Stay Clean and Sanitized With These Best Scrub Tops

Scrub Top Buyer’s Guide

A scrub top is a perfect top to wear at home even if you’re not a nurse. This guide will cover the basics regarding scrub tops and why they’re so iconic.

The History of Scrubs

Scrubs are associated with the hospital and any medical environment, and that’s because they’re almost exclusively used in such areas in a professional capacity. Scrubs were originally designed to be used by surgeons, who would scrub themselves clean before attempting surgery. Because they were used for “scrubbing”, the term “scrubs” stuck, and the garments are now associated with any sort of medical wear.

Over time, scrubs have evolved to refer to any set of tops and bottoms that are worn in a medical field by nurses, surgeons, and the like. Of course, there are exceptions to this, but generally, when you see a uniform of a matching top and bottom with a loose fit, that’s probably a scrub.

These days, scrubs are worn in the hospital to help keep the building clean and sanitary. When employees enter the hospital, they bring with them all sorts of particles and micro-particles from the outside, some of which could potentially be dangerous to patients. Wearing scrubs heavily minimizes the chances of this happening, which is why they’re still heavily used by many medical workers to this day.

The Hallmarks of a Scrub Top

The loose fit

Loose fits are very common with scrubs. You’re going to be wearing them throughout your shift, after all, and since you may end up moving quite a bit during emergencies, you’ll need something that’s both light and loose. This not only gives you more freedom to move around but also results in a more comfortable fit as you go about your day.

The v-neck

V-necks are present in many kinds of clothing, and scrubs often have V-necks as part of their design. This isn’t always the case, but more often than not you’ll find scrubs with a V-neck. V-necks give you a bit more breathing room around your neck, which is ideal if you’re working in a hospital or clinic.

The front pockets

Finally, the front pockets — these things are what really give scrubs their iconic look. Without them, the top could pass for a typical V-neck shirt. The front pockets of a scrub top give the wearer space to put their belongings and equipment in, and the location makes it very convenient for grabbing things in the event of an emergency.

Things To Look Out for When Picking a Good Scrub Top

The size

Scrubs are meant to give the wearer a comfortable fit, and this is very important. While you may be fine picking a top that’s slim-fitting when it comes to other pieces of clothing, that isn’t the case with a scrub top. You want function over form in a good scrub top, which is why comfort is valued above all else, and why you should pick a size that’s not too loose but not too tight, either.

The pockets

Do not underestimate the power of scrub pockets. Sure, they look great for putting your pockets in, and that’s what a lot of people do when wearing scrubs, but they’re far more functional than hoodie pockets. The separated pockets mean you can store different things and keep them somewhat organized — for example, you could keep personal items in one pocket and work-related items in the other. Try looking out for scrubs with extra pockets as well, as those can come in real handy if used properly.

How We Choose the Ideal Scrub Tops

There are a few factors that go into picking the ideal scrub tops. We think about the available sizes and colors of the scrub top, as well as what materials the top is made out of. We also consider the design of the top, the size of the V-neck collar, and the pockets that the top offers.