So What Does a Freelancer Look Like?

Monday morning, after a very pleasant(!) appointment with my new accountant, I wandered into the always delightful Lillian H Smith library, to explore what was showing in the Osborne Collection, as well as sign out craploads of picture books (research for my ongoing pursuit of writing picture book stories). I then travelled back to Book City in the Bloor West Village, so that I could use my annual birthday book coupon to buy myself a belated birthday book treat (I ended up purchasing a copy of Quill & Quire as well as The Pencil: A History of Design and Circumstance by Henry Petroski). Then a cup of coffee and a blueberry scone at the local coffee shop, and it was time to take a bus back home and do some work.

As I was getting ready to get off the bus, the driver smiled at me and said, "Going home, huh?" I said yes, but that I would be going home to work (I guess I don't really want people to think that I'm a lady of leisure just because I'm not stuck in some stuffy office downtown). The bus driver then replied, "Yeah – you look like one of those people who work at home." I smiled and got off the bus, but as I waited to cross the street the thought suddenly occurred to me – just what the hell did that guy mean when he said that?

I immediately began to take stock of my appearance. It was a warm day, so my winter coat was open. The driver would have been able to clearly see that I was wearing a rather funky green East-Indian shirt, with comfortable jeans. I hadn't bothered to blow-dry my hair the night before; instead I opted for natural drying, which tends to create a Pre-Raphealite, kinky look to my mop. Never mind that because I've been so busy lately, I'm in serious need of a hair-cut, so the kinky hair was long and a tad messy. I was sporting my funky black glasses, because I had been reading on the bus. On one shoulder I was carrying my purse and a Toronto Public Library canvas bag, full to the brim with picture books. In the other hand I carried my Book City bag with my belated-birthday loot. I suppose I looked relaxed and happy. It had a been a very enjoyable morning.

But just what does a freelancer look like? Is it because I looked artsy and casual that he made that judgement? Do all freelancers look like me? I don't think so. I know for a fact that there are freelancers who make a concerted effort to dress very professionally every day, even though they work at home, just to put their head space in serious working mode (yeah, Steve, I'm talking about you!) Not all freelancers are casual artsy-fartsies like myself.

I wasn't offended by the bus driver's comments – just intrigued. So I'll pose the question again, hoping for an answer: Just what does a freelancer looks like?

Comments

[alene]

Well, I'll try and at least add to your answer. I'm not yet a 'proper' freelancer - just a *very* casual one while studying - but it means I do work at home. And I'm generally described as 'smart' or, occasionally, 'elegant'. I do hate being messy. I like retro clothes, so I wear a lot of big 50s skirts, or 40s or 60s based clothes, but I also wear a lot of jeans & tshirts. And lots of high heeled shoes. My hair is never particularly tidy, because it doesn't seem to want to stay where I put it (it must be creative hair...) and I can't be bothered spending hours on it every day, and I wear a bit of makeup (mainly so that I don't look 'pale and interesting', and have people asking if I feel quite alright =P ). I always walk purposefully, never having really mastered the art of strolling, and almost never venture out without a bag with a book (novel and/or sketchbook) over my shoulder.
So that's me, the freelancing student. Not much like you. I think people expect you to be covered with paint and wearing sloppy clothes, but on the other hand, I've never been told that I don't look like an artist. Maybe that's because I tend not to dress in 'fashion', which people really don't seem to expect from 'arty' people. And I know designers who dress in all black, and others who choose the most extravagant clothes, or the most fashionable.
Perhaps, instead, it's all a matter of posture, or something....

[Ellen]

My question is why is that bus driver asking you where you're going? Hmmm. Technically I'm not a freelancer,(although was once) and I'm ashamed to admit I'm still stuck mostly in the whole black sweater, skirt, black tights kind of thing, because it's EASY and requires no fashion sense. Some tatooed biker guy once said to me - everybody really just dresses like they did when they were 18. People just stay with what they liked back then and update it a little. So far, his theory seems kinda accurate, although thanks god that doesn't apply to hairstyles.

and a happy belated birthday Patricia!glad you treated yourself

[Andertoons]

I can only speak for myself, but:

Glasses
Old jeans
Sweatshirt
T-shirt that doesn't compliment the sweatshirt
Barefoot
Tired

[Steven W. Beattie]

"everybody really just dresses like they did when they were 18"

I went to a private boys' school, where I wore a jacket, tie, dress pants, and Oxfords. So, yeah, I guess that fits.

BTW, Patricia, I'm thinking of changing it up a bit, trading in the tie for a silk smoking jacket and a pipe. Whaddaya think?

[Patricia]

Steven, I have absolutely no problem visualizing you decked out with the smoking jacket and pipe. I think you were born for that look. And don't forget the ascot, my good man!

[Beth]

I'd have been thrilled to know there are people out there who think freelancers (those who work from home) HAVE a look!
(I love that sketch.)

[sandra]

How I look at home (shudder) vs how I look when I'm out of the home are two very different things. I'm not going to describe the at-home me. You don't wanna know.

In a similar vein of the topic though, I would like to toss this out...when people find out that my husband is a Funeral Director, the first thing they say (or I've heard said many, many, many times) is:

"REALLY? . . . but you don't LOOK like a funeral director. . ."

[sandra]

...and btw...I would take the bus driver's comment to mean you look UNSTRESSED...at least you visually sound unstressed.

[Isabella]

When I freelanced, I stayed in pyjamas most of the day. If I had to go to the grocery or post office, I'd often just throw a coat on top. If I had to venture further away on more serious errands, I looked like a slob.

I think there is a look, but I can't quite put my finger on it. You look financially stable, well-dressed enough and fed to not be an unemployed lazy bum, but not so polished to imply you're a person of means. Somehow, you look like a working person, intelligent, focussed or with purpose, but relaxed enough that you work on your own terms/schedule.

I often speculated about the people I'd see about during the day, and wondered what they made of me. But there are clues.

[Patricia]

I just found this great quote from Twitter:

"If you look good and dress well, you don't need a purpose in life." - Robert Pante

[heather (errantdreams)]

Hmm. I guess a certain relaxed style might imply at least that you don't work in any place that has a dress code, and being on the bus in the middle of the day without looking sick implies you're free to come and go when you choose. Other than that, though, different freelancers have different styles. I'm totally a shorts-and-T-shirts gal when I work from home; no one would mistake me for a cubicle worker.

[heather (errantdreams)]

Oh, and happy belated birthday and anniversary!!