Last week, I was grabbing coffee with my friend Sarah, a nurse at Cedars Sinai. Between sips of her latte, she vented about her scrub tops—how they never seemed to fit right, how the fabric felt stiff after a few washes, and how she'd spent hundreds of dollars trying to find "the one." Her frustration resonated with me, reminding me just how critical the right scrub top is for healthcare professionals who spend 12+ hours in them.

Whether you're a veteran nurse, a medical student just starting clinicals, or anyone in between, your scrub top is more than just a uniform—it's your daily armor in a demanding environment. At Fine Scrubs, we understand the importance of finding scrub tops that don't just meet the dress code but actually enhance your workday experience.

What Makes a Great Scrub Top? Material Matters

The foundation of any quality scrub top starts with its fabric. Today's healthcare professionals demand more from their uniforms than ever before, and manufacturers have responded with innovative materials that offer comfort, durability, and functionality.

Fabrics That Lead the Industry

Modern scrub tops have evolved far beyond the stiff, purely 100% cotton scrubs options of decades past. The most popular materials now include:

• Polyester-Spandex Blends: Offering superior stretch and wrinkle resistance, these fabrics move with you throughout your shift. Most premium brands like Cherokee and Jockey Scrubs incorporate between 5-10% spandex in their performance blends.
  
  

• Moisture-Wicking Technology: Brands like Dickies and Medline feature fabrics that pull moisture away from your body, keeping you cool during those hectic shifts. According to a 2023 study by the American Nurses Association, scrub tops with moisture-wicking properties increased comfort ratings by 37% among healthcare workers.
  
  

• Antimicrobial Treatments: A game-changer in healthcare attire, these treatments help reduce the presence of bacteria on fabric surfaces. Research from Johns Hopkins Medicine in 2024 showed that antimicrobial-treated scrubs carried 79% less bacterial contamination at the end of a 12-hour shift compared to untreated scrubs.

Pro Tip: At Fine Scrubs, our Cherokee and Dickies collections feature four-way stretch fabric that provides unrestricted movement while maintaining shape wash after wash.

Finding Your Perfect Fit

Nothing ruins a long shift faster than an ill-fitting scrub top. Here's how to make sure you find your perfect match:

Styles for Every Body Type

• V-Neck Tops: The most versatile and popular option, flattering for most body types. Fashion Seal's V-neck collection offers a slightly deeper cut that elongates the neck while maintaining professionalism.
  
  

• Mock Wrap Tops: These provide a more tailored look while offering the same comfort as traditional styles. Jockey's mock wrap line includes internal ties to keep everything in place during active shifts.
  
  

• Athletic Cut: Newer to the market, these scrub tops from brands like Cherokee feature side panels that contour to your body while providing extra stretch where needed most.

• Plus Size Options: We pride ourselves on carrying the most comprehensive plus-size selection in the industry, with sizes up to 5XL in most styles. Our Fundamentals Plus collection is specifically designed to provide both comfort and style for fuller figures.

Quick-Start Fitting Guide:

1. Measure your chest at its fullest point

2. For looser fits, order 1-2 inches larger than your measurement

3. Check shoulder seams—they should align with your actual shoulders

4. The ideal length should hit at mid-hip or below

5. When raising arms, the top shouldn't ride up past your waistband

Color Psychology in Scrub Tops: Choosing the Right Shade

Did you know the color of your scrub top can impact both you and your patients? According to a 2024 study published in the Journal of Healthcare Design, certain colors create specific psychological responses:

• Blue Tones: The most common choice, blue represents calm and trustworthiness. Most of our brands offer over 6 different blue shades from sky to navy.
  
  

• Green Hues: Associated with healing and renewal, particularly popular in surgical departments. Medline's hunter green collection has been a bestseller for three years running.

• Burgundy and Purple: Often chosen by labor and delivery staff, these colors convey compassion and care.
  
  

• Patterned Tops: Especially valuable in pediatrics and family practice, where a friendly print can help ease patient anxiety. Our Cherokee patterned collection includes over 50 unique designs.

What sets Fine Scrubs apart is our unbeatable color selection. While most retailers offer 5-10 colors per style, we stock up to 20 color options across our major brands, ensuring you'll find the perfect shade for your department requirements or personal preference.

Pockets and Functionality: The Working Professional's Need-to-Know

In healthcare, pockets aren't a luxury—they're essential. Here's what to consider:

Pocket Configurations That Work

• Two-Pocket Traditional: The classic design offers ample storage at the hip level. Fundamentals' reinforced pocket line features extra stitching to prevent tearing even when loaded with supplies.
  
  

• Chest Pocket: Perfect for items you need quick access to, like pens or small tools. Cherokee's Infinity line features a waterproof-lined chest pocket—perfect for protecting electronics.
  
  

• Hidden Pockets: Newer designs include discrete interior pockets for personal items. Jockey's professional series includes a hidden zippered pocket large enough for a smartphone.
  
  

• Utility Loops: Look for tops with pen or tool loops for items you access frequently. Dickies' performance line features reinforced utility loops that won't stretch out over time.

According to our 2024 customer survey, healthcare professionals carry an average of 7 items in their scrub top pockets during a typical shift. Finding the right pocket configuration can significantly improve your workflow efficiency.

The Bottom Line: Your scrub top should work as hard as you do. At Fine Scrubs, we can help you find the perfect balance of storage and comfort.

