If you work in the fast-paced world of healthcare, you probably already know about the importance of scrubs as a uniform. When you are constantly on the go, day and night, it’s essential to be comfortable and agile. Your actions should be quick and precise, and you have to be able to adapt to chaotic situations on a daily basis.

Women’s scrubs are more than just a uniform. High-quality ones can make all the difference in comfort, confidence, and style. So, before purchasing a new pair of ladies’ scrubs, here is some advice on how to distinguish between good and bad options, as well as how to select the right pair for your body type and profession.

Reasons Medical Scrubs Are Important in Healthcare

Uniforms that healthcare workers wear vary so drastically from other white-collar professional uniforms. In the healthcare industry, uniforms are held to a high regard, and for a good reason. When you are surrounded by contaminants and infectious agents, you must protect yourself and ensure that you don’t bring any of them home with you.

These are a handful of reasons why medical scrubs have become a staple uniform across numerous healthcare disciplines:​

• Cost-Effective: Medical scrubs are designed for maximum use, while remaining cost-efficient. Because hospitals are centers for disease, you should replace scrubs much faster than most uniforms. Scrubs are made from breathable, durable fabrics that are both affordable and able to withstand high-temperature washing.

• Comfortable and Functional: Scrubs have earned the reputation of being the “pyjama uniform”. Because healthcare workers work long hours on their feet, scrubs are designed to provide comfort and a full range of motion, especially when you have to act quickly and with great precision.

• Protection: Above all qualities that scrubs possess, the most important by far is their ability to protect you from contaminants. Medical scrubs are processed in a specialised facility and cleaned with great precision to prevent the spread of diseases outside the hospital doors.

Women’s vs. Men’s Scrubs: What’s the Difference?

Although scrubs are a universal uniform in healthcare, often the style of men’s and women’s scrubs differs from one another. For that, it’s important to thoroughly check before you buy.

Men’s scrubs usually have a wider fit around the chest and the shoulders, and hang loosely along the torso, while the pants are straight and loose to provide freedom of motion. In contrast, ladies’ scrubs are more tailored to accommodate the many different body types.

The necklines on the scrubs also vary between genders. Women’s tops often have V-necklines to add a feminine touch to the uniform, while men’s tops have a simple, round neckline without any flare. The waistlines of the bottoms are also different between men’s and women’s scrubs. Men’s bottoms have a lower waistline and a looser hip area. On the other hand, women’s scrub pants have higher waistlines, more compatible with female body proportions.

To make them more useful, scrubs are also designed with numerous functional pockets to keep important things safe during shifts. In some designs, the position of the pockets differs between genders. For example, the pockets on scrubs for women are located near the stomach, while on those for men, they are located near the chest.

Choosing the Right Fit and Style of Scrubs

1. Fabric Options

Most designs are made from multiple fabric blends, not just one material. Common fibres you will see on labels are cotton, polyester, rayon, and spandex. 

Cotton isn’t usually recommended as a scrub material, as scrubs need to be washed at higher temperatures to properly clean them, and cotton may shrink or lose colour unless washed in cold water. On the other hand, synthetic blends are both flexible and durable and can withstand being washed at higher temperatures.

2. Patterns and Colours

Scrubs come in dozens of colours and patterns. However, most healthcare centres are dress code-enforced, and in the industry, different disciplines are represented with different colours. Ensure you are appropriately dressed to adhere to the dress code. If you have the freedom to choose, go ahead. From fun multicoloured patterns to monochrome fits, you will find any style and colour of scrubs.

3. Measurements Are Important

The first step you must complete before shopping is to take your body measurements. The areas you must measure for a correct fit are: Your shoulders, underbust, waist, hips, and inseam. After you take your measurements, compare them to see which style and fit they complement the best. If there is a certain brand you are looking into, see if they have a size chart you could check.

How to Care for Your Scrubs 

One pair should serve you for about a year. To get the maximum benefits from your scrubs, you should wash and dry them correctly.

Before you put them in the wash, check the pockets for any stray objects you may have forgotten to take out after your shift and turn the scrubs inside out to protect their design and colour. Pre-treat stains, if there are any, with a stain remover of your choice. 

Wash at 60 °C. This temperature is effective in killing bacteria, while still being safe for scrub fabrics. Wash with a mild detergent, ensuring you don’t use anything that has bleach or colour brighteners.

After your load is done, air-dry them if possible. If not, place them in the dryer at a low setting to avoid shrinkage.