Scrubs are one of the most popular uniforms in the healthcare industry. Because of their wide use and immense popularity, over the years there has been a boom of unique designs.

Choosing a pair of scrubs can be difficult. With so many nursing scrubs for sale today, it’s not just the colour and style you have to think about. You also have to consider how they fit your body and affect your movement.

Just as every role in healthcare is unique, so is every body. Whether you have a petite frame or a tall, slender figure, you deserve scrubs that support your movement and keep you comfortable throughout your entire shift.

Understanding Your Body Shape

If you’ve ever tried an outfit that looks amazing on someone else but somehow looks off on you, you’re sadly not alone. Every woman has at least once experienced unease while wearing an outfit. This feeling is extremely common, and it’s most likely because you’re not wearing the right style for your body type. Some clothes just look better on certain body shapes. There is nothing wrong with your body.

The same goes for nursing scrubs. To find scrubs that look flattering on your body, you must first understand your body type.

• Hourglass: If your bust and hips are about the same width and you have a clearly defined waist, you’re an hourglass. This body type gets its name from the distinct shape of an hourglass. Many women with hourglass figures have natural curves and struggle to find clothes that hug them right.
• Pear: If your hips are significantly wider than your bust and shoulders, then you’re a pear. This means your curves are concentrated in the hip area, making your lower body wider than the top.
• Rectangle: If your bust, waist, and hips are all roughly the same width, then you have a rectangle body shape. This is considered an athlete’s build, with minimal curves and a straight silhouette. Women with this body type have little to no waist definition, which is where their main struggle with clothes stems from.
• Inverted Triangle: If your bust and shoulders are significantly wider than your hips, then you’re an inverted triangle. This body type is the opposite of the pear. The defining feature of an inverted triangle body shape is a slim lower body paired with a broader, more prominent upper body.
• Apple: If you have a fuller bust, wider hips and a less-defined waist, then you’re an apple. This body type is often characterised by a fuller midsection and more slender arms.    

Best Scrub Styles for Different Body Types

Understanding your body type when looking for nursing scrubs for sale isn’t just about appearance; it’s also about comfort, confidence and functionality. Nursing is a difficult profession, defined by long shifts, frequent movement and long time spent on your feet. This is exactly why you have to wear scrubs that can handle sharp movements and frequent stretching.

Here are the perfect styles for each body type.

Hourglass

If you’re an hourglass, you’d benefit from scrubs that highlight your waist while also appearing flattering around your bust and hips. Many women with hourglass figures struggle to find pants that fit both their waist and hips comfortably. This is why you should always go for scrub bottoms with an elastic waistband. They are stretchy, extremely easy to put on, and, not to mention, incredibly comfortable.

As for tops, focus on scrubs that accentuate your figure. V-neck tops and other lower, wider necklines are often flattering for women with larger busts.

Pear 

Women with pear-shaped figures look best in items that draw attention to their upper body and minimise the impact of the lower body on their outfits. Wider collars, boat necks and even tunic-style shirts that cover the waist area look amazing on women with larger hips.

As for pants, wide-leg or flared bottoms look the best. Flared bottoms highlight your hips if you’d like to draw attention to them, and wide-leg bottoms help streamline your lower body.

Rectangle

The goal with rectangle bodies is to create the appearance of curves. Choosing tops with defined waistlines and lower necklines helps highlight your waist and bust area. If you’re pairing your scrub top with a shirt underneath, think about styling it with flared sleeves, which can add volume to your arms.

Think about getting stub bottoms with lower waistlines. This helps bring attention to your slender figure. Flared pants tend to pair well with any top. They also look amazing if you have longer legs.

Inverted Triangle

If you’re an inverted triangle, you should choose scrubs that highlight the lower half of your body while keeping the upper half simple. Mock wrap scrub tops are especially flattering, as they highlight the waist and create a balanced look. 

V-necks are shirts with wide collars and also look extremely flattering on women with inverted-triangle bodies. Wide-leg scrub pants with waist details can help enhance your hips while adding balanced volume to your lower body.

Apple

If you struggle to find flattering tops for your apple body type, you should focus on scrub tops that draw attention away from your midsection and bring attention to your arms instead.

Tops with lower necklines and longer sleeves help accentuate your arms and provide an elegant appearance. You can pair these tops with wide-leg or straight-leg pants that offer the perfect blend between elegance and comfort.

How to Balance Comfort and Fashion in Healthcare

When you’re working 12-hour shifts, comfort should be your top priority. Style is always welcome in a professional setting, but when you’re constantly on the go, fashion sometimes has to be put on the back burner.

This is not to say that you can’t be fashionable as a nurse. You just have to take a different approach.

Most people associate scrubs with pyjamas. They are loose-fitting, lightweight, and, above all, exceptionally comfortable, but they can be stylish as well. If you’d like to appear more professional, well-fitted scrubs are the way to go. When your clothes cling to your skin like a glove, you appear more elegant and put-together.

If you don’t have a strict colour dress code, try wearing neutral colours. Soft shades can help create a more professional appearance, while greys, muted tones, and powder colours are a great way to add a polished touch to your scrubs.

Another factor you have to consider is the material of your scrubs. Cotton is soft and extremely lightweight; however, it tends to gather moisture, making it uncomfortable for long shifts. The ideal material for scrubs is a blend of nylon and cotton, which combines the best qualities of both materials.

Summary 

In conclusion, if you find your scrubs unflattering, you may not have found the right style or fit for your body type. Modern nursing scrubs are stylish, versatile, and incredibly comfortable. This leaves you with many options to choose from. Take the time to understand your body type, explore different styles, and find scrubs that make you feel confident and comfortable throughout your workday.