From PassiveAgressiveNotes.com
What Are You Wearing?
If one woman asks another the question in quite that way, fur flies, nails rip and hair is probably pulled out by the roots, especially if that person is a sibling.
Working in an office a certain sartorial elegance is required, depending on the office. Girls on beauty counters tend to wear white uniforms, almost like medics, to sell their lotions and portions. Look at politicians, on second thoughts don’t. But you get the drift.
Now authors, us writer types and people who work from home, don’t need to bother too much about what we’re wearing while we chip away at the coalface of creativity. We roll out of bed, drag on sweatpants, uggs, a hoodie and we’re good to go. But this week I had a moment when I was sure I could be the sort of person who goes to the supermarket in their pyjamas. I actually saw a man in the supermarket with blue striped flannelette bottoms, rocking uggs, a woolly hat with a pompom on the top, matching scarf and blue duck down gilet. And no, I wasn’t wearing pj’s but I had to admire his courage. My mouth opened to ask him if he was an author but my DH caught my eye at just the right moment, the look saying ‘don’t even think about it’.
You see, I don’t get out much these days. My world is my wip and characters who are closer to me than my own kith and kin. I’ve turned into a woman with no filter when it comes to observing life and needing to know all the deets of what’s going on in the lives of perfect strangers. It’s got so bad that the family won’t let me go out alone. The ability to strike up intimate conversations with people I’ve never met is a worrying development. I don’t know how many times I’ve been asked, ‘Who was that?’ and I’ve absolutely no idea but they were lovely, poor things, because they always have issues. And issues are what we writers live for.
(Note to readers – be very careful in coffee shops – if you see a person banging on a laptop wearing earphones do not be fooled it’s an author. We have ears like cats and we hear everything. The affairs, pregnancies from aforesaid affairs, dumping a girlfriend, breaking bad/good news etc., is like gold dust to us. And my personal favourite – tears and tantrums – love them.)
Anyway, I’ve digressed. I bet you lot are wearing some of the following: leggings, jogging bottoms, thick socks, uggs, over big sweaters, layers, hoodie with fleece lining or pyjamas – COMFY clothes – am I right? However, if any of you are wearing those all-in-Onesie things then there’s no hope for you.
HUGS
Christine xxx
CC MACKENZIE - USA Today Bestselling Author 
Hi CC, great post. But you know, since I take my writing seriously, that it is my job, I make a point of getting up and getting dressed in real clothes (okay, the same clothes I wear to walk the dog) and go to my office as if I’m going to a real office. But I also have my big sketch pad set up on the kitchen table for diagramming and doodling.
Hellooo Rachel, you wonderful woman!
You know, you are right. But I don’t hit the chair until after ablutions, breakfast & exercise. If my DH reads this he’ll laugh at the last one. Discipline is the key. I’m only like this when in creative mode. Think demented nutty professor. You are cooking on gas, 8,000 words per day, amazing stuff.
Thank you for commenting.
xxx
Hi Christine. Great post.
Ok, full disclosure: I’m wearing workout pants, a thermal top and my workout shoes. And I do wear some variation of this get-up most days, until it switches to workout shorts and tank tops later in the spring. BUT-I do own a gym so my gym clothes are sort of my work clothes too and double as my hang out, clean the house and writer clothes. My favorite outfit is jeans, t-shirt, hoodie and flip-flops. 🙂
Love seeing your blog!
LOL, Ginger.
Okay, you get a pass. So not only do you give us healthy lifestyle tips (I received help on sugar.) and recipes, you actually live in your workout gear. When you’re out and about do you ‘people watch?’ Or do you get that fix from the gym? I bet you could tell a story or two or three.
Thank you for commenting.
Hee hee — I people watch everywhere! One of my most favorite past times. And when I do go out in my jeans and maybe a cute top, flip-flops, everyone asks me why I’m so dressed up. *eye roll*
That’s the trouble with working in the fitness industry. Years ago I used to teach Dancefit. I can’t tell you how many students would meet me and say ‘I didn’t recognise you with your clothes on.’ Ahh, those were the days!
Well, I have to say you caught me on this one. I live in what I call perpetual summer, but the relaxed dress code is a definite benefit of the writing world!
I’m jealous Diane, to live in perpetual summer would be lovely. I always think it’s much easier to eat properly and exercise in a decent climate, it energises you. I’ve been meaning to tell you that your photo is fabulous. Can I come and stay?
