Mirror in the office

There’s plenty in the news currently between the upcoming election (I already voted) and hurricane Sandy that is gripping the east coast. But I’m taking a detour and have thought about writers, trivia and the quirks that writers can breed into a habit.

What they wear while they write can make for trivia, too. I read somewhere that Edgar Allan Poe only wore black, while Emily Dickinson dressed solely in white as did Mark Twain.  Michael Douglas in the film, Wonder Boys, http://www.imdb.com/media/rm261274112/tt0185014 was an English Professor who hadn’t produced a speck of writing for years—he had to don an old robe to write.  I’m wondering if it’s superstition or if it’s working oneself into a mindset. Lately, I’ve been thinking if I wrote about a corporate attorney would I get more into a professional character by being garbed in suit, stockings, pumps, and makeup before starting to write.  Sort of like an actress getting into a role.

At a reading once, I heard a writer say she worked in her underwear.  No doubt there are some who write naked as well. However, I think most of us prefer to wear something. Because I start my work day around 10 am, I actually write in my version of home attire—in the long hot summer, it’s a jersey dress, because shorts will feel uncomfortable.  Other times of the year; it’s soft old jeans, and a tee-shirt.   

What we wear (or can't wear) to fuel our writing depends on our individual quirks. One of mine is writing with a happy color on; because color has a vibrational energy.  I have a cobalt blue tee, red, emerald and a deep purple, a color I love.  I wear them when I feel I need some luck — and won’t put on black or grey.  I also don’t wear orange and being a “deep winter” http://www.thechicfashionista.com/winter-color-analysis.html nothing in my wardrobe is in fact orange, but I do like rust.  I also turn up my nose to pastels, although I have a few icy shades that work for me, primarily in shades of pink and lavender. 

Physical comfort is an important part of the process, too. During the cold months I roll up the sleeves for more freedom of movement; I never wear rings, bracelets, watches because the weight and feel annoys me. I also can’t wear a necklace because I will fidget with it. But I will wear earrings. I put my hair in a clip or wear it in a ponytail to keep it out of my face when I write. Regardless of the climate shoes are out of the question—I’m either barefoot or in old socks.

I know there are ladies out there who won't be seen without makeup, but the only cosmetic I wear when I'm writing is lipstick; because I have an unconscious habit of biting my lower lip while I'm working, and the taste reminds me to leave my mouth alone.

Your writing attire is a matter of personal preference; all that really matters about writing attire is that it doesn't keep you from writing.

Do you have any particular quirks you indulge in when you dress to do your job? Let me know in comments.