the self-expression portion so I'm looking for cool/creative but modest Burning Man outfit ideas. I'm sensitive to the sun so would need to cover up in some way or another anyways.
Any stores or websites I can go to for outfit ideas?
Thank you!
- Sham
- Moderator
- Posts: 8635
- Joined: Thu Oct 23, 2008 2:10 am
- Location: The hidden mythical place.....
Re: First Time Burner & Modest Dresser
Welcome elizrawr. You're almost there.
I always like to tell people to dress like themselves. Wear what you feel comfortable with. If you feel like going a bit wild, you can always step out and go outlandish, but it's all up to you.
See you in the dust in a few weeks.
I always like to tell people to dress like themselves. Wear what you feel comfortable with. If you feel like going a bit wild, you can always step out and go outlandish, but it's all up to you.
See you in the dust in a few weeks.
- Lonesomebri
- Posts: 2636
- Joined: Wed Jun 13, 2012 5:54 pm
- Burning Since: 2021
- Camp Name: CAMP THREAT
- Location: NorCal
Re: First Time Burner & Modest Dresser
What do you usually wear when pounding rebar or picking up wind blown trash?
Don't worry about what you wear.
Don't worry about what you wear.
Camp THREAT: Dominating the porta potties 4 years running.
"If this is the best of all possible worlds, what are the others?"
- Voltaire, Candide
"If this is the best of all possible worlds, what are the others?"
- Voltaire, Candide
- BBadger
- Posts: 5939
- Joined: Wed Jan 19, 2011 10:37 am
- Burning Since: 2010
- Location: (near) Portland, OR, USA
Re: First Time Burner & Modest Dresser
It's more important to be comfortable. Nothing makes a person stand out more than looking uncomfortable.
You don't have to dress or undress in any particular manner at BM, and you're not going to stand out for not wearing the stereotypical "burner attire" people tend to expect from people who take selfies. The event does present an opportunity to dress how you want in ways that might not be appropriate in the default world. You'll have to figure out for yourself how you want to express yourself -- or not.
Wearing functional accessories can be a nice place to start. Holsters, hats, belts with pockets, a parasol, etc. They're useful but also add to an outfit, and can be worn with anything. Also handy in the default world.
You should bring warm and cold weather clothing, and make sure your clothing has enough lights on it at night so that you don't get run over.
You don't have to dress or undress in any particular manner at BM, and you're not going to stand out for not wearing the stereotypical "burner attire" people tend to expect from people who take selfies. The event does present an opportunity to dress how you want in ways that might not be appropriate in the default world. You'll have to figure out for yourself how you want to express yourself -- or not.
Wearing functional accessories can be a nice place to start. Holsters, hats, belts with pockets, a parasol, etc. They're useful but also add to an outfit, and can be worn with anything. Also handy in the default world.
You should bring warm and cold weather clothing, and make sure your clothing has enough lights on it at night so that you don't get run over.
"The essence of tyranny is not iron law. It is capricious law." -- Christopher Hitchens
Hate reading my replies? Click here to add me to your plonk (foe) list.
Hate reading my replies? Click here to add me to your plonk (foe) list.
Re: First Time Burner & Modest Dresser
There is no dress code. Be comfortable, be yourself.
You will be surprised at how many people wear normal functional clothing most of the time.
Yeah, there’s costumes and looks and whatnot but most of the photos you see tend to be less than representative of daily-wear.
You will be surprised at how many people wear normal functional clothing most of the time.
Yeah, there’s costumes and looks and whatnot but most of the photos you see tend to be less than representative of daily-wear.
-
- Posts: 974
- Joined: Sun Aug 18, 2013 9:44 pm
- Burning Since: 2014
Re: First Time Burner & Modest Dresser
Once again - Be Comfortable.
You will see burners dressed to the EX-EXTREME, you will see burners dressed in the cloths that they wear at home and in between.
No matter what you wear, you will not be over or under dressed.
Once again and again - Be Comfortable.
You will see burners dressed to the EX-EXTREME, you will see burners dressed in the cloths that they wear at home and in between.
No matter what you wear, you will not be over or under dressed.
Once again and again - Be Comfortable.
Specializing in Calibrating Windsocks -- Any where, Any Time, and Any elevation.
Vidi ego exars.
Vidi ego exars.
Re: First Time Burner & Modest Dresser
Try thumbing through this book of photos. viewtopic.php?f=279&t=53078
Those aren't buttermilk biscuits I'm lying on Savannah
Pictures or it didn't happen Greycoyote
Talent hits a target no one else can hit; Genius hits a target no one else can see.
Arthur Schopenhauer
Pictures or it didn't happen Greycoyote
Talent hits a target no one else can hit; Genius hits a target no one else can see.
Arthur Schopenhauer
- kittyrodriguez
- Posts: 200
- Joined: Tue Jul 19, 2011 11:09 pm
- Burning Since: 2011
- Camp Name: BRC-ESD Fire Camp Station 3
- Location: San Antonio, TX
Re: First Time Burner & Modest Dresser
The whole reason people wear crazy outfits is because they feel that's really an expression of themselves they can't show at home. Don't dress up for someone else, dress how YOU feel. T-shirts and leggings are perfect, especially if that's what makes you comfortable.
I plan elaborate coordinated outfits, and don't wear half of them because it's too hot or I'm too lazy. But planning them is fun for me, so I keep doing it.
The only playa uniform is goggles, masks, a bike, and water. Everything else is just icing on your body.
I plan elaborate coordinated outfits, and don't wear half of them because it's too hot or I'm too lazy. But planning them is fun for me, so I keep doing it.
The only playa uniform is goggles, masks, a bike, and water. Everything else is just icing on your body.

