Wondering About Writer Wardrobes
What do writers wear? After months of writing full-time, I still do not have my “uniform” down. So, after I finish my morning pages, fueled by two cups of coffee, I search for inspo. Time flies as I scroll through Instagram, Substack and YouTube to analyze my favorite writers’ wardrobes. Shopping carts are overfilled with a hodge-podge of styles then I come to my senses, empty them, and start all over the next morning.
In other words, this is my absolute favorite way to procrastinate.
Top Row: My lawyer style icons: The Good Wife and Legally Blonde.
Bottom Row: Printfresh, Varley and Frank & Eileen.
From BigLaw Blazers to Home Office Comfort
I am super grateful writing allows me to make my own sartorial decisions. But I long for a style guide.
After twenty years lawyering, I understand the spectrum of appropriate lady lawyer attire across legal settings (in-house, government, private firm, etc.) I have closets full of dresses, Spanx, heels and suits. Blazers became my obsession after binge watching The Good Wife, and I still maintain they are absolutely crucial to being a badass boss lady. But I do not want to wear them now.
Another perk of being a writer is how wonderful it is to stay home if I want! As a lawyer, I mostly had to leave the house in order to do my job, whether it was working in the office, client meetings or conferences — all of which required me to wear actual clothes, shoes and a bra.
Not so as a writer!* How glorious it is!
Building the Perfect Writer's Capsule Wardrobe
What is the comfortable writer equivalent of a tailored blazer? (Do I dare just wear a blazer over my pajamas??)
I crave a bespoke writer capsule wardrobe that will be:
Super soft and comfortable (like Beyond Yoga-level softness)
Fashionable
Not terribly oversized but not constrictive (e.g., no leggings or anything that hugs my body)
Presentable for online zooms
Bonus points for joyful colors, rainbows, and anything iridescent!**
Your Turn: Help Me Build My Writer’s Wardrobe!
If you are a writer, what is your “uniform” (if any)? What's your go-to professional outfit? Do you have any favorite brands or pieces that seamlessly blend comfort and style and instantly make you feel like a Legit Writer?
Share your thoughts and recommendations in the comments below!
* I don’t have to leave the house now, unless I want to — which is great, but hopefully some day I will be forced to leave my house to promote my forthcoming debut novel!
** I am obsessed with Ingrid Fetell Lee’s personal style and design aesthetic. I suppose I could just copy everything she wears?
