What do you Wear When You Write?

@akalinus (42752)
United States
September 29, 2024 1:53pm CST
I once joined a writer's group where someone made it a rule that we had to dress professionally to attend meetings. That meant suits and ties for men and office wear for women. They said we could never write and sell anything without dressing that way. I decided to stay home and wear jeans or shorts and old T-shirts or sweats. I sold two articles during that time. What do you wear when you write?
19 people like this
20 responses
@Deepizzaguy (100862)
• Lake Charles, Louisiana
29 Sep
Gym shorts and tee shirts when I write behind a desk.
3 people like this
@akalinus (42752)
• United States
1 Oct
It sounds good to me. Clothes should be comfortable unless you are in public or with an editor or other important person.
2 people like this
@akalinus (42752)
• United States
1 Oct
That sounds great to me. I am wearing shorts and a blouse of many colors right now.
2 people like this
@Deepizzaguy (100862)
• Lake Charles, Louisiana
1 Oct
@akalinus I try to work comfortable.
2 people like this
@xstitcher (31942)
• Petaluma, California
1 Oct
Oh, my gosh... Uh, I wear jeans and t-shirts...or culottes and t-shirts...or my pjs! I once took a creative writing class at the Junior college, and one of the things the teacher said was that a story should not start with dialogue. I didn't say it out loud, but I thought, "Uh...ever read Tom Sawyer?!? The very first word in it is "Tom!" sounds like dialogue to me...
3 people like this
@akalinus (42752)
• United States
1 Oct
Grammar and writing rules are meant to be broken. You have to know the rules first and then have a good reason to break them. Carry on.
1 person likes this
@akalinus (42752)
• United States
2 Oct
I remember my mom reading Tom Sawyer to us way back in the mists of time. It was an education with all the superstitions and Tom in love with Becky Thatcher and taking the blame for something she did. I can't talk about the other interesting character because of offended people.
1 person likes this
• Eldoret, Kenya
1 Oct
@akalinus That sounds hilarious my friend!
2 people like this
@divalounger (5956)
• United States
2 Oct
Pants and a tee shirt most of the time--I get lots of poetry published so I guess that is ok--
2 people like this
@akalinus (42752)
• United States
2 Oct
I am not a poet but I have advice for poetry writers because a published and paid for poet gave a lot of great advice at writer's meetings. The most important thing she said is to keep a poetry journal. In it, write about anything that moves you, the colors of a sunset, impressions of people, and emotions at different times. She said do what interests you and helps with the poetry you want to write. You pick what is important. You think you will remember these things later but you won't. What kind of poetry do you write and where is it published?
1 person likes this
• United States
2 Oct
@akalinus I write in long hand first--sometimes those become poems--often not--but the act of writing in a notebook keeps the metaphor juices going--so it is sort of like what your friend does--I write in free verse--often short or shorter pieces--published in some journals, blog, medium and a couple of anthologies--my name is Audrey Howitt--
1 person likes this
@akalinus (42752)
• United States
3 Oct
@divalounger I will find you online or look for you, at least. Maybe tomorrow, today has gone to rot with glitches and nonsense.
@LadyDuck (468897)
• Switzerland
30 Sep
I understand if you have to attend a meeting, but at home I dress as I feel comfortable.
2 people like this
@LadyDuck (468897)
• Switzerland
1 Oct
@akalinus - When I worked with my husband I dressed up, but now that I am at home I like comfortable clothes.
3 people like this
@akalinus (42752)
• United States
1 Oct
@LadyDuck I did not know you worked together. I think you should wear whatever makes you feel good and comfortable.
2 people like this
@akalinus (42752)
• United States
30 Sep
That is the sensible thing to do. These meetings were just listening to people read their stories and tell what we think of them. No biggies.
1 person likes this
@LindaOHio (173626)
• United States
30 Sep
I'm comfortable when I write; and I've written over 1,000 articles and reviews. Have a good week.
2 people like this
@akalinus (42752)
• United States
30 Sep
That is a lot of articles. Where do you publish them or do you mean 1000 plus on myLot? I have 650 but I deleted some because they did not get answers.
2 people like this
@akalinus (42752)
• United States
1 Oct
@LindaOHio Oh yes, Bubblews. I missed Epinions somehow. I wrote for Helium and Yahoo Voices among other places. I think there was Story Lane or something similar.
2 people like this
@LindaOHio (173626)
• United States
1 Oct
@akalinus I wrote a lot of reviews on Epinions and one other site that I can't remember, Bubblews, I had my own movie review blog, and several other sites that have tanked.
2 people like this
• Cloverdale, Indiana
29 Sep
I don't worry about what I wear when I'm at home on mylot cause no 1 can SEE what I'm wearing when I'm on here so I'd say some may think that way but if your home & no 1 can see what your wearing what difference does it make??
2 people like this
@akalinus (42752)
• United States
29 Sep
I thought the rule was silly. I write better whén wearing what I want at the moment.
3 people like this
• Cloverdale, Indiana
29 Sep
@akalinus that's what I say.
3 people like this
@akalinus (42752)
• United States
29 Sep
@2ndchances24 I could write in my underwear but we have neighbors who freak out at everything.
2 people like this
• Philippines
30 Sep
I guess if they are meetings, I agree that we wear a bit formal, but when I write at home I just wear my shorts and blouse, and when I am outside I just wear my comfy jeans and normal shirt, lol! I feel comfortable wearing casual dress code and a pair of rubber shoes.
