Uniforms- what do artists wear?

I started thinking of uniforms when I was at See's Candies yesterday.  The very friendly sales person wore her crisp white and black uniform with pride. I loved that her arms were covered with  tattoos  - an interesting juxtaposition.

Who can forget the Hot Dog on a Stick women?  These cheerful and often short uniforms highlighted the youthfulness of the staff - made more jolly when groups of them were jumping up and down making their lemonade.  

And then there were the Clinique women - wearing of all things, lab coats!  So scientific looking, you are forced to believe their claims.

What do artists wear?  

I thought immediately of William Kentridge who is often seen wearing a white collared shirt, reading glasses hanging from his neck and dark trousers.  

 Gilbert and George are associated with suit wearing.

Joan Mitchell favored dark turtlenecks.

I have two uniforms I wear depending on the temperature in the studio.  When it is warm, I wear the apron my mother brought back from Japan that covers my front and back.

in my Japanese apron

And, when it's cold (like today), I wear a corduroy smock I found at at thrift shop.  It is quite ugly but functional and I guess that's why I don't have an image of it.

I wonder what Alexander Wang would create for an artist.  I love his quote regarding his 2013 collection, “It’s elevating the everyday and downplaying the special”.  It would have to be something that could get dirty and might even look better after the accumulation of chalk, charcoal and paint.  Some sort of coat like garment that would cover the front and back and be long, perhaps to the knee.  Pockets are necessary.  Having sleeves would be important to protect whatever we are wearing - I've ruined more tops from sleeves dipping into paint or gesso.  And shoes, they have to have great support for the hours of standing on cement.

How about this auto duster?  It's kind of like a lab coat but roomier.

The "studio duster" in linen perhaps with contrasting piping.  I think I will look for a pattern to make this.  Also, I love my Japanese apron - I've been wanting to make a pattern from the original. 

Back in the day, my mom used to wear a "housecoat".

but it's a bit frumpy looking!  So, how about this...

which is a men's period (17 century) house coat.  OK, a bit over the top and not practical but certainly not frumpy!