Alteration of Scrub Uniform?

Nurses Uniform/Gear

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I just purchased my clinical uniform for the Fall. This is the required top: http://www.allheart.com/ck2878.html

The issue is, the small size is too tight in the bust area so I purchased the medium. The medium feels too baggy and I look so frumpy in it. Have you guys ever tailored a scrub top such as this one to make it a better fit tailored to your body? Also, since I'm short, the medium size feels like it's too long on me.

Do you think a seamstress is able to "take it in", and also to shorten it, maybe cut off a little on the bottom and then stitch the bottom to make it look like it was untouched?

I feel so disappointed after getting my uniform and seeing how badly it fits and how bad I look in it.

Does anyone have any advice or experience with taking their uniforms to a tailor/seamstress, or know how far a seamstress is able to alter an article of clothing?

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does anyone have any advice or experience with taking their uniforms to a tailor/seamstress, or know how far a seamstress is able to alter an article of clothing?

I was a seamstress at a dry cleaners for many years in a former life before nursing......i don't see why it couldn't be altered to fit you so that you're comfortable in it. check with local dry cleaners, they usually have a seamstress on staff. you're not asking for a complete makeover, just altered to fit. believe me, i had many more outrageous requests when i was sewing for the public!

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I have had my tops and bottoms altered to fit!

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I take my own scrubs in/alter them myself. I'm short too and even the short scrub pants can be too long on me :( I have been sewing for a really long time so I'm at a loss how to explain it to you. Pants would be easier to explain than the shirt but both are do-able. Definitely talk to a seamstress cause I wouldn't start sewing on a uniform for school. Hope this helps.

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Yep. I am having it done right now. I've lost over 50 lbs since starting my program and I went back to the uniform/embroidery shop where I bought them. I was going to buy a new jacket and have them move my patches. The owner was so so sweet - this is my last semester and she didn't want me to spend the money, so they are altering both my scrub jackets for me for just $12! Saved me $40!!

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Specializes in CCRN, ED, Unit Manager.

this is a secret brag topic

"I'm too small for a medium, but my breasts are so large they can't fit in a small. Woe is me!"

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I just re-read your post and well if you are worried about looking "frumpy" in your uniform, fear not, not one person will care if you do. They will care if you are cleanly and modestly dressed, and performing your skills appropriately. Clinicals aren't a fashion show.

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Specializes in Gerontology, Med surg, Home Health.

There are many patterns available so you could sew your own. When I wore scrubs, I sewed all my own...I had one for every holiday, too.

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Specializes in ORTHOPAEDICS-CERTIFIED SINCE 89.

One caution. Don't add stuff that will be out of character for the standard student uniform. By that I mean pockets that others don't have, slits up the sides at the hips, different fasteners...you get the picture. A take in at the waist or a gusset under the arm isn't noticeable. Good luck.

By the way that is a classy looking uniform.

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\ said:
this is a secret brag topic

"I'm too small for a medium, but my breasts are so large they can't fit in a small. Woe is me!"

Yikes, jealous much? For what it's worth, there are lots of us with this problem. Just last week, I spent half an hour debating between small and medium uniform scrub tops because small fit my torso but was not roomy enough in the bust, and medium looks like a ciel blue tent, it's so baggy. I decided that to go with the medium and hope they shrink a bit in the wash. Not bragging, but it's not easy to find stuff that fits when one is built like a true hourglass.

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By all means, please have your scrubs altered. There is nothing wrong with wanting to be comfortable while doing physical work & looking your best for your patients & colleagues - & yourself!

It's just plain gross when I see nurses with their scrub pants dragging on the floor (we all know the hospital floor is the dirtiest place on earth *gag*) or scrub tops so big their wrinkled boobage pops out.

It always cracks me up when a [certain] nurse is complaining about how she isn't treated professionally yet visible ink stains are all over her ripped scrub pockets & the bottoms of her scrub pants are ripped in shreds, threads trailing behind her every step. Appearance matters, people, whether we like it or not!

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Specializes in PICU, Sedation/Radiology, PACU.
Bk11223 said:
I just re-read your post and well if you are worried about looking "frumpy" in your uniform, fear not, not one person will care if you do. They will care if you are cleanly and modestly dressed, and performing your skills appropriately. Clinicals aren't a fashion show.

I disagree. In nursing school especially, nursing students are expected to look as professional as possible. Some schools even go so far as to send students home from clinical if they don't have 100% white shoes, or their uniform is dirty/wrinkled, etc. I have no doubt that in some nursing programs, wearing an ill-fitting uniform would be considered quite unacceptable- by the nursing school staff, no less.

OP, a good seamstress can alter just about anything. I could definitely not sew my own uniform, or alter it in any way that would make it look professionally done, so I definitely suggest bringing your uniform to either a professional or a friend/family who is talented with a sewing machine. Just take the uniform in with you and they will fit it for your body and make it look great!

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