It seems that Burning Man sees more and more attendees every year. As a result, the event sees wilder and more outlandish costumes every year, too. Stilts are a common costume prop that Burners love to wear out on the Playa. Stilts are popular because it gives people added height amongst the masses. Plus, extra-long legs automatically add an element of weirdness to any outfit.
Troupes of Burners will often amble through the camp on their stilts, creating a traveling art performance. One thing to keep in mind is safety. Attendees should only wear stilts with their costumes if they are highly skilled and comfortable walking on loose sand. If it’s your first time stilt-walking, you better spend a few hours practicing at home before you head out to the desert.
Don't Catch "Playa Lung"
We’re used to seeing beautiful photographs of Burning Man, with bright blue skies and an endless horizon. However, the day-to-day reality is much different. Because Burning Man takes place on an ancient dried lake bed, there’s alkaline dust everywhere. In addition, the increase in foot traffic and vehicles at the event in recent years has led to more dust in the air than ever before.
If you go to Burning Man, expect to be covered in dust the whole time. Even if you wear a mask and goggles, a thin layer of dust will inevitably get into every crack and crevice. It’s just a way of life for Burners on the Playa. Although the air quality isn’t the best, experts have said that short-term exposure to the dust doesn’t pose long-term risks for attendees. If you do encounter a dust storm, it’s best to stay in your RV or tent until it passes.
Don't Forget Your Camara
Many people love to go off the grid when attending Burning Man. However, we totally understand the urge to snap a few photos here and there. Every year Burning Man has dozens of breathtaking art installations that are simply begging to be the backdrop of your next great social media post.
This woman saw this mesmerizing art piece and couldn’t help herself. She had to throw on her best jumpsuit and highest wedges to pose for this amazing photo. Attending Burning Man is such a unique and memorable experience. So, you might as well memorialize your time in the desert with some fantastic pictures.
Burning Man Loves Steampunk
If there’s one aesthetic that has remained popular with Burning Man attendees, it’s steampunk. Steampunk is a subculture that combines Victorian culture and fashion with a retrofuturistic, industrial vibe. Think lots of top hats, goggles, and metal gears. This art installation from 2018 shows Burning Man’s steampunk influence hard at work.
The metal gears, the larger-than-life angel theme, and the brutal metal all bring to mind a dystopian steampunk fairytale. Thankfully, it was built for climbing so plenty of Burners got their photo-op atop the giant wing sculpture. We can’t help but wonder how this guy got down after getting his photo.
The Crazier, the Better
Community participation is one of the ten principles of Burning Man. The more radical your participation, the better. According to the principle, “everyone is invited to play” and participate in deeply personal experiences that elevate their Burning Man experience into something transcendent. For many people, community participation involves group outfits, wild wigs, and plenty of body paint.
This group is having an absolute blast doing a can-can line in the middle of the desert. Nudity is pretty common at Burning Man, so it’s no surprise that these Burners covered every nook and cranny on their bodies with bright paint. Hopefully, they put some sunblock on beforehand.