How to not look like a tourist on the playa.......

What to wear? What not to wear? Come here to find and how to make anything you'd wear on your body - from goggles and playawear to bodypainting and adornments.
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Eric
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Post by Eric » Fri Jul 21, 2006 10:10 pm

[threadrift]
spectabillis wrote:
Eric wrote:Hey- misquote! I didn't agree with SB on the lights (and I don't think he was serious to begin with)
just noticed your sig btw, another piss clear guy... OH NO!
Hey- I've been around for ages & post more than Adrian ("Piss Clear") does!
I've just gotten a better title (and harder job) then before.

Why do you think I'm so snarky?

[/threadrift]
It's a camping trip in the desert, not the redemption of the fallen world - Cryptofishist

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trilobyte
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Post by trilobyte » Sat Jul 22, 2006 12:47 pm

Raver clothes? You want to dress up like a negative stereotype?

The folks above have some good suggestions, go with that. Be comfortable, be yourself, buy or make whatever you think is cool and comfortable.

I'd recommend, though, that once you hit the dust you check out Black Rock Boutique and Kostume Kult. Both camps bring out tons of costumes and playawear and will gladly help you find something awesome, then make it a gift to you.

~Trilo~

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Post by robbidobbs » Sun Jul 23, 2006 9:15 am

megaphone in hand, as a warning to all

Don't go to the porta-potties with a baby-wipe container under your arm. That's a guaranteed way for me to approach you, mistaking you for being a tourist.
I'll be in my blanket fort until further notice.

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Ron
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Post by Ron » Sun Jul 23, 2006 10:45 am

robbidobbs wrote:....Don't go to the porta-potties with a baby-wipe container under your arm. That's a guaranteed way for me to approach you, mistaking you for being a tourist.
In fact, don't go to the portapotties at all. Only tourists use them. Real burners stop eating solid food for the entire event, living on PBR and other substances that I can't list here without violating the TOS. This eliminates the need for poo completely. A bit of 'government cheese,' is sometimes consumed to completely gum up the system but only by those who don't *really* understand the burn.

;)

Ron

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Be careful. Playa tends to bleed onto default.

Post by uncle sticky » Sun Jul 23, 2006 7:39 pm

A word of warning. The more you find that you love what you're wearing, and the Playa you is more the real you than the default world you, you'll see bleed over. I stopped caring if people knew that I went to the Burn, that I dressed up in costumes, was gay friendly and uptight hostile. I find myself wearing a kilt, or a skirt, in the default world. You'll be happier, but people will think you are weird. And they will be right.
The handbasket to hell is leaving. Hop in world!

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Tiahaar
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Re: Be careful. Playa tends to bleed onto default.

Post by Tiahaar » Sun Jul 23, 2006 10:20 pm

uncle sticky wrote: You'll be happier, but people will think you are weird. And they will be right.
:D
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Post by Ugly Dougly » Mon Jul 24, 2006 9:53 am

Don't be too attached to What You Wear. You can dress like a "typical" tourist, yet be so throughly into the BM experience, with bringing valuable and enriching experiences to other BM participants that it doesn't matter, or that it functions as a wry joke or commentary.

On the other hand, if you dress in typical "Burning Man Participant costume" and waste your whole time there as a sightseer... Well, you get my drift.

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Post by phil » Mon Jul 24, 2006 11:56 am

You can dress like a "typical" tourist, yet be so throughly into the BM experience, with bringing valuable and enriching experiences to other BM participants that it doesn't matter, or that it functions as a wry joke or commentary.
I've done this a couple of times. One year, BMOrg came down hard on logos and 'corporate dress,' saying we shouldn't wear what The Man said we had to wear at work, so Louise and I wore Champion socks, Nike shoes, and whatever else we could find with logos protesting BMOrg telling us what we couldn't wear - what's the difference if you're telling what we _can_ wear and what we _can't_. Sheesh.

The first year the Burn happened on Saturday, I put on bermuda shorts, a polo shirt, and a golfing cap on Sunday and wandered around asking people, "Yo, d00d! What time's the Burn tonight?" It's amazing how polite the twenty-somethings were: "Oh, sir, you _missed_ it. It was last night."
"Naaah, get outta here. The Burn's on Sunday." "Not this year, sir."

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theCryptofishist
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Post by theCryptofishist » Mon Jul 24, 2006 12:12 pm

phil wrote:The first year the Burn happened on Saturday, I put on bermuda shorts, a polo shirt, and a golfing cap on Sunday and wandered around asking people, "Yo, d00d! What time's the Burn tonight?" It's amazing how polite the twenty-somethings were: "Oh, sir, you _missed_ it. It was last night."
"Naaah, get outta here. The Burn's on Sunday." "Not this year, sir."
You crafty old coot, messing with people's heads...
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Man, no wonder they always win....." Lonesomebri

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Re: Be careful. Playa tends to bleed onto default.

