What Working Wenches Wear

by Mary Jo

Hi, there!  For today’s Ask A Wench, I delved into the Wenchly question jar and came up with this one from J. Wishard:

"Let's have an authors fashion show of sorts. Why not ask the Word Wenches to describe or show a photo of how they dress to "write/work".  And do any of them have a piece of clothing that is their "lucky" writing clothes, such as lucky socks?“

This turned out to be a lot of fun! First up:

Nicola Cornick:

Ok, so this photo was taken a little while ago but I still have a penchant for rolling my jacket sleeves up when I work and I also love a bit of fancy headgear! My favourite hat is big and furry and was bought at a vintage sale. When the weather gets really cold I have been known to wear it at my desk because I feel the cold when I'm sitting still and writing. I have a lucky silver ring which I bought in the Orkney Islands and which is patterned with runic designs.

 

 

 Joanna Bourne:

When I'm working, my fashion statement tends to be . . . bright.  Frequently red.  Sometimes with exuberant flowers.  I'm so absent-minded that if I don't dress in noticeable colors, I lose myself.

This is me in my favorite vintage Hawaiian shirt, all energized by that tropical magic and caffeine.

 

  

 

 

Patricia RIce:

I’m not superstitious, which smacks too close to paranoia for my logical mind. No lucky socks or sandals. Heavy sweaters and corduroys in winter, turtlenecks and jeans for the mild seasons, capris and button shirts in summer. My one peculiarity is that I never, ever do T-shirts. Don't even own one. And I never have pics of myself around the house. I'm sure we all look like Anne's photo at our desks!

 

Susan Fraser King:

What do I wear when deep in the writing? Mostly plain, comfy stuff in gray and black. (I love black – I’d wear it every day if I could!). Some of my favorite pieces of author-mode clothing are pretty tattered by now, but crazy soft and comfortable. I also love plaids, not just because I write Scotland, but because I love tartan patterns and colors.

Here are some items from my current writing wardrobe: a gray sweatshirt that I’ve had forever – note the tattered sleeve with the hole in it! (Liz Claiborne petite, really soft and a great fit; I’d love to find another just like it) … a black long-sleeve tee … and another favorite piece, a plaid quilted vest that’s great for winter and cooler air-conditioned nights too … and flip flops, which I wear year round. And I love this simple jewelry piece, a chunk of amethyst and citrine wrapped in silver wire that looks like a thistle!

So in writing mode, I’m all about flip flops and ragged gray sweatshirts. Nothing fancy. It’s so not me – and darker, quieter tones help me to focus amid the distractions of an active household where something can easily lure me away from my office and the work to be done! Once the writing takes over, all the rest can vanish for a while.

Cara Elliot/Andrea Penrose:

Lucky socks? Nope. Pashima shawls? Nope. And certainly not corsets or crepe de chine. Alas, my writing garb would definitely not make the fashion plates of La Belle Assemble. I dress for comfort, which currently means something warm and fuzzy, like Ugg sheepskin slippers and a polarfleece pullover.

Now, some people collect stylish little stiletto heels and slinky shifts, but my closet is crammed with Patagonia Snap-Ts, Nike dri-FIT and North Face wind-foil. Most are black or earth shades—I tend to like neutral colors—but I do have a few snazzy colors like red, limes and mango, for when the mood strikes me. (No correlation between wearing hot colors and writing hot scenes . . .but maybe that's something I should think about.)

 Jo Beverley:

I'm afraid I just wear what I'm wearing. As I always dress comfortably around the house, it doesn't matter what I'm doing -- reading, writing, cooking etc. I wish I had lucky socks, a pashmina of passion, or undies of inspiration, but sadly, no.

Mary Jo Putney:

Like most of the Wenches, I write in comfort clothes, usually oversize knits from Lands End and L. L. Bean.  Like Pat, cord trousers and sweaters in winter, lighter clothing in summer.  I always kick my shoes off (loafers in winter, slides in the summer) and write in my (not particularly) lucky socks.  Very boring.

