Low rider pants on nurses

NYCRN16 · Dec 15, 2004

I wear low rise drawstring scrub pants like the ones in the picture and IMO they are MUCH more comfortable than the high waisted, elastic band tapered ankle pants which make even the skinniest person look huge! My underwear/belly/crack NEVER hang out, and if I do wear a fitted top (it gets so cold in the ED from the ambulence bay doors opening all the time that we wear fitted sweaters), I always have a scrub jacket over it so you cant even tell what I am wearing underneath. Those UGLY high waisted tapered pants fit me so bad, the crotch hangs down so low, it makes me look like 40 lbs heavier. However, when I was a student, we had to wear the school uniform and had no say in what we wore, and I would never dare come to school with my belly hanging out or anything like what some people describe the students come in with now. If I came to school like that I would be sent home pronto. (And I am only out of school 2 years)

Our managers dont really care what we wear as long as we are not showing skin and are wearing scrubs, and to tell you the truth all employers should be lucky enough that we are coming to work, instead of making us look frumpy and uncomfortable. I think strong perfume and heavily pierced faces is more offending than low rise pants IMO.

CHATSDALE · Dec 16, 2004

back in the olden days, i was working in an office...all the younger girls wore short skirts and hot pants....one dear older lady [she was probably younger than i am now, but i still see her as an old lady] anyway she was going through a midlife crisis or something because she started wearing the same thing as the younger girls...they were slim...she was not...she looked like someone had stuffed her in a sausage machine and she came out with big thighs showing'--office manager [a man] didn't know how to handle it...finally he issued a dress code and that got everybody back to the way it was...

goodknight · Dec 16, 2004

It's not the waist hight on pants that's unprofessional. it's how they are worn. If you stomach/butt doesn't show, Who cares? High wasted pants can be just as inappropriate if they are wrinkled or dirty.

Also, some people can't wear high waisted pants. I can't. My stomach swells daily and it hurts too bad to wear granny pants. But I would never wear anything that showed my stomach or back in a work or school setting. (probably not even in public) And i'm only 18.

zambezi, BSN, RN · Dec 16, 2004

I personally love the new low rider pants- i wouldn't wear anything else. I wear scrub tops with them so my skin (or the top of my pants) dosen't show. My pants fit well and don't look like i wear them lower. I don't see the problem. I also prefer the flared or at least straight/wide leg...in the long sizes. I can't stand for my socks to show and taped just dosen't flatter me. I prefer to work in attire that I both look good and professional in. As others have mentioned, it is not the low-riders that are the problem, it is what and how they are worn...

sarah_bellum · Jun 7, 2005

I have just returned to wearing scrubs and was amazed by these "short scub tops" and low rider pants by dickies.

This is a job not a rave.

I will admit, I did order "flared pants" I am on the big side and flared pants are more flattering to me but I would be mortified to have a dunlap at work!

dunlap-stomach done lapped over her pants

**RosesrReder, BSN, MSN, RN** · Jun 7, 2005

I don't think low riders have any place in the nursing "uniforms" we've already seen some pretty unprofessional attire with some of the scrubs, and sweatpants I've seen. And I feel that some, not all, of the nursing students are way out of line with their attire to their clinicals....I had one student show up in the clinic for her rotation in white low riding capri jeans, with a leopard print thong that came above her low riders every time she squatted down or bent over, and a midriff t-shirt that of course showed her belly button & clog style tennis shoes....all I know is, if I had shown up dressed like that when I was in nursing school, I would have probably been kicked out of the program. Seems like that's how things get started though, one person wears low riders and has everything covered, and then the next person comes along and "it just ain't right", but they are allowed because the other person got to....and it just goes on and on and on.

Yikes! Definetly not appropriate. :no:

I have seen similar myself and especially now that the weather is increasingly hot. I just think that a situation like the example mentioned above is way disrespectful for the occasion, in this case (nursing clinicals or nursing period).

Jessica

cassilee30 · Jun 8, 2005

[quote=Celiabs

It's one thing to stand at a bar wearing them, or accept a Grammy wearing them. But in a nursing setting...?

I don't see how low rider pants are synomous with inappropriate dress. I wear low rider scrub pants because I have stomach problems and anything that puts pressure on my stomach causes pain. However, I also wear my scrub top so it is not tucked in and covers to my hips at least. you never see skin showing. I also wear thongs, but they are skin colored. I can NOT stand other types of underwear. I also make sure they don't show above my pants.

