What’s your writing uniform?
Hi. Barb here wondering–Wickeds, what do you wear when you write?
I know some full-time writers arrive at their desks everyday in full makeup and dressed like they’re going to the office. They think it helps reinforce the idea that writing is professsion. Others believe the luxury of working at home means you can write in sweatpants or even pajamas.
Some of the Wicked have day jobs they have to dress for, while others work from home. But my questions remains–what do you wear when you write? Do clothes affect your productivity in anyway?
Sherry: I just throw something on like in the picture and swish down the hall to my computer. I need to look nice when I write. Did anyone believe that? I’m usually in jeans and a t-shirt. My hair is usually done and my makeup on. Occasionally I’ll write for a bit in my robe but not very often. I want to be ready if opportunity knocks — or a salesperson.
Jessie: I have to admit to being the type of person who wears heels and red lipstick even to the grocer. Leaving the house under-dressed is just not my way of being in the world. So, that tendency has helped me to select a very effective work uniform: ugly velour sweats. I have several sets in a variety of colors, complete with hoods, which I refer to as my thinking caps. After donning these uniquely unflattering outfits I know there is no way I will be leaving the house or even answering the door. I don’t let myself change out of them until I reach my word count goal for the day.
Barb: I admit to starting the workday in my nightclothes. Who knew my role model for adulthood would be Eva Gabor in Green Acres? Usually, after I answer e-mails and check Facebook and do what I call “the business of writing,” I head upstairs and dress in jeans or cords and appropriate layers. However once in a great while, I get so caught up in what I’m doing, I never make it upstairs to change. And that is ALWAYS, ALWAYS the day my usually silent doorbell rings….
Julie: This is such an interesting question. I had first thought “well, I work weekdays, and still write, so I am in my work clothes” but that is a big fat lie. I write in my pajamas most days. If I write at night (which I often do), I come home from work and put on my pj’s before I start. And on the weekend, I may put yoga clothes on and pretend I am dressed, but let’s face it, they are just pj’s I can wear outside and not be embarrassed.
Edith: What a fun question, and interesting what it reveals about us! Now that I’m home full time, I wear jeans and one of my many collarless knit shirts, plus a fleece vest or sweatshirt. Summer variation is shorts and a t-shirt. I don’t wear makeup, but my hair and teeth are brushed before I sit down to work. But I have also written in work clothes, yoga pants, author-event clothes, funeral outfit — and I don’t think it makes any difference to what comes out onto the page.
Liz: As one of the Wickeds with a day job, I have to admit that I’m barely through the front door after work before I have either pjs or workout clothes on. After an entire day of being buttoned up and expected to have “executive presence,” I’m good. If I’m wearing workout clothes, I’m in pjs as soon as I shower and change, and then I’ll write. If I write in the mornings, I stay in pjs as long as humanely possible – weekends too. I’m happiest when I’m comfy!
Readers: What do you wear when you’re being creative? Does it make a difference?
Filed under: Wicked Wednesday Tagged: author clothes
