Have you ever wondered how to tell whether the scrub set that has just arrived is actually good? You put it on, stand in front of the mirror and think: it looks pretty good. But will you still think the same after several hours at work?
A good set proves itself later — after a series of patients, several hours of work and dozens of times reaching for your phone or tools. If everything stays where it should, nothing pulls and nothing needs constant adjustment, that is the point.
Medical scrubs should look professional, but above all they should support you in everyday work. They should not pull under the arms. They should not slide down when you bend. They should not force you to pull the top back into place every time you raise your arms. A pocket should hold your phone, and the trousers should fit well both when the pocket is empty and when it is loaded.
In this guide we bring together the most important things worth knowing before buying: what scrubs are, how they differ from protective clothing, how to assess fabric, cut, size and functionality, and how to care for them.
Quick answer — what should you look for when choosing scrubs?
A good scrub set should match the way you actually work. Before buying, check in particular:
- cut and construction ease — the garment should allow free movement while sitting, bending and raising your arms;
- fabric — not only the fibre content on the label matters, but also how the fabric drapes, stretches, recovers and feels against the body;
- size — do not rely only on the S, M or L you wear in another brand;
- pockets — they should hold the things you actually carry at work;
- finishing — pay attention to seams, waistband, neckline and the areas most exposed to strain;
- care rules — a good uniform should be easy to maintain according to the recommendations for the specific fabric.
And one more thing: scrubs are not automatically personal protective equipment (PPE). They are primarily workwear. If a procedure requires protection against a specific hazard, appropriately selected protective clothing or other PPE is required. [1] [2]
Table of contents
- What are medical scrubs?
- Who wears scrubs?
- How to choose scrubs for your type of work
- How to choose good medical scrubs
- Which fabric should you choose for scrubs?
- How should scrubs fit?
- Women’s, men’s or unisex?
- How to choose your size
- How many pockets do you really need?
- Does scrub colour matter?
- How to wash scrubs
- Scrubs or a lab coat?
- What does “premium scrubs” actually mean?
- What affects the price of scrubs?
- Checklist before buying
- FAQ
What are medical scrubs?
Scrubs are usually a two-piece uniform consisting of a top and trousers, designed for work in healthcare, veterinary medicine, physiotherapy, dentistry and parts of the beauty industry.
The name comes from the English expression “to scrub in”, connected with the preparation of a surgical team for a procedure. Over time, scrubs moved far beyond the operating theatre and became everyday workwear in many professions.
This is important: ordinary scrubs are not PPE by definition. The CDC explicitly distinguishes standard work clothing — including uniforms and scrubs — from personal protective equipment intended to protect against a specific hazard. [1]
If a procedure creates a risk of contact with blood, body fluids or other potentially infectious material, the choice of protective clothing should result from a risk assessment and the protective properties of the product. [2]
In other words: scrubs can be an excellent base layer for work, but they do not automatically replace a protective gown, gloves, eye protection or other equipment required for a particular procedure.
Who wears scrubs?
Doctors, nurses, midwives, dentists, physiotherapists, veterinarians, technicians, cosmetologists and professionals working in aesthetic medicine — the list is long.
But not because “scrubs are compulsory for everyone”.
They are simply a practical solution in many professions because they:
- do not restrict movement;
- provide useful pockets;
- make it easy to separate work clothes from private clothing;
- give a team a consistent, professional appearance;
- can be adapted to the nature of a specific job.
A physiotherapist moves differently from a dentist. A cosmetologist uses pockets differently from a paramedic. A doctor conducting consultations may have different needs from someone working in an operating theatre.
That is why there is no single “best scrub” for every profession. There is, however, a well- or poorly chosen uniform.
