What to wear under scrubs

What you wear under your scrubs matters more than most people expect. It decides whether you feel sticky by mid-morning, whether a V-neck feels too open when you bend over a bed, and whether you shiver in a cold ICU at 3 a.m. A few simple choices make a long shift much easier.

Your hospital may have its own rules on what can show at the neck or sleeves, so follow your hospital’s uniform and infection-control policy first.

Start with the basics

Whatever else you add, these work for most people:

• Breathable underwear in cotton or a cotton blend. It handles sweat better than shiny synthetics in humid weather.
• A supportive, comfortable bra with no underwire digging in when you lift or lean. Many nurses prefer a soft sports bra for long shifts.
• Seamless or flat-seam pieces so nothing rubs under the drawstring or across the shoulders.
• Neutral colours such as skin tone, white or a shade close to your scrubs, so nothing shows through lighter colours like ceil blue.

A thin layer under the top

Many nurses wear a light vest or fitted T-shirt under the scrub top. It is useful when:

• you want more cover at the neck when bending forward,
• you work in strong air conditioning, such as ICU or theatre,
• you want sweat to stay off the scrub top on a hot day.

Choose something thin and close-fitting so it does not bunch. Short sleeves usually work best; long sleeves can be against some infection-control rules on bare-below-the-elbows, so check before wearing them on clinical duty.

Under the pant

Most people need nothing extra under scrub pants. If you work in very cold areas, thin leggings can help, but in Kerala’s heat they are usually unnecessary. Make sure underwear lines are not visible on lighter colours and that the waistband sits comfortably with the drawstring.

Dealing with heat and sweat

Kerala’s humidity is the main challenge. A few tips:

• Pick cotton-rich underlayers rather than heavy synthetics.
• Choose a scrub size with a little room; tight scrubs trap heat. If you are between two sizes, go for the larger.
• Keep a spare vest in your locker to change into after a busy morning.

Our post on staying cool in scrubs in the Kerala summer has more ideas.

Dealing with cold

In ICU, theatre and some night duties, air conditioning can be very cold. Rather than wearing a heavy jacket over your scrubs, a thin underlayer often keeps you warm enough and is easier to manage. Some hospitals allow a specific jacket; check with your nursing office. See also staying comfortable on night shifts.

What to avoid

• Bulky layers that make the scrub top tight or pull at the seams.
• Bright or patterned underlayers that show through.
• Anything that hangs loose at the wrists during patient care.
• Re-wearing underlayers across shifts; wash them with your scrubs.

Fit makes the difference

A good underlayer only works if the scrub on top fits. Our Women’s V-Neck Scrub Set is shaped at the waist with a moderate V, while the unisex round-neck set gives a higher neckline and a roomier cut.

In a nutshell

Breathable, neutral and close-fitting is the rule for anything under your scrubs. Add a thin layer for cover or cold, keep it light for heat, and make sure the scrubs themselves have a little room. Check the size chart to get that fit right before you order.