Post by unjonharley » Mon Jul 24, 2006 7:34 pm

Tiahaar wrote:
uncle sticky wrote: You'll be happier, but people will think you are weird. And they will be right.
:D


mmmmmmmmm
You saying you go buff in the real world ?
I'm the contraptioneer your mother warned you about.

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Post by unjonharley » Mon Jul 24, 2006 7:38 pm

theCryptofishist wrote:
phil wrote:The first year the Burn happened on Saturday, I put on bermuda shorts, a polo shirt, and a golfing cap on Sunday and wandered around asking people, "Yo, d00d! What time's the Burn tonight?" It's amazing how polite the twenty-somethings were: "Oh, sir, you _missed_ it. It was last night."
"Naaah, get outta here. The Burn's on Sunday." "Not this year, sir."
You crafty old coot, messing with people's heads...


/
/
Good to go
I'm the contraptioneer your mother warned you about.

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Re: Be careful. Playa tends to bleed onto default.

Post by EspressoDude » Mon Jul 24, 2006 7:52 pm

unjonharley wrote:
Tiahaar wrote:
uncle sticky wrote: You'll be happier, but people will think you are weird. And they will be right.
:D


mmmmmmmmm
You saying you go buff in the real world ?
BEEN THERE, DONE THAT....doing that....

One of the stranger things was 2 years ago on the huge MANN articulated bus, were some guys in suits, ties, fedoras. looking like businessmen going to work...
Is 4 shots enuff? no foo-foo drinks; just naked Espresso
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Post by Ugly Dougly » Tue Jul 25, 2006 9:45 am

Damn rebels, when will you learn? ;)

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Post by Mister Jellyfish Mister » Mon Jul 31, 2006 6:24 am

There's a dry cold front here in Northern Nevada. This morning almost has that bitter-sweet touch of Autumn that graces one's post playa come-down. Don't tell me I'm even anxious for that!
Art cred: Georgie Boy 2011: www.mutantvehicle.com/georgie_boy.htm ; Ein Hammer 2010; Fluffer 2009; Zsu Zsu 2008; U-Me 2007; Mantis 2006; MiniMan and Pikes Of Paranoia 2005; Time Machine Mutant Vehicle 2004. www.MutantVehicle.com

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Post by Fat SAM » Mon Jul 31, 2006 1:49 pm

Yeah. It's a perfect day here, Jelly...

I'm nostalgic for the whole works myself. Step out of the buffet (which is rad after the burn, I think) on Monday Morning...no shower yet. Air is cool, light breeze. You just ran into fifty burners in the casino who were still bleary eyed and sad but happy nonetheless and still playa-fied enough to freak out the squares...Yeah. That's a good morning.

And to stay on topic, my favorite outfit the last two years running was my two - tone green polka dot muscle dress (I tore off the sleeves). Nothing feels good like a breeze to the nuts. Wear whatever's comfy and fuck anyone who gives you shit about your cargo shorts and polo...who cares as long as you feel good?

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Post by SubCultist » Mon Jul 31, 2006 5:48 pm

Fat SAM wrote:Wear whatever's comfy and fuck anyone who gives you shit about your cargo shorts and polo...who cares as long as you feel good?
I agree. And don't listen to the "Don't be cliche/I'm more original than you" nitwits either. Their need to be ultra-original and "self expressive" is just as neurotic as anyone else's inability to let go and wear something kooky. In short, don't worry about it. Just go ready to have a good time. Everything else will take care of itself.
We are the facilitators of our own creative evolution.
-Bill Hicks

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Post by Mister Jellyfish Mister » Mon Jul 31, 2006 9:47 pm

When I was a kid I used to bring little inventions to school in my pocket. One was a "tickling mashine" made out of batteries and a stock car motor. After a while the kids started calling my "The Scientist" and I remember liking that.

