No, Y'all, Post #18

[usedtobeljs]

I am swinging by briefly to say Nope, Do Not Want to a line of argument about What to Wear When Working at Home.

Adam Tschorn of the LA Times wrote a column, already widely linked across these wild internets, in which he posits that if one is working from home, one should dress in business-appropriate clothes, for Reasons. (He lays out the reasons in his piece.)

One might say, "L, you have recently (as in your last post) mentioned that you do dress up for work at home. You must agree with this fashion writer, yes?"

Oh hell no.

FOR MYSELF, choosing an outfit as I always would and wearing something attractive is self-care. It makes me happy, as clothes always do, and every morning I enjoy the five minutes of considering what I'll put on and coordinating my Lewk (the word I love, used by Tom Lenk in his video recreations of fashion). Even so, I don't wear my fave heels because I will be going out in the backyard three or four or a dozen times with Miss Adventure during the day. I'm still aware of where I am.

But I would not in any way shape or form wish to judge others' self-care strategies. If jammies or yoga trousers or an aged terry-cloth robe give you peace in this hideous time, you rock those jammies, yoga trousers, aged robe, whatever.

Take care of yourself, friends.

Two three-sentence fics on the topic of Dressing at Home During Pandemic, with two different types of responses:


Mycroft notices that Anthea, sheltering in place with him at the country house, has an interesting approach to the mental-health challenges therein: she is stealing his clothes.

It began with his shirts (which, to be fair, she has been stealing as long as they've been together), worn loosely over her skinny jeans; it has progressed to her padding around the house in this attire, plus his cashmere winter socks, plus one of his Hermes ties as a belt.

"Darling, what else of mine are you planning on stealing?" he says one afternoon; she replies by dropping onto his lap and kissing away his breath.




During this fucking awful time, Ellie has decided on her protest strategy, which is, not wearing proper trousers.

She wore yoga clothes to a crime scene last week, with her overcoat thrown over as a sop to professional composure; she's decided that this is the fucking way forward until essential workers get a break and this virus goes all the fuck away.

Her Hardy is of course suited and booted as usual, until she pushes him against the wall in their kitchen and whispers in his ear, "Wear casual clothes, man, it's crisis time, and I won't sleep with you again until you dress properly for it" -- which is a perfectly judged threat, and brings his sweet blue jumper out of retirement.

Comments

[roguedemon]

Words cannot possibly express the extent to which this dude deserves to be dipped in honey and left on top of a large anthill.

I know what you mean though. I enjoy makeup and I’ve been wondering when I’ll ever be able to wear lipstick again, which is my go to when I need to perk myself up to go out. I’m thinking that until we have a vaccine I’ll have to wear masks in public. That is, when we can even go out in public.

Lovely ficlets. ❤️❤️

[usedtobeljs]

I wear lipstick and perfume every day for myself, even if I'm not going beyond my backyard. It makes me feel better if I walk past a mirror. ;) But yes, I'm also thinking that with masks being the order of the day, I might have to go so far as eyeliner.

Hugs hugs, friend!

[anne_d]

We're all having a hard enough time coping without some *expletive* judging our appearance. Do what makes you happy, yes!

Hugs, and thank you for the petite stories.

[usedtobeljs]

Exactly. This is not the time to be judging others' comfort choices! :)

All hugs, A!

[gwynnega]

I've been working at home in comfy clothes for years; I do always change out of what I slept in, though.

::hugs::

[usedtobeljs]

Even now I get up and put on workout clothes first, because I'm currently out in the backyard with the Corgi multiple times in my first hours of the day, and because it inspires me to work out. But that works for me.

Of course you have comfy-cute Boden clothes to wear too!

Hugs, Gwynne.

[kathyh]

I always wear comfortable clothes around the house but they are not what I sleep in. If I go outside my own front door even for a short walk now I change into something else even if it is still casual. People should do what makes them feel even slightly normal in these strange times.

Lovely ficlets :)

[usedtobeljs]

My daytime attire is always walk-to-the-mailbox ready. :)

Cheers and hugs to you, K!

[alhbooks]

As a person who has mostly worked from home for the last 20 years (except for book buying and book fairs) my rule is to put on something I could wear to drop packages through the slot at the post office if necessary, ideally within 10 minutes of dragging myself out of bed.

I have been trying to put all the recently completed knitted garments into rotation as much as possible...that about covers it.

LOVE THE FICLETS. Also the other stuff for which I owe you feedback. Enjoying the rereading.

[usedtobeljs]

I love that you're putting the recently completed garments into rotation! Your knitting is so beautiful. :)

Hugs and thanks, and no worries!

[janus_74]

The good part about working from home is that it's warmer than my office so I could wear some of my nice sleeveless tops for meetings. Other than that it's comfort wear...might even be shorts weather soon!

[usedtobeljs]

Nice! Follow your clothing bliss! :)

Happy week, T.

[desdemonaspace]

You make a persuasive point about self-care. I'm a lazy soft cuddly robe wearer, but I have to say it felt good to get dressed and put on makeup yesterday.

OK, so I Googled Tom Lenk video recreations of fashion and it is equally hilarious and creepy. His Olsen twins alone are right-on in their ghastliness. (Did Spike or Angel turn them??)

Thanks!

[usedtobeljs]

Tom Lenk's Twitter and his Lenk Lewks for Less (where he recreates red-carpet or runway looks with just stuff he finds in his house) are hilarious. :)

Hugs!