Why Scrub Tees are Tee-rific?

By Jordie Papa

Image by Uniform Destination

During the past few months I have endeavored to tell you all there is to know about scrubs.  I’ve covered everything from the origin of scrubs to how to find the best scrubs for you.  Today I thought I’d talk about scrub tees.  These shirts come in both short and long sleeve.  They can be worn alone as a top or beneath your scrubs.  If you’re searching for a way to stay warm in a ward or doctor’s office where the air conditioner is set way too low, or you just want to dress more casually without losing style points, scrub tees could be just the thing.

To Tee or not to Tee?  That is the Question.

While scrub tees allow the wearer to appear stylish while wearing what amounts to a t-shirt, there are reasons other than the fashion police that could preclude your donning them.  If you work in or near the OR, scrub tees are out.  This isn’t a fashion distinction, it’s a cleanliness point, since an operating room is a sterile area that requires strict adherence to guidelines designed to thwart the spread of germs.  There are even rules in the OR that preclude the wearing of long-sleeved scrubs, since these are also more prone to contamination than their short-sleeved variant. 

Getting the Right Fit

Courtesy Uniform Destination

While hospital rules may preclude you from donning scrub tees, that isn’t the only reason that could preclude you from donning them.  The other has to do with making sure your tee fits you to a tee.  What I mean by that is anything worn beneath your scrubs need to fit reasonably snug, since loose folds can snag on objects near you.  You won’t make many friends if you knock over an intravenous stand or get hung up in a patient’s traction rig.  Besides, loose-fitting clothing looks sloppy, which is not the image a modern healthcare provider wishes to portray. 

Of course, you also don’t want tees that are too tight.    Any garment that fits too snugly can make it difficult to breathe, not to mention hamper your ability to move.  The purpose of wearing a shirt under your scrubs is to make you more comfortable, not less.  If a tee shirt makes you feel like a sausage in a casing, you have clearly missed the mark.

What have you got up your sleeve?

If you’re unable to wear long-sleeved tees due to cross-contamination issues, there is another option.  Three quarter length sleeves can help you stay warm without risking contamination.  You can easily wash up without your sleeves getting in the way.

Courtesy Uniform Destination

Speaking of having something up your sleeves, why not just wear ordinary cotton tees under your scrubs?  The reason is that all undershirts are not made equal.  Cotton tees, while highly absorbent, can limit mobility.  Designer undertees made for medical professionals employ a highly advanced blend of fabrics that conform to the body without restricting movement.  These fabrics are also engineered to wick away moisture and repel stains much better than 100% cotton tees.  When you look at scrub tees, don’t think underwear, think athletic wear.

The Tees, They Are a Changing

Just as the medical profession is constantly changing to keep up with advances in science, so is medical wear. Scrub tees are designed to transition from a cool ward to a hot summer day and back again without leaving you drenched in sweat.  Their ergonomic architecture was created to help you transition from the OR to the mall or the gym without having to stop to change your outfit.  If you’re looking for a fashionable addition to your work wardrobe that’s fashionable, versatile and long-lasting, scrub tees are tee-riffic.

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