A Roman woman writer, Terentia or Terenzia. She wears the gold hairnet common to the Imperial Period in Pompeii.
Image source: Wikimedia Commons
This post is a bit of fun. Many women – myself included – love clothes and deciding what image we’re going to portray with our dress style. So today’s post is all about the fashions of historical and modern writers in different countries and genres.
Even Jane Austen loved talking about the latest fashions when she wasn’t writing. She once wrote to her sister, “My cloak came on Tuesday, and, though I expected a good deal, the beauty of the lace astonished me. It is too handsome to be worn — almost too handsome to be looked at.”
Today’s post is mainly for women, but if you’re interested, I can post a version for the gents later on!
Does any of this actually matter?
There’s a serious side to fashion.
Let’s say it’s time to finish writing your book. If you feel creative wearing certain clothes, wear them every time you write and you’ll write more often and with more energy!
Then it’s time to promote the book. If you know that you are wearing something that makes you look your best, you’ll feel more confident and find it easier to talk about your creative work with others. If you have a great profile photo, you won’t hesitate to get in touch with someone on LinkedIn. When you’re at a writer’s festival and you have a two-minute chance to chat with a publisher in an elevator after a session, you’ll speak with confidence knowing you look and feel your best, your most creative, your most “writerly”.
Writers come in all shapes and sizes, so ultimately you should choose whatever you feel most confident and creative in (thanks, Modern Mrs Darcy) as your “writer” outfit. But here are some ideas if you’ve never thought about dressing like a writer before…
How about some inspiration from historical women writers who paved the way for you?
(These lovely lady authors are listed in chronological order, or as near as I could make it.)
First up, our heroic women writers from the 1700s to 1800s:
Jane Austen, novelist
The lace, the frills! Image source: PA via Huffington Post
Charlotte Bronte, novelist
The ribbon… Portrait by George Richmond
Louisa May Alcott, novelist
Love those sleeves, and the high neckline. Pretty and modest. Image source: Seeds of Success
The 1900s, a time of change:
Virginia Woolf, novelist and short fiction writer
When she was younger, the white lace was in trend. Image source: Platinum print taken by George Charles Beresford, 1902, courtesy of Hulton Archive and Getty Images
When she was older – the black against those pearls! Image source: E-Verse Radio
Simone de Beauvoir, memoirist
The big, loud jewellery. Image source: Info-Escola
She loves her scarves and so do I! Image source: Photo by Henri Cartier-Bresson et Magnum, Paris, France, 1945
The only fashion statement you really need … piles of books! Image source: BooksTellYouWhy
Isabel Allende, novelist
She loves her scarves, too. Always the brightest of colours! Love that Spanish vivacity. Image source: Potter Write
Ursula K Le Guin, science fiction / fantasy novelist
Le Guin sticks to very traditional colours, grey, black, and white. Image source: Photo by Marian Wood Kolisch, from UKLG’s official website
A younger Le Guin, but same style, same colours. Image source: Fantasy Book Review
The 2000s, a new millennium:
J.K. Rowling, fantasy novelist
The picture of modern glamour. Thankfully, you don’t need to be a millionaire to achieve the same look. Image source: Harry Potter Wikia
Elizabeth Gilbert, memoirist
Alive with creative ideas, but she doesn’t let her clothing steal the attention away from what she’s saying. Image source: TED
A more mellow version, just as creative-looking. Image source: Culturosity
Christiane Amanpour, world-renowned journalist
A practical option for the foxholes of Afghanistan. Image source: The Telegraph UK
Beautiful and professional in the newsroom. Image source: ABC News
Debbie Ohi, blogger and illustrator of Inkygirl and Will Write for Chocolate webcomic for writers
A role model for those looking for an ultra-comfy fashion option. Image source: BlogTO
Pim Techamuanvivit, Chez Pim food blogger
Make a signature colour your own. Image source: Chez Pim ‘About’
Dress to the nines whenever not in the kitchen. Image source: Twitter
Ree Drummond, The Pioneer Woman food blogger for cowgirls and cowboys
Ree always dresses the part for her specific role, the cowgirl / pioneer woman. Image source: A Year With Julia
TJ Withers-Ryan, editor and copywriter, blogger
Whether working or writing, I dress from historical inspiration along modern lines. I had to rely on my webcam for this shot so please forgive the graininess!
One last thing! A new inspiring outfit doesn’t have to cost a fortune. My entire outfit above including shoes and watch cost less than $70 AU.
What’s your favourite writing outfit?
This post was written by TJ Withers-Ryan © 2015. Re-blogging is always highly encouraged as long as you credit me as the author.
TJ Withers 
Thanks for your share! I very like this article: fashion for women writers
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