Nurse scrubs are the uniforms that nurses must wear while on the job, and because your job is your life, these scrubs can also quickly become the only wardrobe that nurses know. The same thing everyday can get a bit boring, and media has popularized these scrubs to be a continuous shade of blue, plastered on a uniform that often seems ill-fitting, but there is definitely a way to wear scrubs that is not so mundane! Whether it be through accessorization or working with what you’ve got, check out the list below to see how you can better customize your nurse scrubs to appear more unique and stylish without having to sacrifice comfort!
Find scrubs that compliment your figure, shape, and fit.
Scrubs are essentially clothes, and just like clothes, you definitely want to choose scrubs with a fit that aligns with what you are looking for. If you want to feel that your body is enhanced by wearing scrubs, you can find things that are better fitted around certain parts of your body, such as tops that don’t sit loosely on your waist or bottoms that aren’t too wide. If you cannot find something that fits right away, getting scrubs tailored is also always an option that often gets overlooked! Whether you prefer scrubs that fit larger because they seem to be more comfortable or scrubs that fit with more form, there is definitely a way to go about customization here.
Accessorize!
There are a lot of ways to add detail and customization to your scrubs without compromising professionalism or functionality! Without actually touching your scrubs, you can wear watches, jewelry that doesn’t dangle too much, colorful and well-made name tags, and even unique stethoscopes that aren’t your standard silver and black ones. For example, Scrubs&Beyond offers stethoscopes, cuffs and scissors with different color patterns: https://www.allheart.com/3m-littmann-classic-iii-trade-and-prestige-medical-basics-sphygmomanometer-kit/p/littkit34/. Moreover, you can also get a few things embroidered onto your scrubs, whether that be your name, a favorite object, movie quote, or anything in between. You have complete freedom to do what you’d like!
Monogram it!
A number of scrub companies offer monogramming, we even found on etsy there are a number of super cute options.
Try out fabric blends and find what’s best for you.
Different scrubs have different fabrics that accomplish different tasks. There are scrubs that exist with anti-microbial technology or moisture wicking ability, and these are bound to increase comfort while not decreasing fashionability. If you need to stay warm while on the job, there are also scrubs made of material that is thicker and more functional for doing just that; for example, FIGS offers a scrub jacket made of 72% polyester with a bomber-inspired silhouette that can be viewed here: https://www.wearfigs.com/products/womens-bellery-scrub-jacket-black.
Experiment with colors, patterns, and styles.
Though the standard blue hospital scrubs are the only things we see in films and television shows, that doesn’t mean that you have to also conform to this standard. A plethora of colors exist, from bright blue to light pink to lilac to mint green, and there is an endless assortment here; you could even wear a different color every day of the week that you work. Here is an example of a men’s scrub top that comes in a variety of professional and enticing colors: https://www.wearfigs.com/products/mens-quito-scrub-top-caribbean-blue. Or for you ladies: Grey's Anatomy Collection Blossom Top. If a different color is not enough, you can even try wearing a different pattern. Additionally, there are different shapes and styles that deviate from the regular short-sleeved shirt with a v-shaped neck; Uniform Advantage has scrub tops that are more intricate in the shape of their design, like this design here: https://www.uniformadvantage.com/pages/prod/bss-large-grommet-scrub-top.asp?1=1&navbar=&frmcolor=TURQU, which features a center front strap! Additionally, there are different cuts for scrub bottoms, too, in place of the regular wide-leg pants; FIGS offers joggers that are slim fit and come in a variety colors:https://www.wearfigs.com/products/womens-zamora-jogger-scrub-pants-hydrogreen
Keep your scrubs in good shape.
Lastly, be sure to keep your scrubs clean by protecting them from messes and washing them efficiently, being careful to not destroy them. For example, you can wear a scrub jacket to protect your scrubs from stains. Additionally, you can also purchase disposable scrubs in case you may get called into the operating room. Moreover, putting more money into a pair of scrubs in the beginning can get you a pair of scrubs that withstands well throughout many different washes and wears; even though this may be difficult, it’s good for fashionability and efficiency in the long-run!
Though caring about how your scrubs look and fit might appear superficial, it’s so much more than that. As stated earlier, you are wearing these scrubs everyday; making sure that you like how you look and how the uniforms feel is incredibly important for your mood and your work ethic. Feeling that your day or job is not a drag can start with something as simple as making sure you feel good in what you are wearing, and customizing and paying attention to the look of nurse scrubs is one way that nurses can go about bettering this aspect of their lives.