I just want to wear normal clothes

[MrSerious]

Hi Everyone. Forgive me for posting here, but I have done a lot of research about BM, this being my first year. I have research shelters, generators, food options, grey water disposal, even the ideal cup to bring and best PSI to inflate my bike tires to.

But here's the thing, I just want to wear normal clothes. I don't want to wear a costume or a kilt or a funny hat or weird glasses. I want to wear comfortable and functional clothes that will help me stay comfortable and safe in a harsh desert environment.

My question is, will I be welcomed into your community if I don't dress up?

[Savannah]

Yes, you will be welcome. Plenty of people here on this site wear "normal" clothes at the Burn, and some of them are building and constructing elaborate things, working during the event, or contributing in ways that make being physically sparkly difficult. Of the first two most "normally dressed" friends that come to mind, one runs a camp and fixes bikes and art cars for hours every day of the event, and the other works shift after shift for Gate/Perimeter/Exodus. Sometimes they wear a little flair, but it's not every day.

Judging from what I've read of their experiences (and others'), there is occasionally a Look or a flippant comment from some sparklepony who has no idea what others bring to the table beyond the surface, and mistakenly believes that wearing a tutu or fun fur is the only way to participate (because they feel that being looked at is THEIR contribution).

People who comment negatively on anyone else's lack of "party clothes" should be called out for poor manners at minimum, and possibly told to jump up a flagpole. So be ready to either do that, or ignore it.

However, you might not hear anything at all.

And if you DO like fun clothes but just don't have the budget or ability, a fun warm coat, hat, or big shemagh/scarf are practical items and give you the most mileage. So will lightweight linen-y pajama pants.

[VultureChow]

There are plenty of people who dress in simple, functional clothing. Shorts, t-shirts etc. Comfort is key. But there are assholes everywhere, even at burning man. I recommend carrying a dead walkie-talkie so you can call in for backup if someone calls you a narc or a tourist.

If you go by the videos and photos, it can look like everyone is a 23yo girl in nothing but gold hot pants. That is not the case.

Check out out the 2013 yearbook that just came out. http://blackrockyearbook.com/

Yes there's naked people and craziness, but also people in regular street clothes.

[VultureChow]

And if you DO like fun clothes but just don't have the budget or ability, a fun warm coat, hat, or big shemagh/scarf are practical items and give you the most mileage. So will lightweight linen-y pajama pants.

And if you find yourself wishing you had something fun and different mid week, there are camps that will help you out with that. I do recommend attempting one weird or fun item. Something you might not normally wear. Tutu tuesday is a good intro. You can wear it over your shorts or jeans or whatever.

Or your night time coat. You should light yourself anyway. Experiment with lighting up your coat.

[Aurelia]

Umm, just what are normal clothes for you ???

xoA

[tamarakay]

This year I am all about comfort. Lots of pajamas. Like vc said, just light yourself up at night and the rest of it flows.

[Sic Pup]

I recommend carrying a dead walkie-talkie so you can call in for backup if someone calls you a narc or a tourist.

Microphone for Simon Cowell?

He he.........

[The Rod]

Suggestion: Maybe bring some costumes/silly clothes just in case you decide you might want to try dressing up after spending a few days in the dust.

One of my best buddies finally made it to the playa last year. This was a guy that for years and years would make fun of me for my love of costumes and flamboyancy. He could not understand why I would ever want to spend so much time and energy just to look like a weirdo. And then he was at Burning Man. And then all of a sudden Mr. Normal Clothes wanted to dress up, and for the rest of the week he was raiding my costume tent and wearing all of my furs. Not saying you are anything like my buddy, but if you do decide you want to some flair I've found it's always better to have some flair and not need it than the other way around...

[Savannah]

Suggestion: Maybe bring some costumes/silly clothes just in case you decide you might want to try dressing up after spending a few days in the dust.

One of my best buddies finally made it to the playa last year. This was a guy that for years and years would make fun of me for my love of costumes and flamboyancy. He could not understand why I would ever want to spend so much time and energy just to look like a weirdo. And then he was at Burning Man. And then all of a sudden Mr. Normal Clothes wanted to dress up, and for the rest of the week he was raiding my costume tent and wearing all of my furs. Not saying you are anything like my buddy, but if you do decide you want to some flair I've found it's always better to have some flair and not need it than the other way around...

True.

And just because you bring something doesn't mean you HAVE to wear it.

Nor does the special something have to be fishnet or fur or tulle. People are out there in suits and ballgowns and Hawaiian shirts, too.

[ygmir]

if you listen to Savannah and Vulture Chow, you're golden.

note, it's "Your Burn"....no one elses. there are no rules, for a reason. You do, what You want!
Own it! Screw em if they say anything! at times, no costume, is a costume in itself!!

you are there to please no one, but yourself.
Do that, as you may.

[Aurelia]

YaY Yggy !

Succinct and perfectly phrased.

originally I was all into the preparing of it and for it .
That is following my first year after it moved to BRC; when I just went with my car and a borrowed tent.
But then my home became ALL about prep to the exclusion of normal
because I do believe in polarity of healthy living, I am back to just me.
maybe

xoA.

[TT120]

I wear "normal" clothes most of the time and nobody has ever said anything to me about it. I do bring a costume or two and a tutu that I wear sometimes but for the most part, I wear comfortable desert clothing.

[lucky420]

Wear whatever you want.
if someone gives you shit, tell them to "FUCK OFF"

easy peasy

[Eric]

Wear whatever you want.
if someone gives you shit, tell them to "FUCK OFF"

easy peasy

This - though personally I would say "FUCK YER BURN" to them.
Your Burn, do it your way.

