No other music festival has as much of a cult following as Burning Man. Coachella who? For die-hard "Burners," as they're known, nothing holds a candle to the week-long party in the Black Rock Desert. Some have even been attending since the festival's first edition in 1991, and they never shut up about how life-changing it is. Oh, and did we mention it has a... unique dress code? This year's event was marred by massive flooding and piles of mud, but the people still brought their fashion a-game. Here are some of the wildest Burning Man outfits found on the Internet. Let's check them out!
Say Yes IN the Dress
Most individuals wouldn't put a music festival in the middle of the desert at the top of their dream wedding venues. However, "Burners," as regular Burning Man attendees are called, aren't like most people. For them, the festival is more than just a chance to see their favorite artists; it's a spiritual event, an opportunity to live communally and interact with like-minded people. Never mind the mud and the dust blowing in your face.
Well, given that they covered their footwear in plastic bags, they did care about the mud ruining their clothes, but not enough. The groom's vest is dangerously close to the ground.
Pirate Coat and Trash Pants, a Winning Combo
This year's Burning Man was unlike any other. Things were going well for the first few days, but on the last weekend, a massive storm flooded the place, and people got trapped in the mud, unable to go home. Fortunately, some optimists kept the party going, and they weren't about to leave their fancy garments behind either. No, true Burners go all out and don't care about material issues.
This person might've had to fashion themselves a pair of garbage bag trousers, but they weren't about to leave their best piece safe inside their trailer. No, the pirate coat stayed on.
When in Doubt, Add a Tail
Many people go all out when it comes to putting together outfits for music festivals, but honestly, we'd never put that much effort. Of course, there's nothing wrong with looking great, but if we were facing an entire week of camping in a hot Nevada desert, we'd put comfort above everything. After all, there are ways to have fun with your clothes while still keeping your crevices dirt-free.
This group of friends looks tame compared to most of the people on this list, but if you look closely, you'll realize. They brought the weird and the wonderful, too.
It's Giving "Mad Max" Vibes
Did you know that "radical self-reliance" is one of the ten principles of Burning Man? That's why many festival-goers treat it as a survivalist camping trip. It's also why everything looks so post-apocalyptic. In fact, we dare say that many of the event's hardcore fans are also Mad Max enthusiasts. Just look at this picture. It's like a still straight out of Mad Max: Fury Road.
This post-apocalyptic, industrial, punk style is one of the festival's main aesthetic currents. If you're wondering what the giant silver orb in the background is, that's just Burning Man.
The Devil Is in the Accessories
Have you ever seen a group of people heading to a rave? If we ever run into one, be careful to avoid looking directly at them. This might sound weird, but there's a reason for it: their outfits will be bright enough to blind you. The same advice applies to Burning Man because half of festival-goers will be dressed in neon, while the other half will wear reflective clothing.
They won't stop at the clothes; they'll even have brightly-colored wigs! If you're planning on going, you better not forget your sunglasses because if the sun doesn't blind you, the accessories will.
Not the Best to Jump Around in
Back in our day, musical festivals weren't treated like runways. Sure, the clothes you wore represented which social tribe you belonged to, but they were always practical in the end. Nowadays, people wear bras and panties with leather chaps or crocheted trenchcoats, and we're not just talking about Coachella. Even the supposedly "rugged" and "self-reliant" types that go to Burning Man have jumped on the impractical outfit trend.
Who would ever think it'd be "practical" to wear a full-length fur coat to the desert? The dust will get trapped and weigh it down, and it'll be impossible to clean.
It's a Family Affair!
Let's get this out of the way: there are places where you can take children and others where you can't. Music festivals aren't the best events for small kids to attend since they can get tired quickly or overwhelmed by all the people. Besides, their ears are sensitive, so you'll have to invest in headphones to keep them protected. All in all, it's usually more trouble than it's worth, except for this guy.
As long as they're slathered in sunscreen and have a place to rest and eat peacefully, there's nothing wrong with bringing the tots along. It might be the experience of a lifetime!
Stilts? In the Desert?
Remember how we said the post-apocalyptic, metal vibes of Mad Max were one of Burning Man's most distinct aesthetics? Well, here's another character that looks like it came straight out of George Miller's head. We imagine running into someone dressed like a four-legged humanoid creature with spikes would terrify most, but that's just part of what makes this festival unique. Where else will there be people bold enough to do this?