How to choose scrubs for your type of work
Not every profession places the same demands on clothing. The table below is not a rigid rule saying “a doctor must always wear this and a physiotherapist that”, but it is a useful starting point.
| Type of work | What to pay particular attention to |
|---|---|
| Doctor / nurse / midwife | comfort during long hours, freedom of movement, practical pockets and a stable trouser waistband |
| Physiotherapy | a wide range of motion, comfortable crotch construction, fabric stretch and a cut that does not ride up during exercises |
| Dentistry | comfort during prolonged forward-leaning work, a stable neckline, freedom around the shoulders and sleeves that do not get in the way of precise movements |
| Cosmetology / aesthetic medicine | a clean silhouette, freedom for precise movements and pockets matched to items used during treatments |
| Veterinary medicine | freedom when bending and working in different positions, functional pockets and fabric suited to intensive use |
The best guide is your everyday work. If you spend most of the day sitting beside a patient, you will focus on different things from someone who constantly kneels, bends or works with the arms held in front of the body.
How to choose good medical scrubs
The easiest way to start is with one question:
What does this garment need to do while I am working?
- can you reach your arms forward freely;
- does the top stay down when you raise your arms;
- do the trousers stay in place when you squat;
- does your phone fit in the pocket;
- does a loaded pocket pull the trousers down;
- does the neckline stay in place when you lean forward;
- do you simply feel comfortable in the set?
That is why a fibre-content table and a photo of a model are not enough.
Construction matters as much as fabric
Comfort is influenced by crotch length, sleeve shape, seam placement, neckline depth, waistband construction and the amount of ease in the right areas.
At UNDAMED we spend a lot of time refining the base pattern. We sew prototypes, fit them on different body types, make corrections and return to further fittings.
And we do not fit garments only while standing.
We sit down. We bend. We raise our arms. We squat. We put a phone in a pocket and watch what happens to the whole garment.
Because a well-designed uniform should work precisely when you stop thinking about it.
We show the whole process in How we design medical scrubs — behind the scenes.
Which fabric should you choose for scrubs?
There is no single fibre composition that is ideal for everyone.
And it is not fair to judge a fabric only by seeing “polyester”, “viscose”, “cotton” or “elastane” on the label.
The behaviour of the finished fabric also depends on its construction, weight, weave, finishing and the proportions of the individual fibres.
Viscose
Viscose is a cellulose fibre. Fabrics containing viscose can be soft, pleasant to the touch and drape well on the body. [6]
Polyester
Polyester fibres are used, among other things, because of their mechanical strength and low water absorption. The word “polyester” alone still tells you very little about the comfort of the finished fabric. [6]
Elastane
Elastane is a highly stretchable and resilient fibre used as a component of blends. It can increase fabric stretch, but that does not mean you should buy a garment one size too small just because “it stretches”. [6]
In one of the fabrics used by UNDAMED we work with a blend of 60% polyester, 35% viscose and 5% elastane. We chose it not on the basis of fibre content alone, but after sewing and testing prototypes in motion. We wore garments made from it ourselves and checked how they behaved after washing and ironing. You can read more about fabric selection and our testing process here.
What about “fluid resistance”?
This is where marketing language needs particular care.
A fabric with limited wettability or a specific finish does not automatically become protective clothing. In protection against blood and body fluids, what matters is the intended use of the product, its barrier properties and appropriate selection for the actual risk. [2]
How should scrubs fit?
Fitted, but not tight. Relaxed, but not baggy.
A well-cut top should not pull strongly across the chest or under the arms. When you reach your arms forward or raise them above your head, it should not suddenly expose half of your back.
Trousers should allow you to sit and squat freely without tension through the crotch and without sliding down at the back.
Premium does not mean the garment should be tighter.
It means the pattern follows the body without taking away freedom of movement.
Women’s, men’s or unisex?
The distinction between women’s, men’s and unisex scrubs matters primarily because each label may represent a different pattern construction.
Women’s models often allow for a greater difference between waist and hips and provide space for the bust. Men’s patterns may handle shoulders, torso and trouser shape differently. Unisex cuts usually have more neutral proportions and greater ease, although everything depends on the specific pattern.
Do not therefore choose only on the basis of the label. Check the product measurements and see how that specific cut works on your body. If it fits well and gives you freedom of movement, that is what matters most.
How to choose your scrub size
Do not start with:
“I always wear M.”
