How Comfy are your Scrubs?

By Jordie Papa

Image courtesy Uniform Destination

Last week, I gave you some tips to help you look your best in scrubs.  This week, I’m going to focus on function as opposed to form, by teaching you some tips that are sure to help you choose the scrubs that will be the most comfortable.  Face it, while you want to look your best when you clock in for your shift, if your scrubs bind or chafe, your expression will be anything but happy by the time you clock out.  Believe it or not, sometimes the tiniest variation in fit can make a huge difference in whether your scrubs can go the distance.  Let me show you why.

Why aren’t your current scrubs more comfortable?

Before I can show you how to choose the perfect scrubs for you, I need you to be honest with yourself to determine exactly where and why your current pair are letting you down.  Are they too tight in the chest, or does your top hang on you like a tent?  Do your arms feel like sausages in their casings, or is that how your thighs feel when you put on your pants?  Does your gut hang over your belt line, or do your pants feel as though they are likely to fall down at any moment? Most importantly, have you experienced any chafing or rashes after your shift ended? 

Any of the above-mentioned problems can be solved by either changing the material from which your scrubs are made or by changing either the size or style of scrubs you wear. 

Chafing – While 100% cotton scrubs can feel oh so soft, in the summer, they tend to absorb a lit of moisture which can cause the fabric to get heavier and bunch up.  Particularly if you sweat profusely or have prodigious thighs, cotton might not be the best bet for Florida summers.  The same holds true for cotton/spandex blends. The solution for you might be to opt for materials that wick sweat away, like certain types of woven polyester blends.  Just make sure it is the type of poly blend that is boasts the ability to  wick moisture away.

Image courtesy of Pexels

Allergies – If you experience a rash or hives when you wear your scrubs, you may be experiencing a textile allergy.  Clothing contact dermatitis is what can happen if your body’s immune system treats certain kinds of textiles as invading organisms.  The trick is to first identify the offending textile and then eliminate it from your wardrobe.  This isn’t as simple as it at first seems, since modern clothing can be made from a variety of blended materials.  If you experience redness or a rash after wearing scrubs, you should see an allergist to run tests to determine the kind of materials to which you are sensitive.  Once discovered, you then need to read the manufacture tag to make sure your next set of scrubs contains none of the offending materials.

Is It You?

Different body types fit the same scrubs differently.  What I mean by that is before you start shopping for scrubs, you need to determine your somatype.  Human beings can be broadly classified as fitting into one of three somatypes: Mesomorph, Ectomorph or Endomorph.

Mesomorphs have large heads, broad shoulders and chests, well-muscled arms & legs, as well as minimal body fat. (Think Arnold Schwarzenegger.)

Ectomorphs have narrow faces with high foreheads and tapered chins. They are also narrow in the chest and abdomen, with long, thin arms and legs.  They typically have little in the way of body fat, no matter how much they eat.

Endomorphs have bodies that are pear-shaped. They typically sport prominent abdomens with short arms and legs where their upper arms and thighs are broad, and their wrists and ankles are narrow.

Since these somatypes are so different, is it any wonder why a style tailored for an ectomorph will be much more confining to a mesomorph and downright uncomfortable to an endomorph.  Conversely, a garment made for an endomorph would feel baggy to an ectomorph?  Once you take into consideration your body type, it will be much easier to determine which styles fit you best. 

Even though there are only three basic somatypes, that doesn’t mean there aren’t a hundred variations of each type.  That’s because each sex and somatype carries weight differently.  Pound per pound, women are genetically engineered to carry more fat on their frames than are men. Men and women also store excess fat differently.   Women tend to store fat subcutaneously in their hips and thighs, whereas excess fat on men typically heads straight to their gut.  Depending on how fit or fat your frame happens to be, this can make finding comfortable clothing a challenge.

Is It the Fit?

The other challenge is to find the right style and size of scrubs that provides optimal comfort for your frame. 

Image courtesy of wikipedia

WOMEN – When it comes to finding the most comfortable ladies top, it all comes down to the size of your chest. While V-necks are cute, they could lead to an embarrassing moment for those who are well-endowed.  If this is the case, better to opt for a round or square neck.  Endomorphs who are wider on the bottom should choose longer tops that cover the hips. Endomorphs should also opt for drawstring as opposed to pants with buttons for comfort sake.   Ectomorphs who are shorter in stature should stick to shorter tops, since longer tops will make them appear even shorter.

MEN - If you are a mesomorph with a barrel chest or well-defined biceps, stay away from tapered tops that make you feel constricted.  Conversely, if are an endomorph with a noticeable belly, better to opt for pants that ride lower on the hips. Tapered tops were made for ectomorphs, but it could be tricky to find pants that don’t hang loosely down those long thin legs.

Regardless of your body type, the most important factor in determining optimal comfort when it comes to scrubs is to try them before you buy them. 

Jordie Papa is owner of Uniform Destination with four locations in North Florida.