Streets To Hospital: What To Wear?

My days involve needing to be able to move pretty quickly, walk and minister in one of the rougher SF neighborhoods, and then be in the ER / hospital bedsides for urgent and end of life care. On-call days can last up to 36 hours and could land me in any of these settings. The in-hospital dress sense seems to be business casual to professional (depending on the role), and my fellow chaplains follow that line. However, my supervisor suggested I “blend” while I work with the homelessness groups, which are very, very casual. There’s not a locker room available to us, which adds an element of challenge.

So how does one dress for times such as these? And, in particular, shoe related advice would be massively appreciated as I’ve got massive blisters in spite of heal cushions and band-aids. Thanks for your time and advice!

Dear L!
What an exciting ministry, but a sartorial challenge, indeed.
My first thought is that you MUST be able to wear comfortable shoes and not concern yourself with the fashionablity or frumpiness factor thereof. I am thinking all black sneaker-type shoes like this Saucony style below.

You can’t minister with blisters. If you’re walking as much as you are, this kind of shoe may be your only option.

Of course, you can always test-drive the comfort brands of clogs such as Ariat, Dansko, Jambu, Alegria. You’re slim and in good shape without any knee or ankle problems, so a clog may work for you. They do not work for me and many others, but you might find some luck here.

Ariat:

Dansko:

Born:

So the task then becomes how to build a professional-enough uniform around the sneakers. When we do sneakers or comfy footwear, the rest of us MUST be polished and classic, and the lines simple and tailored. Slim trousers with a bit of stretch in them worn hemmed so they hit the top of the laces on the shoes, no shorter. I think black, brown or plum. Navy seems too Salvation Army to me.

It wouldn’t be a bad idea to stock up on fantastic black trousers with a hint of stretch in them and make all-black your bottom half uniform.

Now – could you collect a small supply of nice cotton T’s with a bit of stretch to them to wear with the trousers and top the Ts with a denim jacket or hoodie while working with the street community, then swap out that jacket for a blazer at the hospital? Can you have a locker there where you can stash a blazer and scarf? A pair of nice earrings and a lipstick? You said no, but I am hoping that a conversation with a supervisor might yield some kind of help as you’re on public transportation and can’t be expected to keep a change of togs in your car.

When you’re sitting at bedside doing hospital chaplaincy, it is very important that your top half be professional, so you might find some miracle fabric jackets that you can fold in a knapsack for your hospital switcheroo. I get a catalog called TravelSmith that has a ton of packable options, and I see that there are some swell pieces on sale right now for $69.

Ottoman knit jacket, interesting cut.

Ponte blazer, not going to make you feel super glam or anything, but it will do the job:

It’s a pain to have to carry around multiple changes of clothes but I agree with your Faithful Fools mentor who advises wearing clothing that won’t immediately identify you as “not of” the people with whom you are ministering in the Tenderloin.

Make sure you take a damp paper towel to your shoes before you start your chaplaincy rounds. Powder your nose, brush your hair, swipe on a bit of brown mascara (you’re too fair for black mascara), and don your wristwatch, which you will probably need.

What an exciting time for you.
With much love and a faithfully foolish kiss of peace,
PB