We all have one or more tees that have the logo of a favorite sports team, a slogan used to unify and promote cohesiveness, demonstrating an accomplishment such as completing a race, recollecting a vacation, a favorite business, and of course fundraiser tees, etc.

Tuesday, most every adult was wearing the exact same mission statement tee. A new school uniform for staff? I clearly missed the memo, and am not on the “spirit tee” list serv. I would have tuned out the undercurrent of “spirit tee” gossip except my co- workers asked why I was not wearing one? An answer circled in the back of my mind. Meanwhile, my closest co-worker, the program nurse, asked if I owned any “regular” tees? What?! (I knew she was joking, but the others at the table believed it was a serious inquiry). I recalled my work clothing over the past 12 years. I remember wearing a Le Tournee du Chat tee the previous week. Tees and sweats are the most typical attire in my workplace. I laughed to myself. I have never dressed in a spirit tee,for work! I have amassed huge collections of spirit tees, culled them and amassed them again, but rarely if ever wore them.

My co-workers decided to surprise me. Dr. Staysfit, we ordered a spirit tee for you to wear every Friday when we wear ours. We look forward to seeing how you accessorize your tee!

LOL! Everyone laughed, including me because it’s funny to imagine fashionably accessorizing a regular spirit tee every Friday. However, I know what I will do with my tee and it isn’t what my coworkers anticipate. I briefly recallled a six year old who boldly declared that I could not be a doctor because I wasn’t wearing a suit! Frequent forum readers know that I have worked diligently to define and create my unique personal style. Along the way I have repeatedly questioned the casual nature of my wardrobe. I am a physician working in a non traditional setting. I wear jeans most days. My clothing would look unprofessional in an outpatient clinic or hospital. In my workplace, it strangely looks formal and dressy compared to staff, but it may not be formal enough to please some six year olds. They clearly know that doctors need to look professional and distinguished. In their magical world a formal suit is the required costume. I have only put on a suit for interviews, presentations and if I have to go to court. I work hard to achieve a balanced style, making it polished and in keeping with my professional status, but still casual enough to fit into my workplace. The sprit tee conversation confirmed how well I have done in distinguishing my role using my style... People recognize my style as excluding regular tees. I laughed about my success in achieving a unique style with the desired balance. I prefer to maintain my personal style rather than adopt the team uniform. Doesn’t the professional sports team captain wear something distinctive from the athletes? Often more distinguished? I laughed with the thought that I will never wear the new spirit tee. Instead, I am going to make the tee into an accessory, most likely a work tote.

Some of you may argue that I should wear the tee. It will demonstrate my comradeship, and cooperation. My current thinking is that my professional role as a physician outweighs all other roles and factors. I am a public representative of my specialty, and my employers. I am taking my cue from a six year old and will continue to maintain a style that is dressy for the environment, polished and also much more casual than most physicians in an outpatient practice.

Of course I participate in staff spirit activities. I will be among the first to wear a funny hat, or silly sweater, etc. When is it right to compromise and when to hold true?

I am curious how you would handle the spirit tee and any other thoughts on this subject?