Are colors consistant across all brands of scrubs?

caliotter3 · May 7, 2011

The only way to find out is to order from the two different sources and see what you get, or buy them in a store where you can compare right then and there. I would not count on it, because I have been in a store and compared uniforms to find different shades one time (interestingly enough I remember them being the wine color). Different dye lots, even for the same company brand, can produce different results.

Double-Helix, BSN, RN · May 7, 2011

From my experience, no. The shades vary quite a bit in part because of the dye color and in part because of the different fabric. Even common colors like navy and brown can be different shades. I always do into a scrub store to try on and look at the different brands of scrubs before I by. This helps because the sizes can be different too. I've learned that there is a big difference between smalls!

That being said, I really hope yours match!!!

anzean_rn · May 7, 2011

I was actually wondering this very thing a few weeks ago. I ordered navy colored scrub top and bottom from two different brands online and and they did turn out to be the same color. I think it's supposed to be pretty standard to keep the colors exact (or very close) because I'm sure a lot of health care professionals do exactly what we are doing!

wishfulthinking21059 · May 7, 2011

Then again...I guess no one's going to be like...

*points in disgust* "For the love of God, your pants are darker than your shirt"

I'm ordering all dark colors though...except for the brown which might be noticable.

Thanks everyone.

Double-Helix, BSN, RN · May 7, 2011

Then again...I guess no one's going to be like...
*points in disgust* "For the love of God, your pants are darker than your shirt"
I'm ordering all dark colors though...except for the brown which might be noticable.
Thanks everyone.

Haha! You're right! Thank you for making me laugh.

If it bothers you, try wearing a long camisole or tank top underneath to create a layered look. It will break up the top and bottom so the color difference isn't really noticable. :)

punkydoodlesRN, BSN, RN · May 7, 2011

I would guess and say that they will definitely be different!!! :) I have to wear red and navy and every single top and bottom I own are different shades!!

CaregiverGrace · May 7, 2011

They are different shades, and I've actually had it pointed out to me before on the floor! :) I really like one brand of pants, and another brand of tops. So what I ended up doing is getting the tops I like with their matching pants, and having the pants altered. Consistency across brands would be great tho..

azhiker96, BSN, RN · May 7, 2011

Even if they are close at first, different brands fade at different rates and can end up looking quite different. Good luck.

tokmom, BSN, RN · May 8, 2011

Keep us posted. I wonder the same

Chin up · May 8, 2011

Different brands with the same colors, usually have a different tone. And if the texture is different, almost certainly the tone will be off. Some more than others, but noticeable just the same. You can always use contrasting tops if the color is way off. You can wear a white top with the burgundy or a blue/ or green top with the brown pants. You then pull colors together with a printed jacket. I ussed to wear contrasting uniforms, on purpose. I felt more put together that way Anyway, if you don't mind the shade being off, then go for it.

Come to think of it, I have seen different tones, within the same brand. Black comes to mind. Sometimes it is more charcoal than deep. Good luck. Peace!

MangoGirl · Aug 17, 2015

If it bothers you, try wearing a long camisole or tank top underneath to create a layered look. It will break up the top and bottom so the color difference isn't really noticable. :)

I know this is an old thread, but I've got a new position and a specific color I must wear (caribbean blue). I am having the same problem with matching that specific color between different brands. I've got tops that lean towards tealish-blue and pants that are so dark they are dark teal or almost forest green. But I wondered about the suggestion above. Do people wear a layered top that hangs out of (below) their scrub top? I wouldn't have even considered that; it seems like a sloppy look. Whenever I wear a long-sleeved t-shirt, I tuck it into my scrub pants. Do people wear an undershirt or camisole hanging out?