ScrubsDirect Nursing Blog

I’m sitting on my couch, wrapped up in a blanket with one of the two kitties by my side, pondering the future of medical uniforms. I’m also fighting a cold, but I’m determined to beat it down. Small business owners have no time to be sick. But back to medical uniforms. Remember when uniforms were just that…uniforms? They were boxy and baggy and just plain made you feel like you could smuggle potatoes to work. Now the major companies have come out with Baby Phat and a line by Katherine Heigl. You have lace, ruffles, sequins, sheer fabric, flared legs, low ride pants, etc., etc. The question is, are they still uniforms? At what point do you just go to your local department store and buy your “uniform” off the rack?

Back in our other, much warmer, life in California, we sold a lot of trendy uniforms. Now that we’re back in the Midwest, the market is different. The women here love a pretty print as much as anyone, but they want to be able to move. If they wear an extra large, they want a 2X because it feels better. They don’t want the neckline too low because they don’t think their job description includes a peep show. They don’t want their underwear to show because it is “under wear.” The point I’m trying to make is that I have a Midwest mentality. When I think of medical uniforms I think of comfort, pretty colors and easy to care for material.

As owners of a website and a retail store, we have representatives from all of the major uniform companies come to us to show their new lines. Bet you didn’t know that most reps are men. I find it amusing to watch a 50 something guy holding up a pink uniform top with butterflies, but then I am easily amused. Anyway, sometimes I have a hard time focusing on my mission which is to buy the prettiest, most functional uniforms I can find. Am I buying for folks who may be cleaning up body fluids or am I buying casual clothing for someone who is having lunch out with her friends this afternoon? Do my customers really want little ruffled necklines and empire waistlines with big bows in the back? Do they want to have to iron those little ruffles and sashes? If they do, fine, but if I make the wrong decision, I may be looking at those frilly tops for a very long time in my store.

Down the road, I will be opening my blog for your comments, and I can’t wait to hear your thoughts on this subject. Most of you have been wearing uniforms much longer than I have, and I need all of the help I can get here. In the meantime, I’ll continue to have sleepless nights wondering if I should have ordered the see through disco uniform top or did I order uniforms that only my mother would wear? Thank goodness I’m not running the country. Everything would come to a screeching halt while I stewed over every decision. Until next time, swear on a bedpan that you will only buy your uniforms from ScrubsDirect.com.