Everyone wants to look good when they’re at work, and medical professionals are no different. However, as many doctors, nurses and healthcare workers spend 12 hours a day in their scrubs, these hardworking outfits need to be comfortable and practical, as well as stylish.

Take a look at our guide to flattering scrubs to find the perfect pair for you.

Importance of Flattering Scrubs

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Flattering medical scrubs are important for a number of reasons. The most crucial of which is that they give the wearer confidence. This can help to put healthcare professionals in a more positive mindset. After all, if you know you look good on the outside, you’re more likely to feel good on the inside. If healthcare workers think their appearance is important, they’re more likely to feel valued by their employers, something that can directly contribute to employee satisfaction.

Flattering medical scrubs are also important because they make the workforce look smarter and more professional. If everyone in a hospital or clinic had flattering medical uniforms, it would add to the overall look of the organisation and make the health centre appear modern, clean and efficient.

The most important benefits of flattering men’s and women's scrubs are:

Smart, professional look
Increased self-confidence
Increased staff morale
Improved organisational image

How to Choose Flattering Scrubs?

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To ensure your scrubs are as flattering as possible, make sure you select the right size. If you buy a scrub set that’s too big, your scrub top and pants will look loose and baggy. However, if you go too small, you may well find your scrubs pinch, rub and pull at your skin, making you look and feel uncomfortable.

Before you start shopping for new scrubs, measure your body carefully so you can identify your correct size. If you’re buying scrub pants, you’ll need to measure your hips and your inseam. Whereas if you’re buying a scrub top, you’ll need to measure your waist and bust or chest.

Here’s how to take correct measurements:

Hips – Stand with your feet together and measure around the widest part of your hips
Inseam - Measure the distance from your crotch seam to an inch below your ankle
Bust or Chest - Measure beneath your arms around the widest part of your chest
Waist – Find the bottom of your ribs and the top of your hips. This is where your natural waistline will sit. Measure the midway point between them to get your correct size

Once you’ve got your measurements, you can check the online size guide to find the perfect fit for your body shape.

As well as size, it’s important to think about style. Nursing scrubs come in a great choice of looks, ranging from loose unisex scrubs to slim-fitting jogger style scrubs. The most flattering style for you will depend on your body type.

Flattering Scrubs for Different Body Types

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The best scrubs for one healthcare professional won’t necessarily be the best scrubs for another. This is because different styles suit different body types. Working out which are the most flattering scrubs for your shape will help you select the perfect look every time.

People come in a huge variety of shapes and sizes, but most can be broadly split into five main body types. These are:

Apple
Hourglass
Athletic
Pear
Inverted Triangle

Apple

If you have an apple body type, you’ll have a rounded silhouette and your waist will probably be roughly the same size as your hips. You can add definition to your look by opting for a v-neck scrub top and slim fitting jogger scrub pants. The v-neck will add a stylish touch to your look, while the slim leg scrub pants will help to elongate your legs and draw attention away from your middle.

Avoid choosing nursing scrubs that are tight, even if they’re stretchy, as this won’t flatter your body shape. Instead, choose comfortable scrubs that are loose, but not baggy.

Hourglass

People with a classic hourglass figure will find that most scrub styles suit them well. Having noticeable curves and a slim waist often makes it easy to find workwear that looks good and fits well.

A mock wrap women's scrub top can work really well on people with hourglass body shapes. Pair your stylish top with wide-leg scrub pants for a sophisticated, professional look.

Athletic

Also known as rectangle, the athletic body type is generally slim without prominent curves. If you have an athletic body shape, you’ll probably find most types of nursing uniforms look good. You can add a little definition to your shape by choosing drawstring scrub pants and tucking your scrub top into your waistline. Add scrub jackets or lab coats for a more layered look

Pear

People with a pear-shaped body have narrow shoulders and wide hips. You can balance out your body shape by choosing a scrub top with extra detailing, like a front patch pocket or rib-knit collar. Match your top with slim fitting scrub pants to make your silhouette appear more even. Choose a scrub top in a bold colour, like royal blue or teal, to make your top half even more eye-catching.

Inverted Triangle

An inverted triangle is the opposite of a pear. This means broad shoulders and slightly narrower hips. Make your hips appear wider by choosing a fitted scrub top and by choosing a top in a contrasting colour to your pants. If you like the look of loose-fitting unisex scrubs, tuck your top into your pants to make your waist more pronounced and draw attention away from your shoulders.

Final Thoughts

Though style is of course important, you also need to consider the functionality of your new scrubs. Look for scrub brands that offer extra features like moisture-wicking, wrinkle resistant and antimicrobial textiles. Investing in high-quality scrubs that work a little harder will help to keep you comfy during your long shifts.

To find out more about the best selling scrubs in Australia, and to explore our fantastic collection of scrubs brands, including Cherokee and Dickies, check here.