What to wear, what to wear

Gearrob · Post by **Gearrob** » Mon Mar 06, 2006 9:07 am

Ok, I'm trying to figure out what all I want to bring to the playa (virgin year) and for the most part every other topic is discussed in enough depth that I think I've got it. However, when I do a search on "costume", I get a long list of posts that say something to the effect of "the spectator jerk [b]wasn't even wearing a [i]costume[/i]![/b]". This would tend to lead one to believe that costume is an important part of the event. This is great as I love costumes and playing dress up, but I've usually done it in some context(theater, ren-faire, sci-fi con, Halloween, Goth ball, fetish, etc.) So, what makes a costume more or less cool? Any thoughts or discusion?

Atar · Post by **Atar** » Mon Mar 06, 2006 9:47 am

I voted 'if it reflects the wearer's personality'. If you feel comfortable in it, you should wear it

edit: Ow, and if you want to use BBcode, uncheck all the 'disable BBcode in this post' lines at the bottom of your post. There's also an option in your profile to turn them off permanently.

MrMullen · Post by **MrMullen** » Mon Mar 06, 2006 1:06 pm

In my view, what makes a costume cool is the originality of it.
There are several great costumes I have seen at Burningman but they are not that original. You know the person put alot of work and money into the whole thing, but it's just a rip off of something on TV or in a movie or they have worn it for 10 years at Buringman.

I have shown several pictures of costumes to friend and their jaws just hit the ground because the whole costume is great. From idea to execution, it is just a great costume and everyone loves it. You know you have a great idea when it is 6 months later and people still talk about your costume.

Ivy · Post by **Ivy** » Mon Mar 06, 2006 1:10 pm

In my opinion, the first things that come to my mind, in no order:

-creativity & innovation (doing something that's not been done before, or soing something in a new way)

-craftsmanship (how well finsihed & made is the costume)

-significance (the meaning behind the costume, whether or not that is evident from the wearing, is there a "character" that goes along with it?)

-bonus points for functionality (having pockets to carry stuff, incorporation your Camelpak, etc.)

mojo · Post by **mojo** » Mon Mar 06, 2006 1:56 pm

My very favorite costume ever was a young man wearing a ceramic cow's head (used in country kitchens as towel hangers) that was duct taped to his groin (he was wearing tidy whities that were completely covered by the duct tape). On his head he wore a kentucky Fried Chicken bucket.

phil · Post by **phil** » Mon Mar 06, 2006 2:11 pm

just come as you are

Post by **AntiM** » Mon Mar 06, 2006 2:31 pm

Costume for day: not too hot to wear.

Costume for night: warm ehough to not freeze.

Nothing MOOPy.

mojo · Post by **mojo** » Mon Mar 06, 2006 2:50 pm

Good to have lights for night-time.

Post by **AntiM** » Mon Mar 06, 2006 3:16 pm

Sunblock for daytime.

robotland · Post by **robotland** » Tue Mar 07, 2006 6:17 am

My favorite costume was worn by a campmate back in '03....The box from a case of Fosters oilcans, and one shoe.

Gearrob · Post by **Gearrob** » Tue Mar 07, 2006 9:35 am

Hey, thanks for all the posts here. I'm feeling more confident about the one I've started (something I've wanted to make for years) and getting some inspiration for more. I'm still trying to decide if I should find a theme camp to join up with to give some more direction to the art I want to bring(including costumes) or if I'm better off just themeing up my own camp and experience.

Thank you Atar for mentioning the BB code disable in profile, I couldn't figure out why it wasn't working.

phil · Post by **phil** » Tue Mar 07, 2006 10:29 am

robotland wrote:My favorite costume was worn by a campmate back in '03....The box from a case of Fosters oilcans, and one shoe.

http://www.dotphoto.com/GuestViewImage. ... T=7&IPP=16

Ugly Dougly · Post by **Ugly Dougly** » Tue Mar 07, 2006 10:57 am

Tan is the new black.

No matter what sort of craziness you decide to tinker with, I'd advise keeping some good practical desert gear (day and nite) in case your chiffon toga and duct-tape high-heels turn out to be impractical in BRC conditions.

Desert Duck · Post by **Desert Duck** » Tue Mar 07, 2006 10:31 pm

I've been in a work camp for the last 6 years, I wear BDU shorts and boots during the day, maybe a hard hat. If I'm dirty enough, noone would question me. At night, I try to clean up, wear something comf, fuzzy and warm. On occasion I'll go allout.Hopefully I'll have my good/evil clown outfit for the tallbike this year. I don't try to have a whole set of new outfits every year cuz I couldn't afford to, and it's a bit wasteful, less you donate or something.

theCryptofishist · Post by **theCryptofishist** » Thu Mar 09, 2006 8:41 am

Silk pajamas are always in style.

regionalchaos · Post by **regionalchaos** » Thu Mar 09, 2006 9:41 am

theCryptofishist wrote:Silk pajamas are always in style.

Last weekend I bought a great silk bathrobe while I was in Chinatown.

phil · Post by **phil** » Thu Mar 09, 2006 10:53 am

Desert Duck wrote:>SNIP<
I don't try to have a whole set of new outfits every year cuz I couldn't afford to, and it's a bit wasteful, less you donate or something.

Louise and I give away clothes from our compound at Hushville, so look us up on Friday before the Burn.

We buy clothes at our local charity-based second hand stores; Louise got a great prom dress for a quarter.

See our page at
http://civex.smugmug.com/gallery/1262168
for photos of clothes at a St. Vincent's thrift shop in Reno.

theCryptofishist · Post by **theCryptofishist** » Thu Mar 09, 2006 11:03 am

phil
I've been raiding free boxes and #1- racks at thrift stores. I've got some silk pajama pants and a red velvet dress for ya. When I know if I'm attending or not we'll figure out how to get it to ya.

phil · Post by **phil** » Thu Mar 09, 2006 12:21 pm

theCryptofishist wrote:phil
I've been raiding free boxes and #1- racks at thrift stores. I've got some silk pajama pants and a red velvet dress for ya. When I know if I'm attending or not we'll figure out how to get it to ya.

Great. We hope to see you there.

theCryptofishist · Post by **theCryptofishist** » Thu Mar 09, 2006 12:36 pm

That's sweet, but I'm so not sure. Burning man was really Scott's thing. I'll be miserable if I go and miserable if I don't, but the whole logistics thing is going to be hell. I don't know if I'll be able to take care of myself, and I intend to have the truck sold by then. It's 6 months, I know. I'm not going to commit myself now.

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