Costumes are an integral part of Burning Man and some people such as my friend Ken (aka Scotty) love to dress up.
I am going to be on the road for the next few weeks, so I decided to produce several blogs that might be of interest to my readers but would be easy for me to do: Voila—The Best Of Burning Man series! I’ve now been to Burning Man for ten years starting in 2004 (and will be going again in 2015, assuming I get two tickets and a vehicle pass). Each blog will feature a top ten category such as top ten sculptures, mutant vehicles, etc.
Important: 1) These are from my perspective. Other people will have different points of view. 2) I never see everything that is available to see at Burning Man. There is simply too much. So it’s quite possible that I have missed some really great things. My apologies. 3) I missed 2011. 4) These photos are not in order of choice. That is beyond me. (Grin)
Basically, this series will include a brief introduction and then my top ten choices. There may be captions on my photos, or not. Finally, while Peggy and I have taken the majority of these photos, I have also included photos from Tom Lovering, Beth Lovering, Don Green, and Ken Lake… all members of our ‘tribe,’ and friends.
Series 5: Costumes
The first advice I ever received from a Burning Man participant was that I had to wear a costume if I went. “It’s an essential part of being a Burner,” he told me. If I contributed nothing else, I had to dress up. The only lecture I ever received at Burning Man was that I wasn’t dressed up enough. Okay, I confess, I have never been good at costumes, but I have tried. I am Outlaw, that’s my Burning Man name, and I try to dress like one, sort of. Doesn’t a black hat mean you are an outlaw? Umpteen hundred Westerns can’t be wrong.
Given that there are thousands of costumes at Burning Man, picking out the ten best is impossible. But here is a sample of what you might see: (Special thanks to Don Green, who is never shy when it comes to asking, “May I take your photo?”)
Some costumes, such as this shaman, can be incredibly elaborate.
Others can be as simple as artfully applied makeup.
Or, by adding face paint and a jewel.
This pink feather headdress, pink glasses, and pink lipstick were quite dramatic.
Small horns, red dye, and a magnificent mustache made for a magnificent devil. (One year, it seemed that half the women were wearing angel wings. )
It always seems that one or two people select silver paint, and little else, as their costume.
This exotic beauty has always been one of my favorites.
Simple feathers gave this man a dramatic look.
I’ll close with these elaborately costumed guys who would fit right into the Mardi Gras or Venice. NEXT BLOG: Mutant Vehicles
Wandering through Time and Place 
So glad you’ve started this series! Love the costumes — from the elaborate to the simple! You are so right — this is Mardi Gras and Venice rolled into one! Love the photos.
The series is making my life easy while I run around and do other things. Glad you are enjoying the journey through Burning Man! –Curt
Enjoying is a mild word. I just love this — and I’m learning what Burning Man is all about. No wonder you’ve been 10 times!!!
🙂
With these wonderful costumes, I can see why a black hat might not make the cut! But I’m like you–not much of a costume person. I’d have no idea what to wear.
I’ve avoided costume parties all of my life Carrie. Then I decided to attend one of the biggest costume events in the world. 🙂
Well, there’s so much going on there, no one probably notices those who don’t dress up. 🙂
I would hope to get by wearing a mask of myself. It couln’t look more frightening.
Scary, eh? 🙂
I’m just not a costume party person myself, but I do like your exotic girl. And the fellow in the first photo, too. The last group reminds me of the Village People – Burning Man version!
I’ll tell Scotty you like his outfit, Linda. It will make his day. 🙂 And isn’t the exotic woman beautiful. –Curt
I’m just now catching up with this series, but already, I’m clicking backward to catch your other 4. This is absolutely fabulous. It’s hard for me to believe that this is all new to me. I didn’t realize there was so much creativity in sculpture, art, design, costuming, etc. You inspired me to Google Burning Man and watch several videos. I have more questions than answers now about the logistics of attending such an event, but what a life-changing experience this must be. Tickets aren’t cheap, I found out, but well worth it for the experience. Thanks, Curt, for introducing me to this American phenomenon. Rusha
Life changing is a good description, Rusha. Glad you are enjoying the series. –Curt
You rebel Curt! Oh, I think one could have fun in an Outlaw costume with Peggy as your beautiful bandida:) – Ginette
Works for me Ginette! 🙂 –Curt
Yes, those people tried very hard…I wonder if birthday suit consider dressing up? 😉
Or dressing down? 🙂
So, do you ever dress up for BM Curt…?
Semi, dress up, AC. Semi. (Laughing) –Curt
This is SO COOL to see the artwork of a gathering!~
Glad you like it Slingshot. Celeste would love Burning Man… guaranteed. 🙂 –Curt
For Sure!!!
🙂
Thank you for reminding me how imaginative, brave, and unique people are.
In that case, I have achieved as much as I can possibly hope for. Thank you Rebecca. –Curt
Yep, Scotty’s is one of the best here, in my opinion, and I do love the Steampunk goggles on your beauty. For some reason the guy in the skirt holding the flag in the last photo looks like a person I would expect to see in Portland. If I went, I would be one of the women in wings. I have a collection of them now that I’ve been going to Faerieworlds for 8 years.
Would be fun to see you in wings. 😉 –Curt
https://crystaltrulove.wordpress.com/2013/07/27/faerieworlds-2013/ This one has a couple photos of me in wings and a fabulous winged headdress.
Great wings. 😉 –Curt