After spending twenty years in sweats (personal trainer) I can’t do it anymore. When I’m writing I dress as though I were going to the office. I like ti think that dressing professional will help me act and produce like one. 🙂
LOL!
I had years of wearing fitness gear too. Then fitted suits in an office. You and Rachel have the same mindset, I wonder if that’s why she can produce all that work. And you’re no slouch either Prudence from what I’ve seen on your website. Certainly something to think about!
Thank you for dropping by, I appreciate all the support!
Hi, CC,
I was reading your post at my usual fast clip and stopped short after reading, “I don’t know how many times I’ve been asked, ‘Who was that?’ and I’ve absolutely no idea but they were lovely, poor things, because they always have issues. And issues are what we writers live for.”
I’d substituted tissues for issues and thought, Oh, CC’s a weeper like me. She’s right, we writers need lots and lots of tissues.
Welcome to blogging.
Pat! Thank you.
My daughters say I have one of those faces that people confide in. I call it empathy (sounds better than nosy.)
People never ever cease to amaze me.
Thank you for commenting.
Congratulations on the blog C.C.!!!!!!!! Woot! Woot! Party! Party! Party!
I have never in all my life had a problem with talking with people and they always tend to tell me everything about them. Why?
And I am a very observant person. I notice everything and have a great memory. My husband never doubts me. lol
What am I wearing right now? My P.J.’s!!! 🙂
ROFL!
It IS a party all right! What are you like? In your p.j.’s why am I not surprised????
People, this woman has been a constant in my life for the past three months, always there as a support and telling me not to worry, people weren’t going anywhere, and she’s been absolutely right!
BIG HUG KAREN!
I also make a point to get “dressed” before I start writing each morning-which for me means changing out of the flannel pjs and socks to yoga pants and a fleece sweatshirt. 🙂 Hardly a difference, but I think the act of changing is a signal to me to start working.
My mind is a different story-because when I’m in the middle of working out a story it can be dangerous to take it out in public. Ha ha.
LOL! Coleen, I know what you mean about taking your mind out in public! It’s the ‘absences’ that freak people out when they’re speaking to me.
Actually, I wear yoga pants and a fleece sweatshirt too and it is the signal to start working. I’ve started lighting a scented candle to get in the mood.
Thank you for stopping by.
xxxx
Congratulations on getting back to blogging! I am guilty of staying comfy when I write if I don’t have to go anywhere. I hate wasting the time it takes to get dressed. I know, I am pinching pennies there. It’s funny that you say we live for issues. I guess we do. When I was in high school I was the one that everyone confided all their “stuff” in. I guess I was just a good listener or have one of those faces. I don’t know why I was chosen, but I was. Today, if I got in a conversation like that my DH would be pulling me a way in a second.
Hello Vampire Girl!
Thank you for commenting, you’re DH sounds like mine. Do you get ‘the look?’ I get the ‘the look.’
Hey CC I’ve awarded you the Versatile Blogger Award. See details here: https://www.prudencemacleod.com/
Prudence! Good grief, are you mad???? LOL!
I’ll link in immediately. How do I download it? How exciting is this???
‘Woman with no filter’. That’s a great description of an authoress, CC. Love it!
LOL! Summer!
It’s too true. Thank you for commenting. And well done on your very first blog post!!
Congratulations on the award, CC! 🙂
Now, I have the writerly attire down pat except for the uggs. What are uggs? I’m desperate to find out if there is something out there which will make me even more comfortable than I already am. LOL!
Sheila!
Uggs are sheepskin boots. The best thing for writers that’s ever been invented!
xxx
Coming late to the party, but what a fun post! The guy you’re describing in the beginning sounds like something from peopleofwalmart.com - the place to go if you really want to think, “what are they wearing?” LOL!
I have a full time day job, so hanging out in PJs all day is not an option for me most of the time. But even on weekends, I get dressed in jeans and a sweatshirt before I start in - sometimes even shoes! It does put me in more of a mindset of, “it’s time to get to work.”
Hi Jeannette,
Thank you for commenting and stopping by - it’s never to late to join any party!
I think it’s great to dress comfy at home and I’m in linen pants and a t-shirt and hoodie as I write this at my home computer. And I work in the AM at my desk in pjs. But pjs out in public is a no-go. I think it just screams I don’t care and I’ve given up. I saw a woman at Outback last night in sweatpants. But she threw a wool cape over it. Yeah, I still saw the giving up underneath. Nothing dresses up sweatpants. Even diamonds. 🙂
LOL, Kourtney,
I must admit I couldn’t do it. Love the diamonds!