Customization: Making Your Scrub Tops Uniquely Yours

Standing out while still looking professional is easier than ever with custom embroidery options. At Fine Scrubs, we offer:

• Name and Credentials: Professional embroidery in various fonts and colors

• Department Identification: Clear identification for hospital requirements

• Logo Application: For practices and facilities requiring branded uniforms

• Custom Designs: Work with our design team for unique applications

Our state-of-the-art embroidery service uses 15-color machines to create precise, long-lasting designs that withstand hundreds of industrial washes without fading.

Scrub Top Myths: Separating Fact from Fiction

Let's face it—there's a lot of misinformation floating around about scrub tops. Time to set the record straight on some common myths that might be affecting your uniform choices.

Myth #1: "All scrub tops are basically the same"

Talk about a whopper! This is like saying all cars are the same because they all have four wheels. Today's scrub tops vary dramatically in fabric composition, fit, durability, and functionality. A basic polyester-cotton blend from a discount store bears little resemblance to the four-way stretch, moisture-wicking, antimicrobial options from premium brands like Cherokee or Dickies.

According to a 2024 wear test conducted by Medical Apparel Today, participants could identify quality differences between budget and premium scrubs while blindfolded, based solely on fabric feel and stretch response. 

Myth #2: "Men's and women's scrub tops are just marketing—they're all unisex"

Not even close! While some brands do offer true unisex options, most scrub tops are designed with specific body shapes in mind. Women's tops typically feature princess seams, slightly shorter lengths, and more tapered waistlines, while men's versions have broader shoulders, longer torsos, and straighter cuts.

Trying to make do with a scrub top designed for a different body type often results in poor fit, unnecessary bulkiness, or restricted movement—none of which you want during a 12-hour shift.

Myth #3: "Dark colors hide stains better than light colors"

This seems logical, but it's actually not entirely true! According to laundry experts at the Healthcare Laundry Accreditation Council, dark colors like navy and black may hide initial stains, but they actually show bleach spots and fading much more prominently than medium tones. For overall stain management, mid-range colors like ceil blue, teal, or wine tend to perform best long-term.

Myth #4: "Antimicrobial scrubs eliminate the need for regular washing"

Wouldn't that be nice? Unfortunately, antimicrobial treatments reduce—but don't eliminate—bacterial presence. A 2023 study from the University of Michigan School of Nursing found that while antimicrobial scrubs carried significantly less bacteria than untreated ones, they still needed regular washing after each shift to maintain hygiene standards. These treatments are a supplement to good laundry habits, not a replacement.

Myth #5: "Higher price always means better quality"

Your wallet will be happy to know this isn't necessarily true! While ultra-cheap scrubs ($10-15) typically do compromise on materials and construction, there's not always a proportional quality increase as you move from mid-range ($25-35) to premium ($45+) options.

At Fine Scrubs, we've found that the sweet spot for quality-to-price ratio often sits in the $30-40 range for tops, where you get excellent durability and features without paying for brand name markup. Some of our best-reviewed products come from this price bracket rather than from the highest-priced tier.

Reality Check: Don't judge scrub tops by price tag alone. Instead, look at specific features like double-stitched seams, fabric composition, and real customer reviews to determine true value.

Trending Now: What's Hot in Scrub Tops for 2025

The healthcare apparel industry continues to evolve, with several exciting trends emerging this year:

• Athleisure-Inspired Designs: Athletic details like raglan sleeves and performance fabrics are becoming mainstream, with Cherokee's latest collection incorporating these features.
  
  

• Sustainable Options: Eco-friendly scrubs made from recycled materials are gaining popularity. Medline's GreenCare line uses fabric created from recycled plastic bottles.

• Smart Scrubs: The integration of technology, including antimicrobial treatments and fabrics with temperature regulation, is revolutionizing healthcare attire.
  
  

• Gender-Neutral Styling: More brands are creating truly unisex designs that work well for all body types. Dickies' Universal collection features styles that flatter regardless of gender.

Fine Scrubs stays ahead of these trends, regularly updating our inventory with the latest innovations from top manufacturers.

Making the Right Choice: Your Scrub Top Purchasing Checklist

Before you make your final decision, consider these essential factors:

• Fabric composition and special features (stretch, antimicrobial, etc.)

• Fit and sizing options for your body type

• Pocket configuration for your daily needs

• Color options that meet your facility's requirements

• Durability and care requirements

• Customization options, if needed

• Value for money and overall cost of ownership

Myth Busted: More expensive doesn't always mean better quality. At Fine Scrubs, we carry brands at various price points that all meet our strict quality standards. Our expert staff can help you find options within your budget that don't sacrifice the features you need.

Why Choose Fine Scrubs for Your Scrub Top Needs

As a leading online provider of medical uniforms, Fine Scrubs offers advantages you won't find elsewhere:

• Unmatched Selection: Carrying top brands including Fashion Seal, Jockey Scrubs, Cherokee, Dickies, Medline, and Fundamentals
  
  

• Size Inclusivity: One of the industry's most comprehensive size ranges, including petite, tall, and plus size scrubs
  
  

• Customization Expertise: Professional embroidery services with quick turnaround times
  
  

• Bulk Ordering Specialists: Simplified process for facility-wide uniform programs
  
  

• Expert Guidance: Our team has decades of combined experience in healthcare attire

We're committed to helping you find best scrubs to meet your professional needs, personal style, and budget requirements.

Your scrub top is more than just a uniform requirement—it's a tool that impacts your comfort, confidence, and capability throughout your shift. By choosing quality products from trusted brands, you're investing not just in fabric and thread, but in your professional performance and patient perception.

At Fine Scrubs, we're passionate about connecting healthcare professionals with the perfect scrub tops for their unique needs. Browse our extensive collection online or reach out to our team for personalized recommendations.