1. Choose the Scrub That Suits Your Body Type
Dress for your shape. If you're top heavy and narrow at the hips, a deep V-neck or open collar top in a dark solid color slims the upper body. If you're bottom heavy, wear longer tops that skim past the hips and skip wide pants. If you're slim, ruffled or gathered tops add volume, and layering a top, camisole, and jacket builds a fuller look.
2. Choose the Right Size Scrubs
The most overlooked detail. Most nurses don't know their measurements and end up in scrubs that are too loose or too tight. Buy your actual size. Well fitting scrubs feel better and you carry yourself taller in them. If nothing fits off the rack, a good tailor solves it.
3. Wear Complimentary Colors
Match the scrub to your skin tone. Hold the fabric up to your face. If it warms your complexion, it works. If it leaves you looking pale or tired, skip it. Aim for colors that brighten your face, and ask an honest friend if you can't call it yourself.
4. Match Your Tops and Pants
Buy several sets in prints and bold colors, then mix the separates for a new look daily. Pair a print with a solid so nothing competes. If you mix prints, keep them in the same family and pair large prints with small ones. For a simpler route, lighter tops with darker pants always read clean.
5. Add a Personal Touch
Make a store bought scrub yours. Get your name or initials embroidered on the top or sleeve in a contrasting color, or add a favorite pin to a solid top. Just check your unit's dress code first.
6. Keep Accessories Minimal
Less is more. A delicate pair of earrings, a slim necklace, a simple hair clip, all subtle and matched to your scrub's colors. A skinny belt adds shape. Pick one watch that fits the look. Don't let the accessories outshine the scrub.
7. Wear Them with the Right Attitude
No scrub beats confidence. A positive mindset helps you ride out a hard shift, and believing in your own skill shows in how you carry the whole look.
One thing that ties looking sharp to staying safe: keep your scrubs clean. The CDC notes that scrubs and uniforms are healthcare textiles, and that hot-water laundering at 71°C (160°F) for 25 minutes, or a low-temperature wash with a bleach product, gives a reliable microbial reduction. Follow your facility's policy first, since some require onsite laundering, and check the SHEA attire guidance your unit's dress code is likely built on.
Frequently Asked Questions
How should nurses wash their scrubs at home? The CDC's environmental infection control guidance points to hot-water laundering at about 71°C (160°F) for 25 minutes, or a low-temperature cycle with a bleach product. Always follow your facility's policy first, since some require onsite or professional laundering.
Are there official rules about what nurses wear? Many units build their dress code on the SHEA expert guidance for healthcare personnel attire in non-operating-room settings, which covers items like white coats, footwear, and laundering. Check your employer's policy before personalizing anything.
What size scrubs should I buy? Buy your actual measured size. Scrubs that are too loose or too tight are the most common fit mistake; well fitting scrubs are more comfortable and you carry yourself better in them. A tailor can fix anything that does not fit off the rack.
How do I pick scrub colors that flatter me? Hold the fabric up to your face. If it brightens your complexion, it works; if it leaves you looking pale or tired, skip it. Many units also assign colors by role, so confirm your options first.
Can I add my name or a pin to my scrubs? Usually yes, within the dress code. Embroidered initials or a single subtle pin personalize a top without violating policy. Keep accessories minimal and confirm what your unit allows.