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!

We’re here to help you not only match your scrubs outfits, but we’re taking it a step further.

Consider this: The colors you wear can affect your mood and that of those around you.

Put the science of “color therapy” into practical use for your next scrubs shopping trip:

1. Sunny yellow.

DO wear white with a bright yellow top if you’re looking for a really fresh look. Yellow is considered a very energizing color that summons sunlight and optimism—maybe just what you’re looking for when you’ve got a long shift ahead of you!

DON’T mix too many bright colors. If you wear yellow, especially if it’s a brighter shade, you might want to make sure the other part of your scrubs outfit is a bit more muted in color, such as a dark green. And be sure not to confuse ‘sunny’ yellow with ‘caution’ yellow!

2. True blue.

DO treat blue scrub bottoms like a pair of jeans when choosing a top—there are so many fun colors that will look fantastic! Lighter shades of green and violet look terrific with darker blue scrub pants, and if you’re really into orange, wear a top of that color with blue scrub pants. Blue is identified with calmness—perhaps a perfect color to wear on a busy day.

DON’T go for just any orange colored top to match with your blue pants. While deep orange adds excitement, bright orange can look cheap.

3. Basic black.

DO wear black scrub pants or tops. You can never go wrong with any other color you choose to go with them. One of the trends in fashion this season is pairing black with colors such as purple, gray, bright green or bright blue.

DON’T, however, earn yourself the monicker ‘goth nurse.’ Wearing too much black day in and day out can look empty and depressing to the nurses and patients around you.

4. Green with envy.

DO add green to your wardrobe. Green is associated with growth, vitality and openness and can positively affect those around you. Good options to wear with bright green include brown, dark blue and more muted shades of red.

DON’T choose too many earthy tones as they can be associated with melancholy. Warm shades of brown encourage closeness.

5. Red hot.

DO try a rosy red, soft pink, or violet for a scrubs top as these colors have a calming effect and are easy to match. With stronger reds, you may want to try lighter colors with it, such as light blue, light green or light yellow.

DON’T go for a highly saturated blue-red since it can be disturbing in large amounts and possibly increase anger.

6. Which white is right?

DO embrace a white uniform as it often signals crisp, clean professionalism to your patients. White also imparts purity and brightness of spirit.

DON’T buy a uniform that is blue-white as it can look sterile instead of inviting.

We’ve picked seven of the most common body shapes (big chested, pear-shaped, full-figured, petite, tall, long-waisted, and athletic) and found scrubs that’ll look great on each.

Now find your shape…and see the scrubs that highlight your best features.

Big Chested | Pear-Shaped | Full-Figured | Petite | Tall | Long-Waisted | Athletic

We Call It “Classic” for a Reason
Nurse Elaine Golding, age 57, offers her opinion on the best scrubs look for older women: “Simple styles in solid colors look best on older women. The mock wrap tops and sweetheart-neck ones look good on us. NEVER wear them too tight or too short. When the top creeps up your body as you walk, it’s time for a looser, longer top.” LeaAnn Elliot concurs that “solids, a tunic top and a comfortable fit” are all fashion essentials. Fancy Touches from BabyPhat fits the bill for sedate colors and a long tunic cut with subtle lace detailing. It’s available in sizes up to 3X for a looser fit than you see modeled here.

Fancy Touches Top

Next: Stop Gaping (Yes, That Means YOU!) →

Everyone knows that scrubs are the official “uniform” of nurses. But many healthcare organizations also have their own rules about who gets to wear which hue. These color-coding standards vary from hospital to hospital. Some employers have more than half a dozen different colors in their coding system. Fortunately, most of the typically assigned shades are readily available. For example, ceil blue unisex tops and drawstring pants are a very common choice for hospital dress codes. Navy, white, burgundy and black are other typical options that you’ll never have trouble finding in stock.

I Feel Dotty

Polka Dots

Big, bold black and white polka dots turned heads on the runway in shimmering textiles that caught the light. You’ll have to be satisfied with a comfortable cotton fabric for your scrubs, but you can recapture a little of that glamour with an intricate black and white geometric print that appears to flicker. This optical illusion is available from Dickies in its Mums the Word print. Larger polka dots compliment a wider range of body sizes than dainty Swiss dots do. So, this is a print everyone can enjoy.

Mums the Word

Next: Getting a Little Rusty? →

1950s
Ultrafeminine fashions are popular once again in scrubs tops, but Cherokee is one of the few manufacturers also offering a traditional white skirt. For a classic ensemble, match the boxer skirt with a structured, button-front weskit (waistcoat) top and Mary Jane-style nurse’s shoes from Skechers. For a modern twist, choose a solid top in a rich jewel tone like purple or turquoise.

Sketchers Button Front Weski

Cherokee Boxer Skirt

Sketchers 76446

Next: 1960s →

Color Combinations

Skechers faux trousers

One of the great things about yellow is that it plays well with others. This means there are lots of color combinations you can use in solids or prints. Try a pale yellow scrub top with chartreuse green faux-trouser scrub pants from Skechers. To combine yellow with purple or lavender, choose a warmer shade. For a knockout combination featuring royal blue, pick a yellow that is almost gold.

Next: How to layer with pale yellow –>

Lady in White

Ralph Lauren SS 2011

(Image: Harpersbazaar.com)

White is the color of choice for most spring collections this year. Some designers focused on shape, drape and texture to add interest to these pristine ensembles. Others, like Ralph Lauren, added a touch of lace around the neckline to let a little skin tone show through.

Baby Phat 'Viva La Diva'

You can capture a similar peek-a-boo look with a Viva La Diva embroidered top from BabyPhat.

Next: bold basics –>

Dexter Douglas | Veer

Even little details can make a big difference in lifting a patient’s mood in a hospice environment. That’s one reason so many nursing professionals pay attention to the message their uniforms send.

Fun Prints Garner Comments
Getting a conversation started that doesn’t revolve around illness and discomfort can be a great distraction. Humorous prints like pigs flying or a jungle pattern bring a smile to patients’ faces and make nurses seem more approachable. Cartoon characters are always a hit—especially those that feature old-time favorites. SpongeBob SquarePants is a good pick for the pediatric floor, but elderly hospice patients are more familiar with images from a different era. Nurse Tiffany Carter-Bauer shares her secret: “My hospice people like cartoon characters of their generation (like Popeye or Betty Boop scrubs). It seems as if they regress and the innocence of cartoons gives them peace.”

Vivid Hues Spark Happiness
Nurses who wear bold colors say it brightens their patients’ day. Jolene Relander picks her wardrobe with an eye toward pleasing herself and her patients. “I have a lot of butterfly scrubs and bold prints with bright colors. The brighter the better! I feel cheerful and my patients usually compliment the ones with the most color.” Try bold flowers or a pretty aqua print. For hospices that have color codes restricting what scrubs nurses can wear, there’s still the opportunity to accessorize. Lipstick, hair scrunchies and scrub caps can all be used to add a pop of color.

Corbis

Scrubs Ideas for Mood Boosting
Butterflies are a symbol of freedom and transformation. They offer a beautiful, subtly uplifting message to patients in hospice care. Try an empire waist butterfly top and match with pastel orchid pants for a soothing and uplifting combination.

Prints that feature Garfield or Peanuts characters bring back memories of reading the “funnies” in the Sunday paper. That’s sure to prompt a smile as patients think back to their favorite comic strip. Pair this V-neck “Daisies and Peanuts” tunic with a hair clip that picks up the aqua in Lucy’s shirt. Finish the look with stylish (but comfortable) strappy white shoes that feature flower detailing.