https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/topic/what-to-wear-literary-reading Style Advice for Fashion Lovers en-US Sun, 05 Apr 2026 09:02:18 +0000 http://bbpress.org/?v=1.0.2 q https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/search.php https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/topic/what-to-wear-literary-reading#post-362457 Tue, 07 Jun 2011 12:48:42 +0000 Suz 362457@https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/ <p>Aha! Jeans might indeed be too hot, then. Especially skinnies, clinging to your legs and all that. Gah! </p> <p>A casual skirt would also work, in that case. Or dressier shorts, if you have them. You want the skirt to be long enough that when you sit, it doesn't ride up uncomfortably; especially if you might be sitting on a dais. But a denim skirt (or similar) could be perfect. </p> <p>Do you know the other writers? If you do (or if you feel comfortable introducing yourself) you might want to check with them about what they plan to wear! My guess is that they'll be thinking about this just as much as you are! It's really common before readings for writers to confer. Most of us aren't exactly rolling in easy cash (understatement!) and most of us could work in our gym clothes or PJs if we wanted to (at least when we are writing; what we do for our day jobs is another thing altogether). But my point is that you are far from being alone in wondering about this! </p> <p>If you keep writing and winning prizes (and I am sure you will!) then for the long term, you'll want to build a few "reading" outfits into your wardrobe. I don't know how this works in the U.S. but in Canada, if you buy these outfits specifically for an invited presentation and wear them for that purpose, you may even be able to claim them as a tax write-off. So save all your receipts! You can't get away with doing this for all your clothes, obviously, but it can make a bit difference for that "special" gala outfit. </p> https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/topic/what-to-wear-literary-reading#post-362376 Tue, 07 Jun 2011 04:22:09 +0000 Laura (rhubarbgirl) 362376@https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/ <p>Thank you, everyone! Suzq, thanks so much for all your detailed tips - I have copied your post so that I can refer to it again before the event. This is one of the first real 'public' events I've done as a writer so even though it's not a big one I'm sure I will be nervous. </p> <p>I am still mulling over some options - I was thinking of brighter solids (which the ladies of Academchic do really well) but I am unsure whether jeans will be too hot - the event's at 3pm and presumably we'll be walking around the fair in the sun beforehand. </p> https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/topic/what-to-wear-literary-reading#post-362357 Tue, 07 Jun 2011 03:20:19 +0000 Heather 362357@https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/ <p>Congratulations, Laura!</p> <p>Wow, Suzq's suggestions are above and beyond! </p> <p>I wish you the best of luck! </p> https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/topic/what-to-wear-literary-reading#post-362355 Tue, 07 Jun 2011 02:59:59 +0000 tarzy 362355@https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/ <p>Congratulations! That's fantastic! </p> <p>I love Suzq's tips. I might add - try not to wear a lot of bracelets that make noise when you move your hands. Very annoying for the audience! </p> https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/topic/what-to-wear-literary-reading#post-362345 Tue, 07 Jun 2011 02:40:41 +0000 Suz 362345@https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/ <p>Congratulations! What terrific news! </p> <p>I'm a brand new member, and this is my very first post. I hope you won't mind. I am jumping in because I'm a writer and have attended similar events, so I figured my opinion might be worth something even though I'm a YLF (and style) newbie!</p> <p>Anyway, I love Angie's question, and also Di's suggestion. Academichic is great for ideas! And Debora's right; if you have a great pair of dark wash jeans, they would work perfectly, along with a top that you absolutely love. Obviously, if the weather is going to remain cool, you might need a jacket or sweater, as well, and ideally, the outfit would look equally good either way (with the jacket/sweater on or off). </p> <p>When I'm reading my work in public—and especially when the occasion is celebratory, like this one—I like to choose a bright top. Something that makes me stand out a little bit, something that makes me feel happy. In my case, that often means some shade of red, but it could be any other bright colour that suits you or feels good. </p> <p>On the other hand, you don't want to stand out TOO much, and in my opinion, solids generally work better than patterns for this purpose; you want people to be listening to your words, not feeling sea-sick from staring at your outfit. </p> <p>You'll also want comfortable shoes. Some height won't hurt, but wedges might be better than a regular heel. And some stand-out but not-too-dressy jewelry would also be in order. </p> <p>Here are a few more tips that don't fall into the "what to wear" category but might be useful anyway: </p> <p>1. Ask how long you are allowed to read. Pick a short selection from your work that takes your listener somewhere (i.e. a scene that ends differently than it started) and—this is crucial—practice reading it aloud, and time yourself. Do not go over your allotted time. Even if others go over, it is better for you to go under than over. </p> <p>2. Read more slowly than you think you need to. (This goes back to timing yourself, again.) </p> <p>3. If you can, pick an alternate selection of the same length but a different mood, just in case. If the person ahead of you reads serious, you can whip out the funny bit. If the person ahead of you reads funny, you can be serious. Sometimes it's just not possible to pick two very different selections, but if you can, it's great insurance and helps keep people in the audience happy. </p> <p>4. If you are allowed to read your whole piece, that is a lovely treat that won't always happen. So enjoy! </p> <p>5. Find out (if you can) what the lighting will be like. Sometimes, believe it or not, organizers don't think to provide enough light to read by, especially at evening events. My hairdresser came up with a brilliant solution: bring an itty bitty book light in your bag, just in case! </p> <p>6. Find out (if you can) what the sound situation will be. Microphones don't always work or aren't always set up, so you might have to project. Just do the best you can and try to be gracious if there are technical problems. It's obvious, but it helps if you remember in advance that glitches are all part of the territory. </p> <p>7. Enjoy! This is your moment to shine! </p> https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/topic/what-to-wear-literary-reading#post-362295 Tue, 07 Jun 2011 01:25:18 +0000 Debora 362295@https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/ <p>Congrats Laura!!!! Would a smart pair of dark wash jeans be too casual? </p> https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/topic/what-to-wear-literary-reading#post-362273 Tue, 07 Jun 2011 00:18:27 +0000 Angie 362273@https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/ <p>Congratulations! </p> <p>Laura, what do YOU feel your best in? </p> https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/topic/what-to-wear-literary-reading#post-362265 Tue, 07 Jun 2011 00:07:54 +0000 Di 362265@https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/ <p>My very favorite style blog (aside from this one, obviously) is <a href="http://www.academichic.com" rel="nofollow">http://www.academichic.com</a>. The women there will have some great examples of what will be appropriate. </p> https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/topic/what-to-wear-literary-reading#post-362263 Tue, 07 Jun 2011 00:05:16 +0000 Laura (rhubarbgirl) 362263@https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/ <p>I just found out I won first place in my category for the piece of writing I submitted to the literary contests at our local county fair. Yay! There's going to be a presentation and a chance for the winners to read their entries this weekend. </p> <p>YLF nation, what should I wear? I've never been to this event before. I'm guessing it's not very formal since it's at the fair, but I'd like to look put together. I'm not sure what the weather will like - it's been unseasonably cool and rainy here but I think the rain is supposed to taper off sometime this week and for things to get warmer (70s?).</p> <p>I will try to take some pictures of some options later and update this post, but any thoughts/directions are welcome. </p>