Neither the sun's scorching heat nor the blinding sands of the desert stopped this person from getting onto their stilts. We hope their campsite was close by, though.
Just a Lady and Her Noble Steed
When you're at Burning Man, you're never alone. For some, that's literal since they travel with friends, family, or partners. We dare say that's the only way we'd go to a festival like that: with company. It's a lot more fun to plan, not to mention easier, because both the errands and the costs get split. Besides, if you go with a significant other, you can plan couples' outfits!
These two might take the prize for the entire festival's best couple's outfit. After all, they built a whole carriage and horse head as accessories; that's true dedication!
Seeing Double
Watching your favorite musicians live isn't the only attractive part of going to a music festival. Sure, some only attend to listen to their favorite artists, but many others enjoy them for other reasons, if you know what we mean. Yes, we're referring to alcohol and drugs. Why do you think people go wild at events like Burning Man? It's not just because they're free spirits.
That's why we think these two ladies frightened several festival-goers with their matching outfits. They must've thought they were seeing double, but no. They were just identical twins.
Futuristic but Make It Pink
Pink will undoubtedly be remembered as the color of the summer. It's not just Barbie fans who embraced it but everyone. Even people heading over to Burning Man, which never really had a "pink" vibe, chose it for their outfits this year. Curiously, it didn't clash badly with the festival's futuristic dystopian aesthetic. Just look at how good this guy looks standing next to dusty, beaten-up bikes.
A hot pink velour set isn't what most people picture when they think of a "Burning Man outfit," but it looks good. The shades and that massive necklace scream "Burner," though.
Speaking of Fur Coats
In a way, it makes sense for people who attend Burning Man to be nearly naked. After all, it always takes place in late summer in a desert in the middle of Nevada. Let's just say that when the sun's shining, you don't want to wear anything that keeps heat in. However, it can also get chilly when night falls. That's why you get seemingly nonsensical garment combinations like these.
Shorts with a faux fur hat and scarf combo? You may have thought the guys in the fur coats were ridiculous, but that's just the event's dress code.
An Alien Mask Is the Bare Minimum
If you're planning to camp for a week in the middle of the desert, there are two things you'll surely need to bring: sunblock and glasses. In fact, bringing more reflective pieces of clothing will help, too, since anything that can keep the sun's rays away will undoubtedly give you an advantage. That said, we don't think this mirrored alien mask is a must-have. Why? Well, it's mainly the collar.
That'll reflect all the UV rays straight onto the uncovered parts of your face. The eye part is fine, although we wonder if this might be a bit tame for Burning Man.
She Forgot the Full Suit (of Armor)
Life is tough out there in the desert. There are competing tribes vying for the best spots to set up camp, Wi-Fi and phone signals are precious resources, and food and drink aren't scarce but are certainly not unlimited. Because of all that, it's expected you'll have to stand up to defend your spaces from foreign invaders valiantly. It is a post-apocalyptic world, after all! This lady even brought some armor.
We don't know how useful it might be defense-wise, though. From the outside, it looks more like an aesthetic choice than a practical one. The sweat must be running like a river.
In Case You Need to Pack Light
We mentioned there being a dress code for Burning Man, but is there really? It's more like general guidelines so people know what the vibes are. That's why, if some need to pack lightly and don't have room for a full-length fur coat or a set of mechanical wings—more on that later—there are other options they can choose from. A rainbow piñata onesie is a good alternative.
It's lightweight, and it'll still make a splash. After all, it's not every day you run into someone disguised as a llama made out of paper mache and tassels.
No Flashy Boots, No Service
When you think of ideal festival footwear, what comes to mind? Comfy sneakers? Ergonomic sandals? Not in Burning Man, though, for both practical and impractical reasons. First, the practical one: any open-toed option will make your feet all dusty and grimy. The second, more ridiculous reason is that sneakers aren't nearly flashy enough for this event. No, it's thigh-high platform boots or nothing. Well, or Moon boots, as this couple illustrates.
The guy's shoes may look more comfy, but they're just as crazy as the lady's. We bet these won't be the last sky-high platform boots you see in this compilation.
