Quick take on Midwest writer fashion

As part umpteen of my Midwest tour 2015 (I should have sold tickets!) I am currently at a writers conference in Indiana. My go-to for this sort of thing is nice jeans with an interesting top and a jacket or cardigan in case of overactive ac. In my area, dresses or dress pants would be too fussy unless you were a presenter. I'm definitely in the minority here though. Very few jeans on either gender even on the young. It's like everyone decided that since it's a conference that denim was too casual - but there are plenty of knit tops and t-shirts. And on the women, knit dresses that I wouldn't wear to an office; they have more of a 'casual dinner out' or weekend feel to me.

The New York agents and editors, on the other hand, are in east coast casual - no suits but everything very preppy and fitted. Not so much black since its July, but lots of serviceable neutrals. The Midwesterners, in comparison, are much more colorful. No ironic normcore here; everything is actually practical but in fun colors.

tl;dr: I am in denim withdrawal, and I feel like I've got 'west coast interloper' written all over me.

10 years ago

Angie

(website)

Fashion Stylist

Interesting. Style preferences are a regional thing no matter how you slice and dice it.

Liz

Veteran

I wonder if part of the reason that you're not seeing jeans is because of heat. Many people stop wearing jeans altogether during the hot summer months.

Anonymous

Interesting. Last night we were at a causal strings concert at a college gallery. Nearly every woman of every age had on a dress or skirt. Most of the men had on shorts. Only one couple wore jeans and they looked out of place. His baseball cap and her baseball tee didn't help though.

Funny. Well you are my favorite interloper.

Staysfit

When I attend medical conferences it's not unusual for me to be one of the few physicians wearing denim. It definitely works for the region I work in, the type of work I do, and for my personal style. I just sit up straighter, and really own my look.

I bet everyone who sees you in your denim is secretly jealous that you are feeling relaxed and comfortable. It's great to be from California.

crutcher

I second the idea that you are being watched and envied for your stylish look and your denim chicness...Be proud of how great you look and I'll bet you a big cookie that there are whispers behind the hand..."She's from California...Can't you tell..." said in envy as California seems very chicness and style conscious to the midwest...(I know I live here...)

always trying

I am in southern California, and as it is getting hot here now, seeing a lot less jeans. I practically live in jeans until the heat arrives. nowdays with the spandex, and skinnies jeans are not comfortable at all. Last summer there were a lot of long dresses and skirts, especially in the evenings-but a fair amount of shorts everywhere on the younger. I just came home from the mountains and it is just getting up in the 80's and higher, so will be seeing what will be the prevailing hot weather attire for evenings this year.

JAileen

It's funny, I've heard some people say that people in the Midwest are real. I wonder what they think you are if you're from California or the middle of nowhere (where I live). I always thought I was real...

Re denim and heat, I lived in Texas for ten years and people there wear denim practically in defiance of the heat and humidity.

When I have to go for training, I do dress for outside temps to some degree, but mostly with A/C in mind.

UmmLila (Lisa)

I'm always interested to hear about regional differences in fashion. In New Hampshire it's so Patagonia and jeans and Merrell in the winter that it's refreshing to see alternatives in the summer.

Suz

Fascinating, Laura. Regional differences definitely rule!

I almost never wear jeans in summer except for cooler evenings. They typically feel too hot and sticky for me once the temps get into the high 20s (70s) and 30s (80s).

Also, I love the opportunities to wear skirts/ dresses, and fun SHOES, which are much harder for me to wear in our very long winter season.

But I've been to writers' conferences in the northeast U.S. in the summer where everyone wore denim, including the agents/ editors -- except the elderly ones. Admittedly, the conferences I'm referring to where in a rural area, not a city.

Jenn

Interesting. At our local Rocky Mountain writer's conference, dress is generally smart casual to business casual, but pretty much anything goes, and there are plenty of jeans and t-shirts in regular sessions. Agents and editors seem to be at the higher end of the spectrum, as is anyone pitching.

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