The zeitgeist at the conferences is slightly Bohemian--these are writers after all--and slightly Burning Man. People dress; there is the occasional costume. My packing list will not reach the edges of the continuum.
Since it's Seattle, footwear and outerwear will be critical choices. I'll carry the Allen Edmonds Jefferson full brogues and the AE Amok chukkas. I'll likely wear the AE Ashbury Chelsea boots on the plane. I'll wear the Barbour Beaufort with a Burberry scarf as I'm heading out of DC -- still winter here folks. (I'll have the Barbour pile liner in the bag in case it's really cold when I get back.)
Here's the pile before packing: Two sport jackets, some jeans and cords, shirts, sweaters, shoes, ties, a liner for the Barbour, and a ball cap... just in case it rains. Add toiletries, a flask of Laphroiag, socks and underwear, and the bag is full.
Likely day one uniform is a pair of tan cords, RL Polo chambray shirt, Drakes wool Donegal tie, a black vest and a J. Press Harris Tweed sport coat and the Jefferson brogues. I'll be reading that evening from my new book at Kell's Irish Pub in Post Alley, near Pike Place Market.
Day two is a bit more laid back, so I'll probably wear this Brooks Bros yellow Oxford stripe OBCD under a wool crewneck and jeans with the Amok boots.
Day three features a panel discussion along side two university writing program directors. Olive jeans, a pink OCBD with a Sid Mashburn blue grenadine tie and the grey Harris Tweed with the Jeffersons--add a blue crewneck for the walk over to the site in the chilly morning.
AWP is always a crap-shoot. Success muchly depends on how many people walk past your booth, so choosing a location is a critical skill. Last year in Boston, we sold enough books to pay for the table fee. Fingers crossed this year.