Here's an Idea: Wear Your Snacks
The key to surviving a week-long music festival is staying hydrated and well-fed. People stand for hours in the sun and heat, so it's more important than ever to have a source of water at hand at all times. One handy trick is to keep fruit in a fanny pack or somewhere it's easily accessible because they'll give you sugar and hydration. This party-goer found a pretty creative solution.
She wore her snacks. It's a fun concept, and if those grapes are real, she can pluck one and eat it whenever she needs a refreshment. Isn't that neat?
If Your Outfit Is Missing Some Umpf
Packing for any trip is already hard. You have to balance the most practical options with the ones that look the best, so you might spend hours trying to decide if you should bring those pretty cowboy boots that'll make your feet blisters after walking two blocks. Nevertheless, there's a way to keep your packing minimal while giving your outfits that extra-ness they need to make you stand out.
Accessories! They take up less space, and you can mix and match them to look like you're wearing different outfits. A staff with a light-up rocket is a good option.
No Signal? Be Your Own Antenna
If you've ever gone to an event of the scale music festivals usually are, you know that one of the worst problems is getting a phone signal. That's why setting meeting points in advance is a must because calling or texting may not be an option. Many people who camp overnight in those venues bring portable routers, but then there are some individuals who go the extra mile.
They turn themselves into antennas. Don't tell us those wings don't look like a satellite crashed into here. By the way, did you see the platform boots? They're part of the uniform.
The Quintessential Burning Man Outfit
So we've mentioned punk, we've mentioned suits of armor. We've also mentioned LED lights, neon, and the importance of accessorizing. All that has been distilled by a few regular festival-goers into the most Burning Man of outfits. Seriously, if you plan to head over there next year, you'd do well to get some tips from these two. Check them out and tell us these clothes don't scream "postapocalyptic desert rave."
You've got a chainmail-inspired skirt and top, a flower crown, colorful braids, a weird headpiece, and a reflective breastplate. It's like they gathered all the greatest hits and put them on!
Futuristic Mud Shields
We don't think Burning Man has had as much press as this year after the storm and flooding debacle left thousands stranded in the Black Rock Desert. Most people who went there expected the blowing dust to be the biggest problem, but it wasn't. Seriously, if you haven't seen the pictures, look them up online. Obviously, because of the muddy conditions, some people had to improvise.
Futuristic foot covers like these, made out of duct tape and plastic bags, became the norm this year. We bet those who brought nothing but flip-flops and platform boots regretted it.
Wings, It's Not a Big Deal
Remember we mentioned wings a while back? Yes, that's another popular accessory many hard-core burners bring to their week-long stint in the desert. You have to understand these aren't regular people planning for a typical trip. This is a spiritual experience for them, the event they work for the entire year. It is understandable that their priorities would be different than the average Joe's. Apparently, one of them is creating hyperrealistic wings.
They look fantastic, and we admit they can come in handy to keep people away and make them respect your personal space. We wonder how comfortable a leather skirt is, but who are we kidding?
Mother Nature Has Plans of Her Own
As much effort as you put into putting together a wardrobe worthy of the wildest festival of the year, you have to be aware that Mother Nature might decide to throw all your hard work into the trash. The people who went to Burning Man this year experienced that firsthand when the desert was turned into a mud pit, but that doesn't mean the rest of the week was fine.
After all, this person had to cover their face with a bandana to get around the place. Dust storms are common, so goggles and face coverings are a must.
Someone Got Way Into "The Dark Knight Rises"
Christopher Nolan's Batman series completely changed superhero movies. They could be dark and moody and touch on serious topics. In addition, it put the focus on the villains. Just think about it: Heath Ledger pulled the performance of his literal lifetime as the Joker. However, The Dark Knight Rises came out in 2012, so maybe it's time to let go. Not that the people from Burning Man got the memo.
This guy went dressed as a modern-day Bane with the mask and a literal chain as an accessory? Did he expect he'd need to pull a car out of the mud? Wait...
Aviators Are Boring
We've seen plenty of bizarre accessories already, but trust us when we say you've never seen anything more extra than this. The outfit is already lavish enough to look more at home on a red carpet than in the white sandy plains of Black Rock Desert, but it's the glasses that bring everything to a level never seen before. They're vintage but with a bit of steampunk and definitely unique.
