The Red Scarf:
A dear poet friend laughed as she told me the story of feeling a little chilly went she went to the gym. She wore her red scarf while working out, just until she warmed up. Someone who knew her said something like, “Oh, you poets. Always have to look different,” as if wearing a red scarf was only an affectation. How pretentious to wear a scarf in a gym. Only a poet.
So my friend now proclaimed her red scarf to be her poet scarf. She’s thinking of wearing a black beret to the gym next.
Stereotypes
It’s true, some people have very clear definitions about how creative types dress, and why. As if we are being purposely bourgeois. But, admit it, you might be taken aback if your accountant wore a long, velvet-lined embroidered cape to your tax meeting. You might think twice if your gastroenterologist swept in to perform your colonoscopy wearing a tie-dyed caftan.
Yet, for some people, the very notion of “expressing” oneself through clothes is astonishing. They may wonder, “What is it exactly that one is expressing? A lifestyle, a belief?” And do people actually look at someone’s clothes and think about them the way one would a painting?
Um, yeah. For us artsy-fartsy types, that’s it exactly. We aim to be walking paintings.
Sigh.
Defining “it”
I admit I’m often flabbergasted by some people’s reactions to what I wear. When we moved into a new house in the 90s, I saw two neighbor women chatting nearby, so I hurried out to introduce myself. When they asked about me, I told them I was a writer and an artist. “Oh, yes, I can see that,” the one neighbor said, while the other nodded. They looked rather delighted at calling it. What was I wearing? A long, sleeveless batik dress, Teva sandals and a beaded necklace ad earrings. Hardly what I would define as particularly artsy.
It happened recently at dog training class, too, where all I’ve ever worn were jeans and t-shirts. Yet, when the topic of professions came around and I mentioned I was a writer, the trainer nodded. She said, “That makes sense. I thought maybe you were a…” (she shrugged) “a poet or something like that.” My jaw dropped. Like, how could she tell? Do I exude poet, like a trail of roses, candle wax or knives in my path? What? I was mystified.
Street cred
I suppose artists, poets and writers need street cred within their own profession and the wider world. Clothes can help categorize us. Dressing is itself an “art,” after all. What we wear is instinctive. We may aim to provoke or create visual interest.
Anyway, if you’re a poet, you certainly don’t want make any rookie-poet mistakes in your attire, especially during National Poetry Month. Here is a guide that will keep your dress code poetic and help prevent you from making common mistakes: The Poetry Police Bring You How To Dress Like A Poet. If you’re a writer or artist, I think you’ll get it. And laugh.
Let me know what you think! Do you have a style that you think compliments who you are?
Happy National Poetry Month!
Thank you for visiting!
Linda K. Sienkiewicz is a writer, poet, and artist.
Learn about her multi-finalist award winning novel, In the Context of Love.
Learn about her picture book, Gordy and the Ghost Crab.
Learn about her latest poetry chapbook, Sleepwalker
See LinkTree for Linda’s social media links
