Tuesday, September 20, 2011

Fashion Secrets of the Self-Employed


Sofia Vergara from "Modern Family" at the Emmy Awards - my favorite show!
Two events got me thinking about this topic. The first is that over the past few weeks I've been cleaning out my closet and getting rid of things that I haven't worn in years. Second, I watched the Emmy Awards on Sunday night and saw all the glamorous clothing - the gowns and the shoes and the hair and the jewels and thought about what we wear and how we are judged by what we choose to put on in the mornings. And about how much I really don't care. So, for those of you that don't have to go to an office every day, here's a few tips:

1.) When you're working in the studio or around the house the object of your clothing is comfort and durability, certainly not style. For instance, today I'm wearing a pair of sweat pants that have paint all over them and a t-shirt that I've had for, probably, 10 years. I mean, the work that I do is messy and I wouldn't want to stain or burn anything nice.

2.) When you do have to be around people you should wear clothes at least a little better. I have to go to town later in the day I'll change into jeans and a newer t-shirt. (After all, I'm going to WalMart, and I might see someone I know.) When I work at one of the galleries I try to dress nicer so the the public doesn't think I'm a complete slob, or that the gallery is run by a homeless person.

3.) When you're at home you can get away with wearing the same clothes for several days in a row, as long as you haven't sweated in them and gotten them stinky. Underwear is excluded. Clean underwear every day is a must! (And, it can't have holes in it. Just ask my Mom.) This will also cut down on the amount of laundry you have to do.

4.) When the delivery truck arrives don't get your feelings hurt when the driver laughs at you. He's just jealous that he has to wear a uniform and can't get away with wearing the awesome grubby clothes that you get to wear.

I hope you'll keep this in mind if you happen to drop  by without calling first. Not that it would make much difference because if I know you well enough to have you drop by, then I don't care if you see me in my usual wardrobe. I know you love me anyway.

6 comments:

Liz Hall said...

This is 100% Spot on - love it! as I am wearing the same outfit I had on yesterday (but did change the undies!) Later when I go to the post office I will change it up a bit and probably brush my hair!

Alice Walkowski said...

Good post and oh so right. Now that I'm not teaching I have nothing to wear but capris, jeans and t-shirts. I wore the same dress to the funeral home for a viewing and to the funeral. (Just changed the jacket so no one would notice.)

Dressing up is too much work and not as comfortable.

Somedays I don't even get out of my pajamas (and pray that no one comes to the door.) Sometimes ya just have to do that.

Fred & Lynn Racey said...

A very enjoyable read, Zoe, although some pictures of your outfit would have been nice...NOT! LOL! Thanks!

Catherine Witherell said...

Sometimes I don't answer the door because what I am wearing really shouldn't be seen! Ha, ha! Good post Zoe. xo

Kathy Van Kleeck said...

So funny ... so true! Thanks for a nice morning chuckle.

Yep, my work-at-home wardrobe is usually the same outer layers most every day; yes - clean undies are a must, but for some reason I love things with holes in them. A couple of my favorite studio pieces are kind of miraculous - sometimes, I've gotta wonder what's keeping them on. I call this look my 'skanky housewife outfit'. The spousal unit shakes his head in wonder. :-)

PeculiarForest said...

This is so meeeeee! I am rubbish at getting myself dressed and trying to look cool :S