[FossaFerox]

Normal clothes are fine. It's all about being yourself and being comfortable, after all. That being said, I would recommend staying away from clothes with giant brand logos if possible.

A plain t-shirt I wouldn't think twice about, but a guy walking around with a giant Nike "Swoosh" across his chest is someone I would roll my eyes at. Maybe I'm an asshole, but I do believe in decommodification and brand logos aren't about comfort they're about commercialized status/statements. You can make a trip to Good Will and get a week's worth of comfortable, sensible clothing for less than you'll spend on food and water for the event.

Maybe if you're very lucky something there will speak to you. Dressing up, for me, isn't about donning a costume, it's about wearing things I can't in my day to day life so I can express or explore parts of me I'm otherwise unable to.

[Canoe]

I tend to dress my "normal", which is surprisingly close to how I dress when solo exploring dry lands or desert. Or I'm full desert, with shemagh, etc..

So without the shemagh, I get a fair amount of "Good morning camper". Most of it tongue in cheek, some of it somewhat mean spirited. A friendly smile and a relaxed return of "Good morning Burner" goes a long way.
Particularly so if it's morning and you offer a ride on the back of your bike to the Center Camp Cafe where you're heading for coffee/tea.

[MrSerious]

Wear whatever you want.
if someone gives you shit, tell them to "FUCK OFF"

easy peasy

Based on your reply and your avatar, I want to hang out with you.

[digital]

People sometimes give me a nasty look for my boring attire. Plain cargo pants or jeans, t-shirt with nothing terribly witty on it, sunglasses, shoes.

Comfort is my main goal to deal with tedious and back-breaking labor. My energy is focused on working rather than sparkling.

A lammy is all the flair I need these days.

[Ratty]

I shouldn't be allowed to post on this thread. I'm sitting here now in a giant banana costume. Please wear whatever you're comfortable with. Don't be pressured by the hipe.

[ygmir]

Wear whatever you want.
if someone gives you shit, tell them to "FUCK OFF"

easy peasy

Based on your reply and your avatar, I want to hang out with you.

you, are perceptive................

[Aurelia]

ooo !
Lucky, that Mr is a good one for the pack

so reading the jrs , some of it needs serious snark
I started and hope more of you will.

Protect the principles we love
and live with

[BBadger]

Normal clothes are fine. It's all about being yourself and being comfortable, after all. That being said, I would recommend staying away from clothes with giant brand logos if possible.

A plain t-shirt I wouldn't think twice about, but a guy walking around with a giant Nike "Swoosh" across his chest is someone I would roll my eyes at. Maybe I'm an asshole, but I do believe in decommodification and brand logos aren't about comfort they're about commercialized status/statements. You can make a trip to Good Will and get a week's worth of comfortable, sensible clothing for less than you'll spend on food and water for the event.

Give me a fucking break.

Do you also roll your eyes at uncovered car-brand logos? Nike swooshes on shoes? "HUFFY" marks on bikes? The Port-a-John logos? Free cans of beers without their logos Sharpied permanent marker'ed out?

Or how about by the Burning Man logo -- a registered trademark of Burning Man, LLC?

Hell, you're even camping in a trademark-named city when you attend the event -- an event you ponied up $390 for a ticket you have stored away in the glovebox of your car. The very shape the city is a trademark[1].

No, this is more about being burnier than thou than keeping decommodification standards. Get over yourself. It is also completely hypocritical and ridiculous to compel a person to buy commodities (goodwill doesn't change that) just to outwardly advertise "decommodification."

Decommodification has to do with eliminating trading and bartering at the event as well as purposeful commercial advertising (e.g. the Monster energy drink brand truck). In its place is this "gifting" idea that helps people find an alternative to bartering. All this avoids taxation, creates a "disposable" atmosphere where people want to give stuff rather than trade it, and also prevents people from depending on being able to buy stuff. Decommodification is not about superficial attempts to hide the fact that nearly everything at Burning Man is made possible through commodification beyond the trash fence. If you want an "event" like that, go camping with a burlap sack backpack in the mountains away from everything, everyone and every brand.


To the OP: Wear whatever you feel like. Only busy-bodies with nothing better to do will pay notice to brands, "plain" clothing" or whatever superficial nonsense we deal with in the default world. Do, however, consider using the opportunity of a place like Burning Man to dress creatively and comfortably.


[1] The names "Burning Man", "Black Rock City", and "Decompression", as well as the Burning Man symbol, the design of the Man, the design of the city’s lampposts, and the city layout design are all protected by trademark law. -- Source

[Aurelia]

AND, be nice

[Eric]

AND, be nice

or be snarky as all get out if that makes you happy.

Again, your Burn, do it your way.

[ranger magnum]

Im with Mr. Serious. I wear the same stuff on Playa that I wear anywhere else. Other than a warm fur coat at night, I look the same on the esplanade as I do on my own street. I express my creativity in the things I build, not wear.

[Oldguy]

Pfft. It's hats. It is all about the hats...

[Tiahaar]

clothes. meh.

[fernley1]

Last year was my first time to go to Burning Man. I wore my normal desert clothes, real long shorts, halfway down to my ankles, and normal t-shirts, i didn't worry about what was written on them. I wore a good hat a big scarf during the day. At night maybe a vest of some kind, and lots of lights. I was always comfortable, even after walking around all day in the heat and dust.

[Canoe]

Don't forget your towel...

[Elliot]

...
But here's the thing, I just want to wear normal clothes. ...

Don't worry, you will get over it.




I did.