Would you wear these? Sure, they can make you look like you time-traveled from the late Victorian era, but maybe that's what you wanted. Besides, you can't say it's not original.
Don't Get the Ruffles Dusty
Ruffles are fabulous. We'd never put anybody off wearing ruffles if they wanted to unless they presented severe practical issues. If you were going to a place where there'd be a lot of dust, for example, or if you had to wear them for a long time. Basically, everything that happens when you go to a music festival. However, nothing would stop these two from looking fabulous at Burning Man.
Not even the need for comfort and practicality. They look gorgeous, sure, but we bet those outfits only looked pristine for however long it took to snap the picture.
"Raindrops Keep Falling On My Head... "
We’re so used to watching Burning man goers over-worrying all the time, getting too stressed about their outfits. And maybe this guy can work as a quick reminder that the festival is more about the sense of freedom rather than filling Instagram with pictures. Check this guy, wearing a dress that his grandma forgot to pick two Christmas ago and an ukulele. Bro didn’t even pack a pair of sandals…
Honestly, this is what I would wear at Burning Man. No complicated harnesses, no body paintjob, no boots, no need to shave my beard neither…
Being Uncomfortable Isn't Required
We've been going on about how impractical many of these outfits are, and you may think we're set on raining on everyone's parade. Don't worry, we'll leave that to Mother Nature. The only thing we're advocating for with this list is for people to have fun, but not in a try-hard way. Don't believe it's possible? Look at these two. They figured out how to marry comfort and originality.
They've got the goggles and the fanny pack, but plenty of bright colors and patterns as well. The guy on the right even has an intricate, beaded jacket we're staying mum about.
The Blue Demon
Such a curious color for a demon, if you ask us. Maybe red has been so frequent that we cannot longer link them to any other color. However, it’s not really hard to cover a couple of fake horns with blue glitter and cover yourself in blue and green dye. Yet, his commitment goes further than that: Check his goatee dyed in green, like Lucifer himself.
Even his teeth are part of the combo, but that’s nothing a berry Fanta can’t replicate... Maybe that’s the way he managed it. Seriously, it’s not a good idea to wash your teeth in blue dye, get yourself a Fanta.
You Might as Well Go Naked
Many think of Burning Man and associate it with being naked. Scratch that. It happens with every music festival now. Coachella, Lollapalooza, and every other event except perhaps Glastonbury because wearing Wellingtons is almost mandatory. Anyway, we digress. The point we were trying to make is that outfits seem to get skimpier and skimpier, and although it isn't a bad thing... Doesn't dirt get everywhere if you're only wearing underwear?
Then again, throwing on a tutu or a miniskirt like these guys did wouldn't help much with the dirt situation. We bet they'll be washing traces of the desert off for weeks.
Wasn't the Theme Freedom?
It's time to come clean and say we're not experts on Burning Man and the philosophy behind the festival. Nevertheless, what little we researched about it mentions being free and living as a community as two of its central themes. A dog cage doesn't seem to fit that ethos, does it? Look, we're not trying to shame anybody for their likes and dislikes, but this is undoubtedly a weird outfit.
It's like they took Cruella DeVil and transported her into The Flinstones but added a touch of BDSM to the whole look. We only hope that isn't real Dalmatian fur.
A Barbecue Is Always Welcome
Some people love flipping burgers in their backyard. You know, there was always that one house on the block that would host barbecues every day during the summer and open their doors to everyone. However, one brave soul loved barbecuing so much that he decided to bring it to the next level. Yes, he took a grill to Burning Man and didn't skimp on the quirky outfits, either.
Why is an eye-catching hat and a novelty shirt precisely what we'd expect from a Burning Man grill master? It's like everything associated with the festival needs to be slightly psychedelic.
How to Get Around in Style
Every festival has unique characteristics you need to adapt to. Burning Man, well, it has a few. Firstly, it lasts an entire week, so you'll have to bring camping gear or rent an RV. Then, there's also the fact that the place is enormous. That means you'll also have to obtain an additional means of transportation. Most people bring bikes, but a few get experimental about it.