THEN—I read Jo’s entry and realized that I do indeed have pashminas of passion.  Lots of them, in different weights and colors for the seasons.  My house isn’t particularly cold, but as I sit at a computer, my joints like a bit of extra warmth.  Here’s a picture of some of my pashminas of passion.  The adorable little sheep is Lamb Chop, whom we met in Rotorua, New Zealand.  It was love at first sight for her and our bear, Wellington, so she came home with us.  (Antipodean females are very intrepid travelers!)

Anne Gracie:

I don't wear anything particularly special to write in, but I do believe it's important to dress appropriately — to dress like an author, walk like an author, talk like an author, grunt and squeak and squ—er, I forget the rest of that quote.

So I dress in a simple, elegant, casual manner that befits my lifestyle. For instance this is the kind of thing I throw on most days — that's me walking from my bedroom to my office (pic by Kat from bookthingo) I have a variety of such outfits, naturally. One for each day of the week.

So nothing fancy, or special, like lucky socks for me. Just simple, tasteful, comfortable clothing.

MJP: So that’s the Wenchly fashion show!  If you think that most writers make Casual Friday look like formal wear—you’re probably right.  Except for Anne!

For asking the question that inspired this blog, JF Wishard gets a free book from me.  Thanks for the question!

What do you wear to work?  And what would you wear if you could choose whatever you want? <G>

Mary Jo, adding a picture of what our site mistress, Sherrie Holmes, wears at her computer since she has so much pizzaz!

 

Comments

[bn100]

What a fun post! I dress up for work, which I don't mind.

[Tracey Devlyn]

So much fun! Thanks for sharing. My goal is to find pants that feel like PJs without looking like them. :) Love my fleece jackets!

[MJ]

LOL! Anne looks like she's in full Dame Barbara mode!

I think the world would be a much nicer place if we could wear what's comfortable to work instead of being judged on what we wear and how it reflects on the company. And there's definitely a double standard - guys can get away with a golf shirt and chinos, but it seems like gals always have to dress up more to be taken seriously on the executive floor.

[Mary Jo Putney]

BN, dressing up for work can be a kind of armor and a way of defining one's business persona. But I must admit that I'm waaaaaay out of the habit. *G*

[Mary Jo Putney]

Tracey--

I ADORE fleece! I'm wearing a burgundy fleece pullover now. probably closer to a sweatshirt than a sweater, but very cozy indeed. Lands End sports pants are very comfortable. They don't look like dress pants, but they're several steps up from PJs. *g*

[Mary Jo Putney]

**there's definitely a double standard - guys can get away with a golf shirt and chinos, but it seems like gals always have to dress up more to be taken seriously on the executive floor. **

So very, very true, MJ! I do understand the social value of appropriate clothing--but I'm glad that I don't have to get into my conference clothes all of that often. Even though I do choose them for comfort. *g*

[Isobel Carr]

I’m stuck in business casual at the day job, but when I’m writing on the weekend it’s yoga pants and ancient cashmere sweaters all the way.

[Mary Jo Putney]

Isobel--

Ancient cashmere sweators strike the perfect balance between comfort and casual writerly glamor. *G*

[Patricia Rice]

I did the office suit and heels routine way too often to ever go back to them, but at least the guys were stuck in suits, too. Pity they didn't have to wear heels. I live in furry slippers now because my feet are always cold.

[Mary Jo Putney]

Pat, bunny slippers are definitely one of the perks of working at home. *G*

[theo]

I wear black. Every day, all year round. I will wear black until they invent something darker. Until then, I have no other colors in my shirt/sweater/tops wardrobe except for one red silk blouse with of course, black lace and sparkles. :o)

And I wear jeans.

But that's at my day job. Being a test driver has its perks.

At home writing, it's black plaid fleecy pants and black sweatshirts. Even my Ugg slippers are black fleece.

So see, Pat? You really can wear black all the time! ;o)

[Artemisia]

Generally I write in my nightgown. Late at night. Early in the morning.

