The Clothes In Which I Create...

[Dan Goodwin]

Following an interesting discussion with DJ in another post, what clothing do you wear when creating?

Do you have a creative "uniform"?

Do you feel more able to create in certain clothes?

Or is what you're wearing completely irrelevant to how you create?

Share your comments (and clothes!) with us below...

[Alfredo]

I think my environment is more conducive to my creativity than the clothes I am wearing. However, from an actor's perspective, I remember clothes (as well as set and props) really helping me characterize my role. I know when composing, however, that I need to be comfortable in what I am wearing so I do not feel physically uncomfortable.

[RobynG]

I wear old T-shirts and jeans to create in for 2 reasons. I don't want to stain my good clothes and I want to be completely comfortable. Sometimes I get so carried away that I forget and as I walk through the door from grocery shopping will head straight for my work bench to continue tinkering with whatever I was doing before I left to go to town. But first opportunity that I can tear myself away I will rush off to change.

[Jules]

When I was in art school I always wore silk shirts as smocks...That really used to freak the professors out, because I always get paint on myself (sometimes it's a wonder any paint gets on the canvas at all)
I was buying them at goodwill and only paying around five bucks (I never told them that part). Besides, I love love love how silk feels, and if I wait until I am not creating something, I would never get opportunity to wear it.

I don't see it so much as what clothes I will wear when I paint as naming the clothes that I won't wear to paint - thus ensuring I do have something without paint on it.

Robyn I took care of that problem you spoke of -I just wear my paint clothes to the grocery store- that way I do not forget to change when I get back :-)

I am the most comfortable working with my broken-in-just -right-might last another year levis and a tee- with a silk shirt always handy if I get chilly

[Rita B. Fox]

I don't have special clothes that I wear creating when I draw.
But I would do that when I would paint, I have enough old clothes to wear.
But at this moment it is drawing, so it is just where I am and what I am doing.

Working, I wear old clothes, at home are for a walk I mostly wear nice clothes,

Love and hugs,

Rita

[Barbara Ann Storrier]

I have a man's long sleeved shirt left over from oil painting days that has all kinds of paint smears on it. Also a couple of heavy printer's aprons. I haven't been too concerned about messing up my jeans and t shirts ... they get messed up anyway. I'm pretty much like Jules in that I just try to make sure I'm not wearing something "good" ... and I'm a pretty casual dresser so it isn't much of an issue. My "good" clothes don't get worn much, and I'm also a Goodwill shopper, and have been for years and years. Silk shirts are nice, and I have a few.

I guess comfort is the most important thing. I can create in a bathrobe or sweats or jeans and a t shirt or whatever ...

[DJ]

I'm relaxed about clothing, and don't really enjoy shopping, unless I can find a good sale and items that actually fit. But, like many people, I have certain clothes for certain tasks.
I buy inexpensive shirts and gray-white khakis with supportive sneakers for teaching art, and my students wonder why I don't cry when I get a paintbrush swipe across my forearm. (It's because I may only pay $10-$12 for the shirt.)
Even when I do make a small change like putting on my apron in the classroom, my brain gears into work mode, and I act differently.
When I get home, I want to get out of ill-fitting teacher clothes, and put on something that reflects my personality, which my husband really appreciates, since he tires of the khakis. lol.
For going out, I save black slacks and blouses that never see the classroom or studio, and my posture changes along with my mental state.
When I'm in a humming creative mode, and feel a day of painting or drawing coming on, I carefully choose my clothing, hair style, and shoes to fit my mood, because I'm so affected by this. It is then that dressing becomes a creative endeavor that expresses my chosen persona according to what I want to say in my art. Colorful? quiet? Angry? Passionate? cold? bookish? social?
Gee, I've talked myself into a visual frenzy ~ I need to go paint, now!
Love You Guys!

[Jen Nipps]

For the most part, what I wear is usually irrelevant. I usually wear blue jeans and a t-shirt. Shoes and socks are completely optional. :)

Though, with that said, I have a harder time really getting anything done if I'm dressed up. For example, I went to a Toastmasters International meeting the other day and gave my first speech. I wore a skirt, heels, jacket...The whole nine yards. Since I rode with a friend, she took me to my mother's office instead of driving an extra hour. The plan was I would write for the afternoon. It was difficult. I got some things done, but I wasn't (and still am not) happy with it. I guess in that way clothes do make a difference.

~Jen

[DJ]

YAY!
Jen's back!
Woohoo!
Glad to see you, Jen!

[Jen Nipps]

I decided I'd stop letting dial-up issues keep me away from here. :)

[DJ]

Jen,
We'll take you any way we can get you! :-)
Love & Laughter,
DJ

[Judy Allen]

I learned something from my Grandaughter some time ago. She told me, "when you don't feel good, take a shower, dress up not dressy but comfortable in something you think you look good in, do your hair and put on makeup and you will feel better" When you feel better, you are more able to create. Ergo, feeling better,looking better and creating go hand in hand. Grandaughters can sometimes teach Grandmothers. It has been a wonderful lesson for me. Cheers, Judy

[Jules]

Grandmothers who are open to learning from grandaughters (and vice-versa) are blessed.