Monday 20 May 2019

The Fashionable Writer



I adore autumn, it is hands down my favourite time of year. The nights are cool, the days fresh yet still enough heat in them to enjoy being outside. The trees are turning every shade of red, orange and yellow. It’s magical.

It’s also my favourite time for shedding the summery outfits and shifting into comfy slouchy autumn wear. Jeans. Who doesn’t love jeans? They are the perfect pant (IMO). Dressed up or dressed down, they work with all types of shoes and really, denim is one of the easiest colours to work with as a base.

You’re probably wondering what I’m rambling on about by now? But I thought, given it’s my favourite time of year, that it would be fun to talk about a writer’s wardrobe. Contrary to popular opinion, just because you can do your job wearing PJs, it doesn’t mean it’s the choice we all make.

So, I’ve detoured out into the writing wilderness to ask the serious question:

What is your writing outfit?

Here are my ‘fashionable writer’ results below

Left: Active-wear Writer
Right: Lounge-wear Writer
Sketches by Jayne Kingsley
The Active-wear Writer
Enjoying leggings and a baggy tee, these writers are ready to jump up and go for a walk at any moment to ensure those creative juices continue to flow.
Most likely dressed from a selection of Kmart and country road, black is always the best answer.

The Lounge-wear Writer
Praise the day that lounge wear became a thing. Who knew that wearing tracksuit pants would actually become a fashion yes, not just a fashion faux-pas. (Apparently not me when I was 14 and went down the street in matching bottle green tracky-dacks and jumper, but that’s another story). Here are the eternally comfortable yet stylish writers, those whose wardrobes are filled to the brim with Susan’s latest catalogue.


Left: Denim is the only option Writer
Right: Stylish Writer
Sketches by Jayne Kingsley
Denim is the only option Writer
This is popular among the mum writers. Those who actually have to leave the house and look presentable, when really, they’d prefer to be wearing their PJS all day. I might add this is most definitely where I fall. Denim lover forever!

The Stylish Writer
These are writers who are just plain stylish and would be no matter what they did with their lives. Yes, you know who I’m talking about, those people you imagine wake up, their make-up already in place, bad hair days don’t exist, and they have an aura of effortless cool. I aspire to be this writer, a girl’s gotta dream right ;)





The Office-wear Writer
Left: Office-wear Writer
Right: Pjs Writer
Sketches by Jayne Kingsley
These are people who have a job and find time to write around that – amazingly organised writers these ones. I’ve also had writers tell me that wearing their work clothes helps them turn on their inner dialogue better – because they feel like they are still in work mode. I have decided to try this – might be a good use for my collection of heels.

The PJs Writer
You knew it was coming. It’s a big draw card on the working as a writer list of perks. Of course the hard slog that is writing, coupled with intense self doubt and a strong requirement for chocolate… well it just says PJs doesn’t it?





In case any of you would like a further giggle – I highly recommend this article by Maggie Downs for The Coachella Review. It made me laugh and really, if you’re a writer, I bet you will also see the humour in this piece.

I love to love... denim jeans
I love to laugh... at my outfit of pjs and heels
I love to learn... other people’s views on the importance of a ‘work’ uniform, and do writers have a work uniform that helps them

So, these are my ‘bit of fun’ writer fashion groupings. What about you? Are you a lover of Autumn fashion? Do you have a special outfit you gravitate to for your writing? And does it help you get those words out on paper or keyboard?


15 comments:

  1. Hi Jayne! Love your sketches! I'm definitely a loungewear writer. I've tried the pjs thing but always end up feeling lazy and I then have to go and put on actual clothes. One winter I went with onesies. Never again! The visits to the icy bathroom were torture. Tracky dacks forever!

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    1. Hi Marilyn, Onesies are definitely an issue for the bathroom breaks, perhaps they need to come up with ones that zip off around the middle :) The loungewear trend has certainly been a godsend for me - who doesn't love comfort!

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  2. Oh, what fun! I'm a loungewear writer too. Tracky daks rule, and ugg boots this time of year. Comfort is king in this house.
    I don't mind the idea of active wear though. Maybe wearing lycra would encourage more exercise? Push-ups as we plot? Burpees while we brainstorm?

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    1. Hi Cathryn, Thanks for commenting :) Comfort is king in my house too! I have tried wearing active wear to see if it makes me more active - It made me feel nice and active but alas it didn't get me outside running far (except maybe running for the cupboard for a chocolate snack, hmm, maybe that's where i'm going wrong.) I do find going for a long walk helps me ease out plot problems - I think you're onto something there! :)

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  3. I'm the work-wear writer as I do have a full time job and try to fit my writing in when I can. If I was a full time writer I would be a lounge-wear for sure.

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    1. Hi Cass, I used to love my office wear wardrobe :) I hope you're finding time to get words down around your job :) Loungewear certainly seems to be the winning outfit of choice so far!

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  4. Love this! I would definitely go for comfort. The sort of I'm going to be comfy sitting down all day type of wear, but also the clothes that are not going to traumatise the delivery man if I have to open the door, or frighten small children if I have to duck out for milk. I love your sketches Jayne, they make everyone look gorgeous. I laughed at the article, particularly the guy. I now have slipper envy, although I had to look up what a Cthulhu is... not terribly the wiser as a result but {{{shrug}}}, slipper envy. I'm not sure what universe that $7,057 wardrobe belongs in but you've got one, right? Riiiiight? ;)

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    1. Hi Miranda, Thank you for your comment! I think i've maybe traumatised our delivery man before, he now just leaves parcels at the front door and runs away!
      I absolutely have that wardrobe LOL - it goes well with my target slippers and kiddies snot stains (sorry for the visual ;)

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  5. Mon-Fri have full-time job so it's work-wear then. Weekends - either lounge wear or pj's (latter if I'm not expecting any visitors!). Also, barefoot in warm weather, slippers when it's cold.

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    1. Hi Enisa,
      Slippers are definitely a winner for the colder months. Maybe i'll have to research different slipper types for writing :D I've been known to wear my pjs most of the weekend - go for comfort I say! :)

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  6. I'm a lounge wear writer and I'm a mum and I do leave the house but I just don't care. Haha �� I'm too lazy to worry about what other people are thinking of my kmart tracksuit and messy bun ��

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    1. Hi Suzie, You totally rock those tracksuits and messy buns :) This is what I love about the world today - fashion can be whatever you want it to be, and who cares what anyone else thinks - It should be whatever makes you personally happy!

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  7. I’m a jeans girl, though for today I’m wearing workout pants and a black hoodie.

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    1. Hi Sasha, Jeans really are the best! I'm in work out gear today - hoping to fit in some words after i've taken my kids to inflatable world (yes its a big warehouse filled with inflatable jumping castles), fingers crossed it wears them out. I fear it may wear me out first but let's see! Thank you for commenting :)

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  8. Hi Jayne, I’m a lounge-wear writer. Track pants are so comfortable. I also tend to put on a hat, and go for a walk when inspiration doesn’t strike. It’s a great way to get ideas flowing.

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