[Mary Jo Putney]

You're a test drive, Thea? WAY cool! Wearing black all the time sounds exactly right. Rather ninja-ish. *g*

[Mary Jo Putney]

I hope it's a lucky nightgown, Artemesia! It isn't always easy to find writing time, but you're making the time. Mary Higgins Clark started out by getting up at 5:00 am to write before rousing her five kids, getting them off to school, then commuting into NYC to her own job. Writers are made of strong stuff!

[LouisaCornell]

What a fun post! And Anne I KNEW that's what you wore to write in. I just knew it! All you need is a couple of shirtless hunks with giant fans to wave and the picture would be complete. I work at Walmart. I have and entire closet of navy blue shirts and khaki colored slacks. Have I mentioned I despise navy blue shirts and khaki slacks? Should I ever be fortunate enough to make writing my full-time career I will have a giant bonfire and burn every navy blue shirt and pair of khaki slacks I own! Or perhaps I will donate them to the nearest homeless or battered women's shelter. Suffice it to say, the moment I leave Walmart forever you will NEVER see me in Navy or Khaki ever again!

And I usually write in my PJs or some nice flannel sleep pants (the men's styles are so much nicer than those for women!)and one of my writing themed t-shirts. I live in the middle of nowhere on five acres so I can go outside in my PJs and no one notices except my dogs and my neighbor's cows. I do, however, always wear purple aloe fuzzy socks for writing. If my feet are comfy, I'm good!

[Mary Jo Putney]

Louisa--

How dreadful to have to wear the colors you like least! But at least you do have a pair of lucky purple aloe fuzzy socks!

[Anne Gracie]

Louisa, well OF COURSE I am flanked by shirtless hunks waving large fans -- it's summer here and very hot. What else is a woman to do? The only reason I didn't mention them was... well, some of the other wenches might get a trifle envious.

I'm doing my tax at the moment, though and I'm wondering whether to file the hunks under research, air-conditioning or inspiration. Decisions, decisions. And the tax department can get so persnicketty.

Sigh. People have no idea how difficult it is to be a writer!

[deniz]

Great idea for a post! I can't stay away from pyjamas, though. I wonder if I'd write different scenes if I had a blazer or a Hawaiian shirt on?

[Mary Jo Putney]

**Great idea for a post! I can't stay away from pyjamas, though. I wonder if I'd write different scenes if I had a blazer or a Hawaiian shirt on?
**

The only way to find out is to experiment. *g*

[Mary Jo Putney]

Anne--I'd suggest you consult our resident Wench accountant about the deductibility of your hunks, but Aussie tax law might be different. Given the hot summer, I'd suggest listing them as office expenses for cooling the air with their fans.

[Quilt Lady]

I wear sweat pants and t-shirts about all the time. Its the only way to go. Now I dress a little better if I am going out in public but here at home I live in my sweats.

[Mary Jo Putney]

Quilt Lady--

I think that once we get used to wearing comfortable clothing, it's very hard to go back to less comfortable stuff. When I think of what women used to wear....!!!!

[Cara Elliott/Andrea Penrose]

Tracey, glad to see there another fleece fanatic out there! I truly live in those pullovers and jackets!

[Mary Jo Putney]

Fleece is just soooooooooo cozy. My cats love it, too, so my fleece pullovers often have cat hair on them. *g*

[Laura]

Mary Jo, what a fun, fun post!! (And everyone else, too). Mary Jo, you DEfinitely have pashminas of passion - in very passionate colors. wowza. Totally coool. I have a couple pashminas but nothing passionate like that!

For work, I go with a lot of black, got to dress up a bit, but i put a bit of color with it.

You'll be able to tell instantly from my next comment that my at-home wear is totally comfort/slob. I read Anne's entry and laughed uproariously. I presumed she was kidding. Some of the comments above indicate I'm wrong - oops! Apologies, Anne. WowZA.

Anyhoo, fun, fun post. Thank you, Mary Jo! And everyone else - Very impressive, everyone, with not just the descriptions but the photos. Great fun.