2 people like this
@akalinus (42752)
• United States
30 Sep
That sounds good. I do that too. I wear whatever is comfortable at the time and try to look proper if I need to go somewhere.
@sallypup (60240)
• Centralia, Washington
2 Oct
Office wear for women bugs me personally cause heeled shoes harm the back. What do my husband and I wear when we write? Whatever we feel like. What do we wear when we go to poetry readings? Whatever is clean.
1 person likes this
@akalinus (42752)
• United States
2 Oct
I know the feeling. I wore heels and ruined my feet. I went to some poetry readings. The last one got wild and wooly. People were reading lines and playing drums. I think they got carried away with it but that's just me. They forgot we were there and no one cared what anyone else was wearing.
1 person likes this
@akalinus (42752)
• United States
10h
@sallypup That sounds like fun.
1 person likes this
@sallypup (60240)
• Centralia, Washington
2 Oct
@akalinus That sounds like fun if it was done well. I used to read my poetry in groups quite often.
1 person likes this
@JESSY3236 (19724)
• United States
1 Oct
I wear pjs or loungewear. Right now I'm wearing an old t shirt and white tie-dyed cargo pants.
1 person likes this
@akalinus (42752)
• United States
1 Oct
That sounds like a great writing outfit.
1 person likes this
@nela13 (57834)
• Portugal
1 Oct
When I am at home I wear comfortable clothes but lately I don't write as often as I used to.
1 person likes this
@akalinus (42752)
• United States
1 Oct
Everyone needs a break from writing sometimes. We just run out of ideas or can't figure out how to write something. Do something fun for a while and the urge to write will return.
1 person likes this
@akalinus (42752)
• United States
10h
@nela13 I am happy for you. I'm glad you thought of an idea and ran with it.
1 person likes this
@nela13 (57834)
• Portugal
1 Oct
@akalinus I wrote a new text for Hubpages after talking with you.
1 person likes this
@Shivram59 (33970)
• India
30 Sep
Depends on season.In summer I wear pyzama.In winter I prefer to put on a sweater.Actually I feel comfortable in light cloths.
1 person likes this
@akalinus (42752)
• United States
1 Oct
Do you wear pajamas when you are in your store? They are great for writing though.
1 person likes this
@akalinus (42752)
• United States
2 Oct
@Shivram59 It is a good place to write and study. Pajamas are a perfect writing outfit. I know you are very busy with your shop all day and are a successful businessman.
1 person likes this
@Shivram59 (33970)
• India
1 Oct
@akalinus No;I wear pajamas in my bedroom.It is there where I write.I don't have time to write when I'm in my shop.
2 people like this
@SIDIKIMPOLE (1523)
• Eldoret, Kenya
1 Oct
That's very interesting. Well, I just like wearing casually, a jeans and a T-shirt. That makes me write comfortably!
1 person likes this
@akalinus (42752)
• United States
1 Oct
Me, too. That is one of the good things about writing. Unless you go to an office, no one outside sees you. You can wear whatever you want.
@Dreamerby (3321)
• Calcutta, India
3 Oct
I would wear a formal shirt and formal pant if they strictly want professional attire.
1 person likes this
@akalinus (42752)
• United States
3 Oct
The group did not last long. There were a lot of bizarre rules and the people in the group wanted to see and hear fellow writers, not concentrate on rules. The meetings were at night when everyone was already tired from the day's activities.
1 Oct
I wear comfortable clothes I would only wear at home when I write because I mostly write in my journal when I get up in the morning and before bed and I am just getting up or getting ready to go to sleep I write to relax so I what i am most comfortable in. I am not sure what office wear is for women, but if I went to the writer's group that you mentioned if there was no rule on how to dress at least in the summer I would be wearing a skirt each time they met. that is how i am comfortable out of the house
1 person likes this
@akalinus (42752)
• United States
1 Oct
I was always decently covered at writer's group meetings but often wore jeans with a blouse or sweatshirt. Nothing fancy. I miss the groups.
@AmbiePam (90116)
• United States
29 Sep
I wear the most comfortable thing possible.
1 person likes this
@akalinus (42752)
• United States
1 Oct
You are a writer after my own heart.
1 person likes this
@RasmaSandra (78530)
• Daytona Beach, Florida
29 Sep
Comfortable house dresses.
1 person likes this
@akalinus (42752)
• United States
1 Oct
The best writing outfit is something that you love to wear and looks good.
1 person likes this
@TheHorse (215793)
• Walnut Creek, California
7h
I am writing now. I am wearing only a ring on my left pinky. Any further questions?
@JudyEv (336692)
• Rockingham, Australia
30 Sep
If you're going to meet a publisher or whatever then you might need to dress up but otherwise I'd be wearing whatever I was comfortable in.
1 person likes this
@akalinus (42752)
• United States
1 Oct
Oh yes, I agree. I would try to be presentable for something like that.
1 person likes this
@dya80dya (36395)
29 Sep
If I write here no one can see me. I am wearing pajamas sometimes.
1 person likes this
@akalinus (42752)
• United States
1 Oct
My friends say they wear pajamas around the house. I don't know why I don't. If they feel good when you are writing, I say go for it.
@somewitch (467)
30 Sep
I guess it really depends on what you're selling. If you write children's books you might get more results wearing a costume than formal attire.
1 person likes this