This year I'm exploring that look, but still with that cool breeze to the nuts that Sam raves about.
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Post by robotland » Tue Aug 01, 2006 4:34 am

You're gonna be a hot property on Thursday, my good Jellyfish. Good to here about a little cool in the air- I'll bring the complete spacesuit!
...Okay, now I gotta go tickle myself.
Howdy From Kalamazoo

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Post by Mister Jellyfish Mister » Tue Aug 01, 2006 6:33 am

Robo: Just look for the blue jelly flag! 8-)

I'm just going to my work right now. Networking meeting. Wish I had a/c in my Dockers like that as they would all wonder as to the cause of my secretive grin.
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Post by Ugly Dougly » Wed Aug 02, 2006 11:42 am

SubCultist wrote:
Fat SAM wrote:Wear whatever's comfy and fuck anyone who gives you shit about your cargo shorts and polo...who cares as long as you feel good?
I agree. And don't listen to the "Don't be cliche/I'm more original than you" nitwits either. Their need to be ultra-original and "self expressive" is just as neurotic as anyone else's inability to let go and wear something kooky. In short, don't worry about it. Just go ready to have a good time. Everything else will take care of itself.
Yup. Just be you. If that means wearing this or that, well that's just cool. Don't feel pressured to wear a "costume". Save that for Oct parties. :)

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how bout this one?

Post by regynalonglank » Wed Aug 02, 2006 4:35 pm

ok, so if you have to get there on friday because you have a freaking job or some dumb shit like that just make sure you get out of the vehicle and roll in the dust, eat some, rub it in your eyes and then snort a bit. that way you'll look and feel your very best, and no one will mistake you for an rv dweller ;) thank you thank you thank you very much...and no, i won't be here all week, and fuck you very much for asking!!!!!
\v/

/ \

just listen to the drum

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Eric
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Post by Eric » Wed Aug 02, 2006 7:38 pm

Who cares if someone mistakes you for an RV dweller?

Come in on Friday, stay as sparkly-clean as possible as long as possible, and if someone makes a comment just retort that apparently only the real Burners know where the secret showers are.
It's a camping trip in the desert, not the redemption of the fallen world - Cryptofishist

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Post by ibdave » Wed Aug 02, 2006 7:56 pm

Eric wrote:Who cares if someone mistakes you for an RV dweller?

Come in on Friday, stay as sparkly-clean as possible as long as possible, and if someone makes a comment just retort that apparently only the real Burners know where the secret showers are.

Ha Ha.... Great one...<<< Clapping>>>
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Post by phil » Wed Aug 02, 2006 8:59 pm

only the real Burners know where the secret showers are.
Okay, I'll be handing out shower badges. :->

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Post by seelivemusic » Thu Aug 03, 2006 7:59 am

I must say, I was really atwitter about not fitting in at my first burn and there really wasn't anything to worry about. I left my red sox hat at home, brought some jazz fest threads for night time, and had a blast.

Of course there are always some snooty b@stards around, but as I live in the city of snooty b@stards, they didn't bother me.

Be yourself, be your mother, be whomever you want to be.

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Post by Davoid » Thu Aug 03, 2006 12:32 pm

seelivemusic wrote:...be your mother...
Good heavens! It's only my fourth burn, I don't have the fortitude to pull that one off yet!

Luckily for y'all.

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Post by raspberrymeeegs » Wed Aug 09, 2006 12:58 am

i dress in whatever feels comfortable

if i could wear pj's all day and night i would.......maybe this year i will

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Post by Ugly Dougly » Wed Aug 09, 2006 6:42 pm

phil wrote:
only the real Burners know where the secret showers are.
Okay, I'll be handing out shower badges. :->
I got your secret shower right here pal.

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Eric
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Post by Eric » Wed Aug 09, 2006 7:32 pm

Ugly Dougly wrote:
phil wrote:
only the real Burners know where the secret showers are.
Okay, I'll be handing out shower badges. :->
I got your secret shower right here pal.
um....

I am so avoiding Piss Clear jokes right now.

Maybe [insert]something about Jiffy Lube?[/insert]
It's a camping trip in the desert, not the redemption of the fallen world - Cryptofishist

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Re: How to not look like a tourist on the playa.......

Post by HughMungus » Wed Aug 09, 2006 7:40 pm

stoopidmonkey wrote:OK, I admit I dressed up like a spectator last year....

Been trying to find some raver clothes with no luck. Found
some crazy hats at Diversions and the Berkeley Hat company
but nothin else.

Any suggestions on stores I can visit in SF/South Bay to cover me
up (me is an aging kinda-dorky skinny guy) with something worthy of the
black rock dust?
Yeah join the club, brother.

Fun hats are a good way to go if you're having trouble finding cool stuff that FITS (ARGH!).

I actually "made" some fun pants last year. I had some old kakhis and I got some iron-on flowers and butterflies and ironed them on. I got a lot of positive comments (yu culd do the same with a shirt, too). T-shirts and permanent markers can also be fun. I tried tie-dye but it didn't feel like me.
It's what you make it.

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