Not sure about your shape? Take a good look in the mirror without your clothes on.

1. Are you busty/large chest with broad shoulders?

2. Do you have narrow shoulders and carry more weight in your hips and thighs?

3. Are you athletic, fairly slim, and narrow through the torso?

4. Do you have curves both in the bust and hips with a narrow waist?

These are four of the most common basic body shapes. Of course, no one fits exactly into these categories, but you should see some kind of resemblance to one of these types.

No matter what “shape” you are, please see the beauty in your body. Many people have adopted a critical voice that often compares their bodies to those of celebrities on TV, in film and in magazines. And – having worked in TV for years and having seen hundreds of actors in their underwear – here’s the dirty little secret I can tell you: They dress to showcase their greatest assets. They have professional designers find the right clothes to make them look and feel fabulous. That’s what I’m here for…think of me as your personal designer, here to help YOU look and feel fabulous. So let’s connect your body type to the best scrubs to buy and wear!

Body Type 1
If you are Body Type 1 (busty/large chest with broad shoulders), try to steer away from wearing tight tops. Not only will they be uncomfortable, but they won’t be flattering, either. And don’t go in the opposite direction and wear a baggy top to hide your bust. A V-neck, mock-wrap scrub top will be flattering for you. Stay away from prints on the top and lean toward darker colors. Keep your pants fitted, but not tight. Your goal is to enhance your look with the correct proportions.

Body Type 2
If you have narrow shoulders with more weight on your hips and thighs, you can easily wear a printed top. Try layering a printed hip-length jacket with a solid boatneck or scoop-neck top. Pair this with a solid pant.

Body Type 3
If you have an athletic, narrow and slim build, prints can be flattering on you. Don’t hesitate to layer. You can wear a short-sleeve jacket with a long-sleeve tee to “hip” up some of your separates. Any kind of ruching or other details on your tops would be great for you. A pair of flared pants will complement your look.

Body Type 4
If you’re #4 on the list (lots of curves on the top and bottom), try flared pants with scoop tees. V-neck wrap tops are good for you. Try a nipped-waist jacket with straight-leg pants. Small-print tops can be great for your body type.

Katie’s Picks:
Black or grey unisex drawstring pant – goes great with any top.
Try this great empire waist print top from Cherokee’s City Scapes Collection. It’s feminine, fresh and pretty.
Stylish short sleeve t-shirts. Love these! Both the black and white are great staples to have in your closet.
The new fold over waist pant in black. These fold over pants come in many different colors and look so comfortable.
Zip front warm up jacket. This jacket will look great with the fold over pants and either the white or black tee. Mix it up for two different looks.

Style Tips for Men
For you male nurses, be sure you feel comfortable in your scrubs. Don’t wear anything, top or bottom, that’s too tight. If you’re not at your ideal weight, don’t let the size number influence you. Buy scrubs in a size that fits well. No one is looking at the tag.

I’d love to hear about and see your success stories! I’m also here to help you with any questions you may have for me. Remember, first impressions do count and can project an assured, stylish nurse. Scrubs can affect your job, especially if you’re wearing the styles that flatter your body shape. Not only will you look better in scrubs that work for your body type, but you’ll also have the confidence to wear them well!

Image: Buena Vista Images | Photodisc | Getty Images

Are you buying the latest scrubs fashions and wondering why they don’t look better on you? Chances are you either have a tall or a petite body type. Looking at the Internet or your fashion magazines, you’re most likely seeing models with perfect proportions.

Knowing how to be savvy and interpret the latest fashions for your body type can make all the difference. It’s so easy to look on the surface and get swept away by marketing and advertising without even knowing that you’ve been hooked!

In my career as a costume designer, I have dressed many actors. Most of them don’t have perfect bodies, yet the viewer would never know. The secret is finding the right clothes and fitting them so that the proportions are perfect. If I’ve done my job well, you can’t tell if an actor is tall or petite. If you stick with the correct proportions for your body type, you too can look your very best—like Tom Cruise or Salma Hayek.

The key to shopping for your size is using your noggin and knowing your body type.

Scrubs Fashion Tips for Tall Nurses

Do you have long arms and legs? Most likely you fit into the tall category. There is nothing like an outfit that has sleeves that are too short—or worse, pants that are too short—to throw off your look. Warning: Rolling up your sleeves or pulling down your pants to get the proper length is not the solution. So what is? Accepting your unique size and buying clothes that are made for your body type are imperative for looking your best.

Retail companies acknowledge the different body types of their customers and now supply tall versions of their latest fashions. However, if the clothes don’t come in tall, check the clothes to see if they can be tailored to fit. If you love a scrubs top that fits well, but the sleeves are too short, inspect the hems of the sleeves. Is there enough extra fabric to bring down the sleeve length? If so, you can have the top tailored to the correct sleeve length. Just a small alteration can make any piece of clothing fit like it was cut just for you.

Tall Scrubs

Scrubs Fashion Tips for Petite Nurses

Are you petite? You must follow the golden rule and buy petite clothes. Proportion is even more important for petite nurses than it is for tall ones. If you buy a regular-size top with petite pants, you might as well have purchased both pieces in the wrong size. Being a petite size can be frustrating, but more than other shapes and sizes, proportion is absolutely a must to avoid looking “tiny.” Buying a size small is not the same as buying something that is petite. When companies size their clothes, they reduce each size from the original pattern they cut. So a size 4 is the same cut as a 14, but several sizes smaller. A petite is sized differently. The proportions are cut specifically for a petite person. Experiment and try on a small and then a petite top. You’ll see the difference in fit.