A size M from one brand does not have to correspond to an M from another. Clothing size systems can be built around body measurements, but the finished garment dimensions and the amount of ease are determined by the pattern construction of the specific model. [3] [5]
Measure primarily:
- bust or chest;
- waist;
- hips;
- and, where necessary, leg length.
Also check whether the manufacturer’s chart shows body measurements or finished garment measurements. These are not the same thing.
If your upper and lower body point to different sizes, choosing the top and trousers separately is usually more sensible than forcing your whole body into one size letter.
And if you do not fit the standard chart? At UNDAMED we can prepare selected products to individual measurements, change length or adjust selected elements to a specific need.
A complete measurement and sizing guide is available here: How to choose the right scrub size and avoid buying twice.
How many pockets do you really need?
More is not always better.
A pocket should be in the right place, have the right depth and should not distort the garment when loaded.
If you carry a phone all day, check whether it actually fits — not only while the pocket is empty on a product photo.
If you use an ID badge, a dedicated loop may be more convenient than clipping it to the neckline.
If you need several small items during work, a hidden pocket may make more sense than yet another large patch pocket on the outside.
That is why at UNDAMED we test pockets with real loads, and for individual orders we can adjust the number or size of pockets in selected models.
Does scrub colour matter?
Yes — but there is no single “best medical colour”.
Colour may have:
- an organisational role if a facility uses its own staff-identification system;
- a practical role, because different stains are more or less visible on light and dark fabrics;
- an image-related role, because navy, burgundy, sage or light blue create a very different overall impression.
I would not, however, base the choice solely on simplified claims such as “green calms patients” or “navy creates authority”. Context, specialty, workplace rules and your own preferences matter just as much.
We discuss this subject in more detail in Which scrub colour should you choose?.
How to wash scrubs
The best answer is:
according to the care instructions of the specific product.
There is no universal rule saying that every fabric containing elastane must always be washed at exactly the same temperature. The entire finished product and the manufacturer’s instructions matter.
Ordinary home washing should also not be confused with professional handling of contaminated workwear.
In Poland, the National Labour Inspectorate states that an employee may not be assigned to wash workwear at home if it has been contaminated, among other things, with biologically infectious material. [4]
Care rules therefore also depend on the conditions in which the uniform was used.
Our complete guide to temperature, stains, colour and care is here: How to wash scrubs without damaging the fabric and fading the colour.
Scrubs or a lab coat?
This is not a competition in which one option always wins.
Scrubs can be the primary workwear. A classic medical coat can be an additional layer, part of staff identification or clothing used during some consultations.
A protective gown, on the other hand, is a different category again. If it is intended to protect against a specific hazard, its intended use, construction, body coverage and verified protective properties are what matter. [2]
The choice should therefore follow the type of work and the risk, rather than a rule that “scrubs are modern and coats are old-fashioned”.
A detailed comparison is available in Scrubs or a lab coat — what should you choose for your work?.
What does “premium scrubs” actually mean?
The word is used so often that it can easily stop meaning anything.
For us, premium medical clothing does not simply mean a higher price or a fashionable logo.
Premium starts earlier.
With the idea, the drawing and the time spent on pattern construction. With the first pattern, which is rarely the last one. With a prototype that needs fitting, adjusting and sewing again.
With someone checking whether the pocket actually holds a phone.
With the possibility of making trousers longer or shorter when the standard length does not match your body.
With the quality of seam, neckline and waistband finishing.
With a fabric selected for the specific model rather than bought only because it looks good on a swatch card.
And finally, with the possibility of adapting a product to a person instead of expecting every person to adapt to a size chart.
At UNDAMED we design and manufacture clothing in Poland, drawing on experience in garment design, pattern construction and clothing production gained since 2012.
What affects the price of scrubs?
It is not fair to divide the market into:
cheap = bad, expensive = good.
Price on its own is not proof of quality.