This guy brought a freaking Segway. As if that wasn't enough, he also customized it to look like a gladiator's chariot or something. News flash: there are no lions in the desert.
That's a Smart Move
Did you know that some people call in sick to work to attend a music festival? We'd definitely use our vacation days for it, perhaps even consider quitting if our bosses didn't allow it, but we don't think we could deal with the deception. Then again, if you're going to do something like that, do it for Burning Man since you can wear goggles and a face mask everywhere.
That way, you can stay anonymous if you're spotted by a nosy co-worker or a superior on someone else's Instagram. You better not post anything on your account, though.
How to Burst Out of Your Cocoon
You didn't think those black wings earlier would be the last you'd see here, right? After all, we've proved people go harder for Burning Man than any other music festival. Besides, what's better to bring for a week-long rave in the desert than a whole butterfly costume complete with wings? The answer is nothing. We haven't said this about many outfits here, but this looks fabulous.
That's how you do festivals! Although we're not sure we'd go this hard if we only had a single duffel bag of luggage and had to sleep in a tent.
Sometimes a Bike Isn't Enough
One of the most complicated aspects of going to Burning Man is figuring out how to get there. The pros rent an RV or a trailer, but most other festival-goers strap a bike rack onto their truck and bring a tent and some coolers. However, some go even harder. What if, instead of bringing a bike to move around the venue, you got a whole dune buggy?
Maybe this was just for the photo shoot; who knows? That said, lugging that into the Nevada desert would take significant logistics. Hopefully, they had another use for it.
The Rust Queen
She’s got the looks of lady surrounded by muggles everywhere. Oh, yeah, he looks like a witch, but the good kind. Does such thing even exist? Well, it’s hard not to trust that smile. She put a stake on rust colors, dusty and seemingly tarnished even. As a combo is simply marvelous, from that fancy hat to the stripped socks, it fits so perfectly with the rest of the pic’s composition.
It’s hard to look gorgeous when all your clothes seem to belong to three centuries ago, but sometimes it’s the vintage nature of fashion what makes it so special.
How to Blend in With Your Surroundings
What if, in the future, the Earth turned into a wasteland, and people had to go back to living in tribes and foraging for food to survive? Now imagine they also had massive parties with techno blaring from giant speakers because somehow humanity still had electricity. Oh, and fossil fuels as well. That's what Burning Man is all about. So, if you're heading over there, bring your best version of the post-apocalyptic Jetsons.
An all-silver outfit like this will work just fine, and it'll undoubtedly blend in with your surroundings. It's giving disco ball but punk with those knee-high platform boots.
There Are Furries Too
For some reason, onesies have become a pretty popular festival outfit. Wearing one certainly has its perks: it's comfortable, easy to put on and take off, and warm, although that isn't always a good thing. You see, most events occur in the summer and during the day, so you want to keep cool, not stay toasty. Apparently, that wasn't a concern for these two because they brought a full fur suit.
Don't let the blinding white light of day fool you; the sun wasn't that hot, and they weren't sweating their you-know-whats off in those outfits. At least take off the headpiece.
It's Pattern-Mixing, Not Pattern-Clashing
After seeing so many beautiful people wearing next to nothing, anybody's confidence would take a hit. However, we bring you a picture that'll remind you that you don't need to be rich and beautiful or have elaborate outfits to go to Burning Man. The community is open to all. The only requirement when choosing which clothes to pack is to make them loud and make them bold.
See? This guy isn't wearing anything out of the ordinary; it's just that everything is so incredibly bright and patterned. Perhaps too much, if you get what we mean.
You'll See That From Outer Space
We've mentioned that the only requirement for a Burning Man outfit was that it should be loud and bold. Well, it doesn't get much bolder than this next getup. It's bright enough for him to be seen even at night on a new moon when there's no light at all. We bet that when planning what to wear, he aimed to get something that could be seen from space.
If there were ever a garment that could be seen from outer space, it would be this neon green bug armor. What would you do if you ran into this guy?
Who Is Mirror Man?
Remember we mentioned that some people called in sick to work to attend music festivals? Well, we're not pointing any fingers, but if you see a person with their face covered, you might begin to suspect they were hiding their identity for some reason. Then again, in an event like Burning Man, you're bound to find one or two eccentrics, so would it be odd to see someone dressed in mirrors?
