Awesome Sh*t You'll Want At Burning Man (And Other Festivals)

That Thing in the Desert approaches. Be prepared. You know you'll need water and granola bars and a tent and some Radical Self-Reliance and, oh yeah, a ticket. But what about the other, fun stuff? Here are some ideas for what to wear and carry with you, both pretty essential and decidedly non-essential-but-awesome. Order handmade items soon because a lot of the makers are heading to The Burn themselves.

Hydration backpack

Electric Styles / Via electricstyles.com

It's the desert. Stay hydrated. This is an easy hands-free way to carry water with you wherever you explore. To stay visible at night, get a hydration backpack with lights in it already, like this one from Electric Styles, or add lights yourself.

Don't leave camp without a full tank. During the day, fill the bladder up with half-ice, half-water and keep cool in the hot sun.

Go on now, have fun, stay hydrated.

Bike Lights

Monkey Light / Via monkeylectric.com

It's really funny to watch a glowing body seem to float across the Playa on an invisible bike. Or, you can light up your bike with EL wire. And add some sick wheel lights for extra pizzaz. What's more, bike decorations will help you find your bike on the rack (in the bike pile) outside the dance party. These lights from Monkeylectric are extra super bo$$ but any kind of light accessories are great for your bike, from traditional bike lights from a bike store to blinkly toys strung together.

Dust Goggles

Global Vision Eyewear / Via amazon.com

A tinted pair for day, a clear pair for night--thanks Global Vision Eyewear. Decorate them yourself with anything you can glue on like fur. Don't skimp on the glue; items that fall off costumes are MOOP (matter out of place) AKA litter AKA bad news.

Sunglasses

Giant Vintage / Via giantvintage.com

Fancy sunglasses are fun but cheap ones are great if you're prone to lose or break sunglasses. Bring multiple pairs and gift extras to those sans-sunnies. These vintage-style pair from Giant Vintage have a built-in visor!

The sun on the playa is no joke. Also wear sunscreen and reapply it every hour. But you knew that.

Dust Mask

Vogmask / Via vogmask.com

Dust storms can strike at any moment. Keep a bandana, scarf, or one of these (Vogmask) handy for biking through the storm.

Utility belt AKA fannypack

TalismanaDesigns / Via etsy.com

For your essentials like lip balm, sun screen, and... whatever. This one is from TalismanaDesigns but there are tons of options on Etsy. Easy to wear while biking, walking, swinging, riding art cars, and climbing on art.

Badass Hat

House of Yum Yum / Via etsy.com

Check Etsy for these; this one comes from House of Yum Yum. Or you can DIY it. You wanna stand out. Chinstrap recommended so you don't lose it during a wind storm or while biking. Add some lights for the nighttime.

Sweet furry fur

LuvWarrior / Via etsy.com

Stay toasty, look fly. Find these on Etsy (this one is from LuvWarrior) or DIY it with a piece of faux fur fabric. Light shining through fur looks super cool at night.

Bonus: soft fur is fun to pet.

Loose cotton clothing

LunaDesignn / Via etsy.com

You can wear whatever you want at Burning Man.

Literally.

But if you're looking for something that'll help keep you cool and make you feel snazzy, like this this breezy cotton dress from LunaDesignn has you covered.

Utilikilt

Utilikilt / Via utilikilts.com

It's like a cargo skirt! Utilikilt has a loose skirt, pockets...what more do you need?

Underwear? If you want...

Tutu for Tutu-Tuesday

NeonNancy / Via etsy.com

No matter your gender identity, a tutu like this light-up number from Neon Nancy is always en vogue. Especially on Tuesdays.

Just undies (with a pocket)

Speakeasy Briefs / Via speakeasybriefs.com

These boxer briefs from Speakeasy Briefs have a pocket! Wear 'em under a kilt/tutu/dress/lemur onesie...or on their own.

Head-to-toe *~*sparkle*~*

SeaDragonStudios / Via etsy.com

2015's theme is the Carnival of Mirrors. Embrace it. SeaDragonStudios (and a ton of other Etsy sellers) have all you need to sparkle up.

Sparkle + Fur!

RevolverFashion / Via etsy.com

Reversible sparkly furry vest? Yes, please. Revolver Fashion is on Etsy and they're even setting up shop in the Empire Store and Gerlach Burner Bazaar on the way to Black Rock City. Perfect for those who need just 1 more pair of booty shorts for the adventure.

Mirrors everywhere!

katiekansas / Via etsy.com

Grab this sick mirrored outfit from Etsy (this one is by KatieKansas) or DIY a disco ball outfit with some mirrored tiles from a craft store over some clothes.

Mirrored Epaulettes

HausofTrashglam / Via etsy.com

Carnival of Mirrors meets stylish feathers with these House of Trashglam epaulettes on Etsy. Feathers used to be verboten on the playa because they can fall off costumes and create MOOP. Now, they're allowed, but the feather-wearer should make sure they stay on costumes and don't fly away. Cheap boas are not recommended but costume pieces with secure feathers are a-ok.

Mirrored Helmet (DIY)

Natalina / Instructables / Via instructables.com

There's still time to DIY yourself some cool mirrored stuff, if you craft like the wind. Peep this step-by-step guide on Instructables for a sweet mirrored helmet.

Disco Ball Visor

autumnatticcreations / Via etsy.com

More like Carnival of Fierceness, eh? AutumnAtticCreations on Etsy.

Mirror Mask

Disguise Costumes / Via amazon.com

Expect to see a few of these on the playa (nab from Disguise Costumes on Amazon). If you wear one, add some extra decor to make it your own. Ya creep.

Headlamp

SmarterLife Products / Via amazon.com

A headlamp is essential for walking or biking around at night, seeing street signs, and seeing anything in a port-o-potty. One with a red light setting, like this one from, SmarterLife Product, is great for not blinding people when you're standing next to them.

Lights

ZITRADES / Via smile.amazon.com

The Playa does not provide lights. There are some on the Esplanade leading up to the Man, and some camps will light themselves, but you need lights on your body at night you don't get run down by bikers, art cars, or people who just aren't paying attention. (FYI, It's not PC but people without lights or with just a headlight are known as darktards. *cringe face*)

Unique lights will also help people find you in crowds: "I'll be the one with the glowing cactus hat." Personalize your look with a pack of EL wire in different colors. Go wild on your costume, bike, and everything else. You can hot glue or sew or wrap the wire around yourself. Other battery/solar-operated lights are fab, too.

Also, extra batteries.

Light-Up Suit

SZ Fashion Luminous Clothing Co., Ltd. / Via aliexpress.com

Whatever your gender, you'll want to light yourself in style. If you're feeling formal, how about a light up suit jacket? AliExpress will have the best prices on wacky light up suits and other biz, like suit pants, ties, and whatnot. Pay for the fast shipping. Worth it.

Light-Up Two-Piece Outfit

SZ Fashion Luminous Clothing Co., Ltd. / Via aliexpress.com

If a suit isn't your style, peep this top and skirt set, also found on AliExpress. Two pieces means porto ease (one pieces with pants are no bueno for those who sit to pee. Trust). This ensemble will make you super visible to your burner buddies, let you ride your bike, and give you the freedom to dance. Pair with leggings under the skirt and a furry light-up jacket for warmth.

Some dope sh*t you made yourself

Joy Y. Ding / Via Facebook.com

Seriously, make it and wear it! The best things in life can't be bought or sold.

Wear anything you want. Or nothing at all. Own it. Be you.

And drink some water.