The cost of a uniform is influenced by, among other things:
- the type and quality of fabric;
- production scale;
- place of manufacture;
- the design and production process;
- complexity of the pattern construction;
- sewing and finishing quality;
- number of pockets and additional elements;
- quality control;
- personalisation or made-to-measure options.
Instead of asking only “how much do good scrubs cost?”, it is better to ask:
what exactly am I getting for this price?
Checklist before buying scrubs
Before clicking “order”, check:
- Does the chart show body measurements or finished garment measurements?
- Can you choose the top and trousers separately?
- What is the fabric composition and how does the manufacturer describe its care?
- Does the cut suit your body and the way you work?
- Are the pockets positioned where you will actually use them?
- Does your phone fit in a pocket without distorting the garment?
- After a squat and raising your arms, does the uniform stay in place?
- Can the product be adjusted if the standard length or proportions do not suit you?
- Are the rules concerning returns and personalisation clearly described?
- Does the manufacturer show more than a photo — for example how the product is designed, tested and sewn?
Are scrubs comfortable?
Well-chosen scrubs should allow you to sit, bend, raise your arms and work for several hours without constantly adjusting your clothes.
A good uniform will not do the job for you. It can, however, make you stop thinking about what you are wearing.
That is why at UNDAMED we treat scrubs as a work tool: we design the pattern, sew prototypes, fit them, make corrections and test the garment in motion.
If you want to explore a specific topic in more detail, see also:
- How we design medical scrubs — behind the scenes
- How to choose the right scrub size and avoid buying twice
- Which scrub colour should you choose?
- How to wash scrubs without damaging the fabric and fading the colour
- Scrubs or a lab coat — what should you choose for your work?
Sources
1. Centers for Disease Control
and Prevention (CDC). Best Practices for Personal
Protective Equipment — Are scrubs considered PPE? The CDC explains
that ordinary work clothing, including uniforms and scrubs, is not
intended to protect against a hazard and is not considered PPE.
https://www.cdc.gov/dental-infection-control/hcp/dental-ipc-faqs/personal-protective-equipment.html
2. CDC / NIOSH.
Protective Clothing in Healthcare and Selecting Protective
Clothing. The selection of protective clothing should follow the
type of hazard, exposure risk and barrier properties of the
product.
https://www.cdc.gov/niosh/healthcare/protective-clothing/index.html
https://www.cdc.gov/niosh/healthcare/protective-clothing/selection.html
3. International Organization for
Standardization (ISO). ISO 8559-1:2017 — Size designation
of clothes — Part 1: Anthropometric definitions for body
measurement. The standard describes anthropometric measurements
used to create clothing size profiles; it was reconfirmed as current in
2026.
https://www.iso.org/standard/61686.html
4. Polish National Labour
Inspectorate. When may an employee not be assigned to wash
workwear? The Inspectorate states that an employee may not be
assigned to wash workwear contaminated with, among other things,
biologically infectious materials; legal basis: Article 237¹⁰ of the
Polish Labour Code.
https://www.pip.gov.pl/dla-pracodawcow/pytania-i-odpowiedzi/kiedy-nie-mozna-powierzyc-pracownikowi-prania-odziezy-roboczej
5. International Organization for
Standardization (ISO). ISO 8559-2:2025 — Size designation
of clothes — Part 2: Primary and secondary dimension indicators.
Current edition defining primary and secondary dimensions used in a
body-measurement-based clothing size designation system.
https://www.iso.org/standard/85590.html
6. Integrated Educational
Platform. Natural, artificial and synthetic fibres.
Educational material describing, among other things, viscose as a
cellulose fibre and the properties of polyester and elastane
fibres.
https://zpe.gov.pl/a/wlokna-naturalne-sztuczne-i-syntetyczne/DGQKwcYV4
About the author
The UNDAMED team creates and develops medical clothing based on experience gained since 2012 in garment design, pattern construction and clothing production in Poland.
We do not assess a garment only on a standing body. We fit prototypes on different people, check them while sitting, bending, raising the arms and squatting, test loaded pockets and return to the pattern if something can be improved.
Because comfort should not be a slogan on a label. It should be something you still feel after several hours of work.