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Every year Cari Lockett adds to her playa wardrobe.
Lockett will bring at least 20 costumes for the 12 days she'll spend at the Black Rock Desert for Burning Man, an annual arts festival that happens around Labor Day each year.
"I'd describe my style at Burning Man as basic hippie with a splash of clown," said Lockett, who has been to Burning Man 10 times.
Lockett was so inspired by the festival that she opened her own shop, The Burner Boutique, to help other people find outfits for the eight-day festival. The Boutique is located inside Junkee Clothing Exchange at 960 S. Virginia St. Lockett also is a regional coordinator for Burning Man.
"It is so much fun dressing newbies," said Lockett. "I like to say the Burner Boutique's motto is, 'We do virgins.'"
This year's Burning Man theme is American Dream, so people are dressing in ways that represent their take on the American Dream, local shops and designers said.
"I can say it's 110 percent not patriotic and red, white and blue," said Shelly Marcum, owner of Rad Betty's, a vintage clothing shop at 141 Vesta St. Rad Betty's sells hundreds of outfits for Burning Man.
She said one person is dressing head to toe in martini glasses and calling it the American Dream of the three-martini lunch.
According to Christine Saari, a fashion designer who has created outfits for two Burning Man fashion shows in Reno, designing for the festival is inspiring. She said she has heard some people complain that every costume already has been done at Burning Man, but she disagrees.
"I think if people go to places like Michaels and craft stores and put their heart into it, they will come up with something great."
Here are 10 tips for dressing for Burning Man:
1. Wear comfortable shoes. There is a lot of walking at Burning Man. Lockett said the playa dust can dry out feet so it's important to have shoes and socks. She suggested sneakers and hiking boots. "Don't bring new shoes," she said. According to the Burning Man Web site, people come down with Playa Foot, a chemical burn, caused by contact with alkali dust. It's not a serious condition, but it can be uncomfortable. At night soak feet in a water with some vinegar and apply lotion.
2. You need goggles. Dust storms in the playa can happen at any time, so bring comfortable goggles. Industrial goggles fit over glasses. Swim, biker, painter and firefighter goggles also work. You also need face masks, either traditional hospital-style or bandanas made out of fun fabrics.
3. Dress in layers. The desert can get cold at night. Faux fur and capes are good options.
4. Hats are a must. They can protect you from the elements but also add to a costume.
5. Outfits inspired from the movie, "Mad Max Beyond Thunderdome," are popular at Burning Man. To achieve this style, look for black leather, metallic items and gloves.
6. The Burlesque style of dress is popular at Burning Man with younger women. Many people will be wearing lingerie that they have embellished with rhinestones and fur. When some people are donning nothing at all, a lace nightie can seem like a lot of coverage. Saari designed costumes using pink fur and black Lycra. "I think some of the outfits are outrageous, but they are things you can translate into street wear."
7. There definitely are fur fans at Burning Man. People love that fake, neon fur, and it can be added to hats or as trim.
8. According to Lockett, you can't be too lit up at Burning Man. "It is necessary to be bright at night," she said. She said at night, people will use electroluminescent light that they add to blazers and robes. Glow sticks tied to costumes also are popular.
9. Make sure everything on your outfits is attached with a glue gun or sewn on. "We leave no trace when we leave Burning Man, so you don't want parts of your costume blowing away." She said feathers are not appropriate at Burning Man. Before you go, resew, reglue and tighten up all pieces of your costume.
10. Avoid washing the clothes you bring back from Burning Man.
"Keep in mind that dust makes mud," said Lockett. She suggested using a leaf blower or blowing clothing out with the air at gas stations. For more elaborate costumes with fur and detail she suggested dry cleaning. "Keep in mind that once you go to Burning Man you will have residual playa dust with you always," Lockett said.