- Eric
- Moderator
- Posts: 9360
- Joined: Wed Sep 03, 2003 9:45 pm
- Burning Since: 2003
- Camp Name: BRC Weekly
- Contact:
Re: First Time Burner & Modest Dresser
I dress for comfort, even though my clothes tend to be bright. PJ bottoms, pantaloons, silk flowy pants for daytime, paired with a tshirt and a shit-ton of sunblock (I'm a ginger), keffiyeh for my head (double-duty head covering & dusk mask that fits over my beard), goggles. Good to go. Night-time is some variation of a suit, which I wear normally.
I'm modest in that my body is covered, I am not subtle.

I'm modest in that my body is covered, I am not subtle.


It's a camping trip in the desert, not the redemption of the fallen world - Cryptofishist
Eric ShutterSlut
Former Ass't Editor & columnist, BRC Weekly
Eric ShutterSlut
Former Ass't Editor & columnist, BRC Weekly
- AntiM
- Moderator
- Posts: 20228
- Joined: Wed Mar 24, 2004 5:23 am
- Burning Since: 2001
- Camp Name: Anti M's Home for Wayward Art
- Location: Wild, Wild West
- Contact:
Re: First Time Burner & Modest Dresser
Dress for comfort, and if you feel too plain, visit one of the many costume camps to pick up accessories or even a whole new outfit!
Re: First Time Burner & Modest Dresser
If you genuinely want some flair, hit a thrift store or a ROSS or a TJ Maxx and get something sparkly that won't shed. Or sometimes a huge, wide scarf or useful shemagh can pull double-duty as a pretty accessory, so if you have a favorite color, get some practical stuff that's pretty.
My first year I felt underdressed, but mostly just on Burn night when people had fun coats and hats, which are good bets because they can be worn every day (the nights can be cold). It wasn't that I felt outclassed or out of step--it's that I didn't realize I could be my usual, weird outlandish self. (This was a long time ago, before ePlaya was around to let me know.)
There are TONS of people who dress down at the Burn, frankly. Many of them are actually literally on a work shift to make the event happen! Many of the volunteers wear black, khaki and yellow uniforms that are pretty staid.
So--wear what you want to, but if there's something (or several things) you'd like to take a chance on, bring them.
My first year I felt underdressed, but mostly just on Burn night when people had fun coats and hats, which are good bets because they can be worn every day (the nights can be cold). It wasn't that I felt outclassed or out of step--it's that I didn't realize I could be my usual, weird outlandish self. (This was a long time ago, before ePlaya was around to let me know.)
There are TONS of people who dress down at the Burn, frankly. Many of them are actually literally on a work shift to make the event happen! Many of the volunteers wear black, khaki and yellow uniforms that are pretty staid.
So--wear what you want to, but if there's something (or several things) you'd like to take a chance on, bring them.

*** The Burning Man Survival Guide ***
"I must've lost it when I was twerking at the trash fence." -- BBadger
"Snark away, ePlaya, you magnificent bastards." -- McStrangle
"I must've lost it when I was twerking at the trash fence." -- BBadger
"Snark away, ePlaya, you magnificent bastards." -- McStrangle
- lucky420
- Posts: 9353
- Joined: Fri Mar 12, 2010 9:47 am
- Burning Since: 2021
- Camp Name: Dye with Dignity
- Location: Reno, NV
Re: First Time Burner & Modest Dresser
Yes, I picked up a bright orange sun dress last year at a camp across the street. Ugly thing but with the excessive heat we had I ended up wearing it for pretty much a week straight
Oh my god, it's HUGE!
Re: First Time Burner & Modest Dresser

Last edited by +KLOVE+ on Tue Aug 14, 2018 6:39 pm, edited 1 time in total.
I love donuts
Re: First Time Burner & Modest Dresser
A friend of mine wore bee keeper outfits every day. All different colors and sizes - long arms/pants at night and short sleeve/mesh ones during the day. Literally all she wore were several bee keeper outfits. It was amazing, especially when we ran into a camp that were all dressed like bee's.
Long story short...wear whatever makes you comfortable, add some lights and maybe a little bling here and there, a fur coat for night time, solid boots and you're good.
Also....seriously don't look at Pinterest or random Instagram pages of half naked chicks with no dust on them, perfect make up and everything in place. While I enjoyed the half naked everything...that shit isn't real and it's not what it's about.
Long story short...wear whatever makes you comfortable, add some lights and maybe a little bling here and there, a fur coat for night time, solid boots and you're good.
Also....seriously don't look at Pinterest or random Instagram pages of half naked chicks with no dust on them, perfect make up and everything in place. While I enjoyed the half naked everything...that shit isn't real and it's not what it's about.
I love donuts
Re: First Time Burner & Modest Dresser
I must get bees now.
Have to wait for winter - heavy Sigh.
Have to wait for winter - heavy Sigh.