Business Whimsical: a guide for Playfessionals

A few weeks ago I wrote a blog advocating for a teaching philosophy that pairs educational gravity and levity to inspire "epifunny.”

Here’s the dilemma.  I work for adults twice as old as me.  I work with young people half as old as me.  I am a generational bridge that must be respected by my elders and relevant to my youngers.  How is this accomplished?

I know this is not a dilemma unique to me, my profession, or my age bracket. What self-reflective person hasn’t wondered how to remain authentic to themselves while still fulfilling the business cultural construct of “professionalism.” 

I would like to posit a possible solution. Meet "Business Whimsical: The wardrobe of playfessionalism."

This week at Arundel may be a spirt week for students, but last week was an unofficial spirit week for teachers. The first annual week of business whimsy began with the following email:

 "...Have you always wondered...can I wear this sparkle shirt to work?  Are cowboy boots school appropriate?  Yes and YES! Don't let those sad garments and accesories languish in your closet from some misguided sense of puritan professionalism.  Set them free! And if that's not reason enough,let's do a little experiment.   Are you down-trodden? Blue? A spoonful of whimsy may be all you need.  We're here for you...so rock some corduroy and take back your mirth!"

Below are the foundations of the business whimsical.  Join us for...

• Blazer (or "Swazer") and Sweater Vest Monday - Blazers are "transitional garments" that can elevate any ensemble.  A "Swazer" is a sweater that functions, alludes to, or otherwise imitates a blazer.  The point is, Mr. Rogers, we are the people in your neighborhood and we want you to be comfortable.
• Textile Tuesday - This includes but is not limited to neon, plaid, polka-dots, corduroy, argyle, stripes, and zig zags.  Mix your fabrics.  Make it work. 
• Belted and Suspender Wednesday- Keep your chin up...and your pants up.  Whether you're rocking a skinny belt, western belt buckle, or red suspenders, who says keeping your pants from falling down has to be all business and no whimsy? 
• Scaf, Bow tie, or ASCOT Thursday: I'm The rules are simple.  If you wear an ascot, you win automatically. 
• Flip-flop and Fabulous Footwear Friday.  Who knows what the weather will bring next friday, but come rain, come shine, come snow, break out you flip flops and you spring pedicure.  Paint those toes ladies and gents.  Rock your flip flops, boots, or bowling shoes.

The beauty of business whimsical is it offers a spectrum of articles and accessories in various shades of irony and insubordination from the more reputable vintage blazer to the shockingly subversive hot pink ascot.  You heard me.  Ascot.  What can I say? YOLO, so bolo.

Here’s the bottom line.  After a week of daily themes, daily photoshoots, and daily shout-outs/heckling via email, everyone who participated felt increasingly playful and positive…in fact, people were asking for more. “When can we do this again?” 

Professionalism doesn’t have to be puritanical in philosophy or fashion.  In fact, all the most innovative companies and organizations (from Google to Whole Foods) recognize how a culture of play fosters both creativity and productivity.  How much MORE natural is this in the field of education where we serve a population at the prime of its playfulness?

I declare 2013 the year of the blazer. Together we can make everywhere a wonderful world of whimsy!