What I Wear To Work
People often write to me saying, ‘I just love your style; how can I do get the ‘Fiona Dunbar’ look?’
All right, no one has EVER written to me saying that. Why would they? I’m a writer, not a telly person. And as such, my work clothes are a shambles. They consist of the following:
Favourite Jeans. Yes, they were already distressed when I bought them; now they’re positively traumatised. SECOND SKIN.
Fave cardi. It’s full of holes. I love it no less for it, and refuse to wash it (am worried it’ll shrink/become one big hole).
Yes: slippers. Avec stains. In the summer it’s flip-flops.
Here I am in the complete ensemble:
It’s also really great not washing your hair or putting on any makeup.
Trendsetter, n’est-ce pas? I wear the same jeans for several days running. When they need washing, I put on my Other Pair of Jeans, but it’s not quite the same.
This is how I look about 70% of the time. So it’s not surprising that when I go out, I relish the opportunity to glitz things up a bit:
OK, I’m not usually as OTT as this; I was channeling the Mad Men vibe for a party.
A while ago I was talking to the ultra-glamorous Liz Pichon about this, and found we both felt the same way. If you work in an office, you have to make an effort every day, so it’s a bit of a fag. Whereas for us, we can’t wait to get our glad rags on; it makes a nice change. And I don’t think I’ll ever, ever outgrow fancy dress parties; any excuse to wear a wig and bring out my inner drag queen/pantomime dame.* That said, whenever I’m off to a school visit and I see women on the train at 7.30am in tight, uncomfortable clothing, makeup and heels, I feel very glad I’m not one of them. I’m lazy; I LOVE not having to get tarted up (of course no one *has* to – that’s a whole other discussion…) I love slipping into my slippers. They’re reassuring. It’s a ritual that says, ‘time for some writing!’ and gets the creative juices flowing, like the bell for Pavlov’s dogs. (Well, except when it says ‘time for some housework/paperwork’…groan).
I’d quite like to have a trademark, though. The fabulous Sarah MacIntyre has her vintage-style spectacles and hats:
Note also the brilliant hand-made placard!
Jacqueline Wilson has her rings, Philip Ardagh his beard, Philip Reeve his suave tailoring. Terry Pratchett and Frances Hardinge also have trademark hats, and Chris Priestley has his bootlace ties. Maybe my trademark is my petite stature – or possibly the KILLER HEELS I wear to compensate (though I’ll probably have to give up on those eventually) One thing you *won’t* find me in publicly, for sure: my work clothes!
I’d love to know what other GHB bloggers wear when they’re writing (PJ’s? A onesie?) Perhaps we could have pics (Susie?) And I’d like to know if readers have a favourite ‘writer look’, or a trademark to suggest! There’s nothing remotely necessary about a trademark, of course – I just have rather a fondness for them. Over to you.
* Technically this would mean I’m a man, but you get my drift.
Cool!My style is just:a scarf,sandles,t-shirt,and shorts.
Sounds a bit chilly for January!
Only silk scarf now!(And other clothes,oblivously
)
Stylish purple fluffball slippers, ehem. But I do always put make-up on. And sometimes I wear my more ludicrous outfits because they deserve an outing every once in a while, even if that outing’s only as far as my coal hole writing lair. Firework trousers, anyone? Silver cowboy hat?
Hi phraseandfable, you always put makeup on? Even at home? Ah, if only people could post pics in their replies! I’m sure silly slippers must abound. I also really want to see a picture of you in your firework trousers and silver cowboy hat! Maybe we can set up a gallery. Over to you, Susie!
Ooh, I was discussing this very thing with my sister recently when she asked me why I’d chosen such a bright orange shade of hair dye for this month’s root ‘enhancement’. I told her that being an author I was required to ‘build my brand’ and was therefore turning myself into a caricature – orange hair, plaits, comedy geek glasses and cheesy grin. At home I revert to ‘slob woman’ of course!
Yes Cathy, that is how I picture you! (Well, not sure I’ve ever seen you in plaits). I guess that as with nicknames, a trademark look is either going to occur organically, or not at all. It isn’t something that can be forced. I may have to content myself with my smallness, combined with my own cheesy grin!
Aah, this explains why I am always so ready to dress up and get into character for school visits – lately, I have been a superhero and an alien headmistress… At home, I have a huge, long grey, shapeless jumper that I wear every day in the winter over pyjama bottoms or leggings depending on the time of day.
Yes indeed – and I probably would too, if it was relevant to my books. Any excuse! As it is, it’s the kids that dress up at my events. Yup, leggings are great too – I often wear them in the summer. Combined with big jumper, you can pretend you’re actually wearing Proper Clothes, and get away with it for that nip to the corner shop.
Reading this in my pjs, I’ve just noticed it’s after 2 o’clock – I think that answers your question! No trademark author garb for appearances – but you have started me thinking about hats…
But what are the PJs *like*, Jen? Are they like men’s ones? Silly print? *Ladies’* PJs are bobbins really, aren’t they? I bet there aren’t any of us who do our writing in 3/4 length cotton and lace.
Cherry red with roses on the bottoms, Fiona – my other fave pair are lilac with diamante trim. Thinking about it, they’re not actually nightwear at all – I throw them on when I get out of bed!
I don’t have a style, I tend to just wear Jeans or leggins with a t-shirt or or dress, and a jumper if it’s cold. Simple, nothing fancy. Maybe I need to come up with something for when I get published so i will stand out. Any suggestions?
Good grief, no no! I wasn’t being entirely serious when I talked about author trademarks; it was an idle observation. I may still grow one – I may not. Just BE YOURSELF! (PS When I say ‘grow’: no, I am not considering a beard).
I work AND write – so when there are VIPs visiting, it’s blacks and a purple jacket, but when it’s just cataloguing, especially with book-moving, it’s anything that won’t show dust and red rot (horrid stuff that happens to cheap leather bindings) and is comfortable to sit in for long periods. When I’m at home writing I wear the same – except that if the VIPs have been I sling the purple jacket on the bed and put on my fluffy wine-red cardi…
Hi Jane, well I know you don’t mean it this way, but it sounds as if you’re saying writing isn’t working! But it’s OK, I know what you’re saying.
If I had VIPS coming to my house I’d probably spend an hour doing my hair & makeup each time. A drain on my creative resources. Alternatively I could embrace the hijab.
I knooow – I spotted that just after I hit return, and my inner copy-editor biffed me over the head
Shall I just say, I have a paid job for and a (mostly) unpaid job? – both of which I’m lucky enough to enjoy 
Loved this, Fiona! Especially your Mad Men picture. Wow. I wear comfy trousers (sometimes pyjama – not always) and a big, baggy sweater to write. Slippers too, unless I’m writing in bed. (I liked yours.) And I’ll take any chance to dress up in dresses, jewellery and heels. Bring it on!
Hi Sophia, the Mad Men thing is so ridiculous, though…I had to have special eyelid workout sessions just to hold up those false eyelashes.
High five, though: another dresser-upper! You do look vair glam whenever I see you.
Usually it’s tracking pants, a top and a sweater/ a light cardigan depending on the weather. Every now and then (esp. when I have to write about some glitz/glamour/party) I put on red lipstick, spray a vamp perfume around the house and wear stupidly high-heeled boots. Gets me in the mood and gives me a little change that always lifts the spirits