You thought that was metaphorical? No, this guy's literally covered head to toe in mirrors. Just don't look too close at him during the day because you might go blind.
This Is What Normal Looks Like
It can be tough to stand out in a world where people include articulated wings in their outfits. However, that doesn't mean you should show up in jeans and a T-shirt. That's not the spirit of Burning Man. If you're going to that festival, it doesn't matter if you can't put too much effort or money into what you wear. It's enough to dress like you're going to a rave.
What does that mean? It means bright colors and fun but impractical accessories. Oh, and some goggles and face coverings. But most of all, it means having fun!
So Curvy...
Nah, not the curves you were expecting, but when attitude is sparkling, looks are secondary… maybe not all the time, but you get what we mean. Maybe the dress would be more fitting if it didn’t contrast with that hair color, squeaky sunglasses and shiny scarf. Yeah, now we know why such dresses are only meant for feminine bodies. Boys simply aren’t built the same, and that’s ok.
We won’t even mention anything about the sandals. It’s like four styles trying to converge at the same point. Sometimes the mixture is too chaotic to make a proper review.
How Many Feathers Do You Need? - Yes.
Real feathers, by the way. Actually, cheaper to get than fake ones, if you’re working on the right gig, of course. So, this lady wore a couple of sleeves fully covered by feathers of, at least three different bird species. She complemented her design by wearing a headset that turns her into that tribe chief that knows what direction the wind will blow in two hours. Such a powerful aura.
And that little boy, grabbing her torso like a little chick looking for shelter under mommy’s wing… that’s such a powerful scene, it’s not only fashion what we’re discussing here.
"Stilts? Those Are My Feet. "
The best pair of shoes to see that sculpture burning with none in front of your obstructing your view. We can’t believe stilts aren’t more common at Burning Man than they currently are. We guess it’s not too popular since half of the festival is about walking. They rather bring a bike, which is understandable. Yet, a pair of stilts can guarantee you an outstanding status that no silly bike can manage.
We don’t consider ourselves fans of that fish scales pants or those holed sleeves, but thank God that’s not the main focus on his outfit.
The Wasteland King
Have you ever played Fallout? It’s a game about a post-apocalyptic world consumed by a nuclear war. There’s always a faction boss that looks just like this guy; rusted armor, a nice hat so you can tell them apart from his minions and a certain arrogant air that gets reinforced once you speak to him. This is what a wasteland king looks like. Even that throne fits him like a glove.
Don’t feel too guilty if you attend Burning Man just to relax for a moment, not all of us can share the same adventure spirit, if all you want to do is sit down, so be it.
Ke-Mo Sah-Bee
We hope we don’t have to face “cultural appropriation” inquiries again, please. Let’s just focus on that great work done with feathers, sequins, cardboard and – we reckon – two hours of sewing. This is one of the sharpest designs we could find; only black and white feathers; that monochromatic coloring was applied even on his sunglasses. That wasn’t any coincidence, this guy knows what he’s doing.
Sometimes, after watching someone, you can tell that’s not his first Burning Man rodeo. The other way around is equally easy; beginners can be even more evident. Which one is this? Exactly...
Bird Lover
Minimalistic pieces are not always striking, but they are more than acceptable. Take a look at those wings, for example. We know they are proportionally small and will never help you fly (To be fair, no matter the wing size, you’ll never be able) and that beak seems more like a plague doctor mask, but this outfit isn’t about sizes, it’s about a concept that can only be appreciated as a whole.
The tanned skin and rusty hair are also part of it. This dude aimed for a dusted coloring in which both his body and costume were included.
Is That Sake, Sir?
Finally, a man with experience in front of us. We have certain affinity toward middle age participants at Burning Man, something that young blood can’t transmit. We can tell you, a teenager wearing that jinbei would never transmit the same respect… maybe the belly would be hard to replicate too, but even that is spot on! Seriously, this outfit is simply outstanding, no detail was missed; the bell, the bamboo hat with a kanji…
And check his pocket! That’s a little Totoro plush! This man breathes Japan through every pore of his skin. So glad he could make it to Hard Rock City.