What not to wear. Could you hang? OR The beauty of Uniforms

Have you seen this show on TLC? (What Not To Wear.) Where someone gets turned in to the fashion police by well meaning friends and/or family? On the plus side, you get $5000.00 to go crazy with on new clothing. You also get to spend this money in New York City. If that is not enough, you get a haircut and lesson in make-up application. On the negative side, you must put up with your current wardrobe being criticized, you must look at all your outfits in a very unforgiving 360 degree mirror, and you must put up with the show's hosts. Nope...don't think I could do it. As much as I would love a free wardrobe overhaul,I believe my stubborn, smart-alec self would fail miserably in the first few hours of the ordeal. Could you do it? I honestly do not think I could. I know what I like, but I would also love to have my wardrobe updated. I would like to know what size I actually am. I would like to know what styles and cuts flatter me. But I DO NOT want a style that I would feel odd wearing.

Your outfit

Now, when you go to work as an EMT, there is limited consideration to your outfit when you dress for your shift.

• Is it clean?
• Are there holes?
• Does it fit?

Beyond that, I can not come up with much more. No need to accessorize. Your EMT implements such as watch, pen, stethoscope, pen light, and perhaps a pair of scissors are all that is necessary. Don't forget your name-tag and/or badge if those are standard issue for you. To top it all off, a nice pair of black safety toe boots. After all, you would not want an errant oxygen tank to smash your tootsies would you? Of course, personal preference to the actual style of shoe prevails here. Just keep in mind:

• Are they polished and/or clean?
• Do the soles need replacing?
• Do they fit?

Hair and Make-up.

As long as your hair is neat, clean, and out of the way. You are good to go. Can you imagine an EMT with an outrageous coif? Personally, I would not mind being attended to by Elvis, but I would be afraid of getting smothered by Marge Simpsons bouffant.

As for make-up. I am all for a little eyeliner and perhaps some lipgloss if necessary, but c'mon now. There IS a line that gets crossed with some EMT's/Paramedics that I have seen. I remember a certain Paramedic that thought her butt smelled like roses. For some reason, I would always run into her (OK, not literally. But I would have loved to run her over on accident with a gurney.) at Santa Clara Valley Medical Center. It did not matter what time of the day I saw her. She would always be fully painted and coiffed. I couldn't wait for the hot summer days when she would look like a melted candle as I waltzed into the ER feeling as 'fresh as a daisy'. *TIP* Keep Noxema acne pads nearby for a refreshing pick up on a hot day. When you don't worry about makeup on duty, you feel and work better. I guess she was too busy trolling for men.

That said, with your choices spelled out for you, life is made easier. So, could you handle someone tearing your 'style' apart? I'm not sure I could. Not even for a $5000 wardrobe. I'll take a uniform, thank you very much!

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