Petite Scrubs

Tailoring for the Perfect Fit

Unfortunately, if a garment is not available in your size, adjustments have to be made for your body type using what is available. There are many types of petite body shapes—short torsos with long legs, long torsos with short legs, etc. No matter what type of petite you are, good alterations will ensure your look is tailor-made. Check to be sure your scrubs top is the right length in the torso. If it’s too long, it’ll tend to look sloppy. Keep the hem length in proportion to your body type. If the sleeves are too long, that’s an easy fix, too. Just have your tailor hem up the sleeves for you. Make sure that the arms aren’t too wide. They can be nipped in along a seam and make all the difference.

Likewise for you tall gals, if the scrubs top doesn’t come in tall, making just a few alterations can mean all the difference in the fit. Make sure the top is long enough in the torso and definitely make sure your sleeves are long enough in the arms. If the sleeves are too short, then let out the sleeve length. Are the sleeves too wide? If so, have your tailor take them in a bit. Once the tailor has pinned your top for alterations, you’ll begin to see how an XL can become a Tall XL or an S can transform into a Small Petite.

Image: Tracy Hebden | Veer

As a nurse working with the public, it’s important to look professional. So while anti-bacterial hand gel and a wallet are essential to keep in your bag, a nurse’s best friend can be a small collection of items that will keep you looking pulled together when your day…um…unravels.

Here are the bits and pieces that I always have readily accessible for my fashion emergencies.

Toupee Tape
Sewing Kit
Stain Wipes

First, toupee tape…not just for affixing a rug anymore…

Image: © iStockphoto.com

Nursing can be very physical work, from leaning over your patients to take their blood pressure to administering an IV to lifting a patient to a gurney. It’s all part of the job.

No matter what you’re doing at work, looking professional is a necessity. No matter where you work, you’re representing the hospital or medical office. Looking like a competent and qualified nurse is essential.

Here are five tips (with helpful visuals…ahem!) to help you be mindful of fashion blunders!

(1) Watch the cleavage
(2) Steer clear of stains
(3) Too tight ain’t right
(4) No peek-a-boo, please
(5) High waters = low marks

First, watch the cleavage…

Image: Ryan McVay | Stone | Getty Images

With summer right around the corner, now is the time to rethink your scrubs so you can look your best.

Here are 5 easy, surefire “industry” tricks to make you look much thinner without dieting or stepping into the gym.

1. Say yes to monochrome
2. Get rid of anything too snug or too big
3. Choose strategic detailing
4. Get the perfect fitting pants
5. Choose the right prints

1. Say yes to monochrome

Dressing in monochrome scrubs is the first and most important step to help create a longer, leaner line. Dressing in one color gives the illusion of looking thinner because of the continuous color; it doesn’t break up the vertical line like wearing two different colors can.

Another way to accentuate your body and camouflage those trouble areas is to wear dark colors. Colors like black, brown, navy, charcoal, burgundy, deep green and purple are slimming. And always wear the styles that complement your body type. This scrub top with the feminine scoop neck is a great way to wear the monochromatic color combinations. The black, brown and navy are excellent choices.

Skechers

I like this solid-color warm-up jacket with a pair of the Skechers pants in a matching color.

Skechers

1. Say yes to monochrome
2. Get rid of anything too snug or too big
3. Choose strategic detailing
4. Get the perfect fitting pants
5. Choose the right prints

Know what to toss from your closet with #2…

What’s a classic scrubs piece?

A classic working wardrobe is a functional wardrobe. Each piece should mix and match well together. You want each item to be able to be paired with at least three other pieces in your wardrobe.

Color is also important. You want to build a wardrobe of scrubs with basic solid colors like black, brown, taupe, white, navy or green. Patterned pieces that hold up over time are stripes and polka dots. Neutral pieces can be interchangeable with bright colors.

Fit is always the name of the game. If your scrubs are a good fit, you look good. Classic tailored lines work because of their ability to flatter, their wearability and their style. The beauty of a classic piece of clothing is its simplicity.

Scroll through to see eight scrubs outfits that I think are flattering and will be in style for years to come:

Look #1 –>

Here are our fashion expert’s picks for scrubs outfits that look great from top to bottom. Pick your color from our list below to find a great match for you.


White | Purple | Blue | Green | Pink | Yellow | Brown | Black

FOR MALE NURSES

Green | Black

For 5,000 years, people have cultivated flowers—now scrubs designers are, too. To help you get a stylish dose of smile-inducing fresh petals for your workday, here’s a look at my favorite floral print scrubs from the newest collections.

Tulips
Daisies
Pansies
Roses
Daffodils
Dandelions
Hydrangeas
Daisies and Butterflies
Gerberas

This watch is fashionable and practical, and at just $19.95, you can’t go wrong. It’s a great timepiece for work or jetting about town. No one will believe the price when they see this on your wrist! It’s perfect to wear with your casual clothes or to make your scrubs outfit a little more hip.

Wow-black Women’s Plastic Black Watch

Next, one great bag –>

Image: Digital Vision | Thinkstock + Scrubs

Forget about your size. Having a great look and style is about making the most of your body shape.

And yes, you can accentuate your best assets and disguise your flaws by choosing the right cut, colors and prints.

Here are four essential scrubs fashion tips for the curvy nurse, brought to you by the Hollywood stylist who has dressed some of the curviest stars (we can’t disclose names but suffice it to say she’s got experience!).

(1) Shapes that flatter a larger bust
(2) Shapes that flatter the ‘apple’ figure
(3) Shapes that minimize larger thighs
(4) Important scrubs style notes for every nurse

Shapes that flatter a larger bust…