What to Wear

Did anyone else find the Tarot Reading Couture post on February 16, 2007 interesting? My mind went in three different directions at once while reading it.

1. What do I wear for readings? My normal clothes, which as a lover of fashion, clothes, shoes, and jewelry, tend to be as fashionable as I can afford. They are nice and attractive, but basically business clothes.

2. What do I wish I wore? Well, if I were younger, thinner, taller, and richer, I'd be acquiring a wardrobe of mostly Gypsy Moon clothes. And, I was excited to see that they have a new line of Faeryware inspired by Amy Brown. Heck, I'd love to dress like that all day, everyday, not just for readings. 

3. Is there an upside to dressing "the part"? Which also includes the question "what does 'the part' look like?" That question should probably be a seperate discussion. But pretending you have an idea about what most people's stereotype of a fortuneteller looks like, is there any benefit to dressing as such? When I was in college (that's when I started reading tarot), a friend was over for a study session. Another friend stopped by for a reading. I did the reading, as I always have and still do...with no hocus pocus or mysticism, just very plain reading. When the querent left, my study partner, who did not believe in anything mystic, said that I should add some hocus pocus or mystical elements to my reading style. Surprised, I asked why. His explanation seemed sensible: People come for reading wanting something bigger than the everyday. They are seeking a connection with the divine. If you add something mystical, you make it easier for them to accept you and the reading as a liminal experience, as a doorway that does connect to the divine.

While I always thought his idea made sense, I still, after all these years, have not included anything particularly mystical in my reading style.

Comments

[Janet]

Hi Barbara!

Personally? I like to "be who I am" no matter where I'm at. :o) Since I read via email, I have the luxury of being in my pajamas when reading! (But I'm usually wearing a T shirt and shorts--even in the winter.)

Speaking of Tarot Reading Couture, have you ever seen Amy Zerner's line of "spiritual couture"?

http://theenchantedworld.com/artfashion/artfashion.php?Subpage_ID=0

Janet

[Eva Yaa Asantewaa]

Well, my clients--most of whom come for face-to-face readings--are used to WYSIWYG from me, although I certainly do not greet them in anything rumpled, dirty or torn, and I do like me some eye makeup and lipgloss.

They tend to show up in casual clothes, too, even when coming from work, since most are creative types: educators, healers and the like, and we like to be comfortable with one another.

My cats wear their usual fur coats, even in the depths of summer.

Eva :-)

[TarotMoon]

I usually find just the opposite - those who seek me out for readings do it on the web, so it doesn't matter what I wear. But in my real life, I am usually introducing tarot to scientists or others in my profession who aren't normally that receptive to spiritual techniques.

It works much better for me to introduce them gradually to the ideas behind tarot and have my first use of the cards be in general conversation, as an ice-breaker game, or small reading - as unobtrusive and normal-feeling as possible, in whatever clothes are appropriate to the occasion (social, work, etc.).

[Barbara Moore]

Maybe I'll just have to buy that outfit in the picture and where it while posting here. And doing the dishes. And going to the grocery store. And maybe buy some of Amy Zerner's Spiritual Couture while I'm at it.

[Francine Blackwell]

I'm still a hippie at heart and can't help but drape myself in velvets, ethnic prints and free-form crochet. It has nothing to do with the reading. Actually, I suppose it does as I would feel uncomfortable wearing a suit and would no doubt offer a sub-standard reading as a result.

[Barbara Moore]

What readers wear is, apparently, as unique as what decks we like, what our reading styles are like, and what our clients are like.

Although, it seems there is some agreement that what we wear reflects who we are.