I agree that thongs showing or mid drift clothing is unprofessional, but just because pants are low rider does not mean they are slutty.

just my opinion.

cassi

**RosesrReder, BSN, MSN, RN** · Jun 8, 2005

I don't see how low rider pants are synomous with inappropriate dress. I wear low rider scrub pants because I have stomach problems and anything that puts pressure on my stomach causes pain. However, I also wear my scrub top so it is not tucked in and covers to my hips at least. you never see skin showing. I also wear thongs, but they are skin colored. I can NOT stand other types of underwear. I also make sure they don't show above my pants.
I agree that thongs showing or mid drift clothing is unprofessional, but just because pants are low rider does not mean they are slutty.
just my opinion.
cassi

Hi Cassi,

I believe to what everyone else is referring to is to those who do wear the lowriders and show their skin. Just like the example provided in which the clinical student was obviously not dressed appropriately. NOT, like those who wear them normally like you :)

Most are just expressing their opinion on how dressing that way (showing belly/skin........is not cute). It may be in the club or bar like someone else said, but definetely not at work or school. Nobody goes to either place to see that. Anyhow, to each its own. We are all diferent people and have different valid views

Take care

Jessica

imenid37 · Jun 8, 2005

I'm old (I guess) and low rider pants are not my thing. As long as the top is long enough to cover the belly, the thong, etc. it's not a problem (IMHO). I wouldn't be comfortable in those kind of clothes, but that's me. If skin is poking out then YUK all the way, but otherwise who cares! The problem is there are a few rare people who totally lack discretion. When I was a young nurse/nursing student 15-20 years ago, we had people who wore tight pants, bright bikini undies which showed through white pants, low cut tops, or worst of all (and we still have this one) dirty whites or scrubs or grossly malfitting clothes. I remember several "older" nurses who liked to wear their white dresses a little too short! Talk to those who are inapproriate. We shouldn't pick on those who are wearing current fashion if it is neat and in good taste. God only knows we pick on one another for a host of other things.

JaimeeG · Jun 8, 2005

There is a younger nurse on my floor who works nights. When she came in to get report the other night, I had to do a double take. She had on low-waist pants and a tank top with an unbuttoned scrub jacket over the tank top. About three inches of belly was showing, and it's definitely NOT a belly that should be showing, even under non-work circumstances.

Belly showing on a nurse = TACKY.

If you wear the low-waist pants and no skin is showing, it shouldn't matter. Just be professional :)

Jaimee

student4ever · Jun 8, 2005

I don't see how low rider pants are synomous with inappropriate dress. I wear low rider scrub pants because I have stomach problems and anything that puts pressure on my stomach causes pain. However, I also wear my scrub top so it is not tucked in and covers to my hips at least. you never see skin showing. I also wear thongs, but they are skin colored. I can NOT stand other types of underwear. I also make sure they don't show above my pants.
I agree that thongs showing or mid drift clothing is unprofessional, but just because pants are low rider does not mean they are slutty.
just my opinion.
cassi

Cassi, I totally agree with you. I guess I grew up in the whole "low rise craze." I haven't worn a pair of pants that came to my belly button since I was probably 10 years old, and to me, they're VERY uncomfortable. It feels like someone's cutting my lungs in half! Now, I have NEVER worn the type of pants that goes below my hip bones - personally, the paris hilton look in pants is disgusting. Of course, you have to have a ZERO butt to make that work, and I most definetly DON'T have a zero butt! IMHO, I think that scrub tops should not be tucked into the pants. I think it looks tacky to see the waistband of a pair of drawstring pants, and in my opinion, elastic waistbands should be outlawed along with tapered leg or OH GOD, KNIT CUFF PANTS LEGS!!!! I think tapered legs or the ones that have the knit cuff on the bottom make women look like their hips are ten tons wide, no matter how skinny their hips/thighs actually are. Not to mention, who really wants to see the tops of your socks??? Ewwww! The tops of my socks and shoes have not been shown to the public in ten years, thank god! That's why the flare leg/boot cut pants are great! Not to mention, if someone vomits on your feet, there's much less of your shoe exposed! Less cleaning - scrubs are much easier to wash than shoes, and I for one don't want ANY body fluids having access to the space between my shoe and my foot!

I always wear low rise drawstring pants - for comfort, as well as the fact that they just look better. And I always have a scrub top on that comes down far enough that it totally covers the top of the pants, with room to spare. When I buy a new pair of pants or top, I do the "bend test." I put them on, touch my toes, and check to make sure that no matter where I bend, how far I raise my arms, nothing is going to show. I also wear fitted tank tops that are longer than the top of my pants underneath the scrub top so that just in case, I have something else to protect my skin from public view. Personally, the new types of scrubs are cute and very professional. Those shapeless, solid color scrubs are a big turnoff, and are usually worn too large. I'm a big fan of the bright, bold prints - they usually get compliments from the patients, and help cheer up the cold, sterile feel of the hospital. I'm not a fan of the cartoony scrubs though, unless it's on peds. If there's not a child being comforted by his nurse who's wearing sponge bob, there's no reason for sponge bob to be on the nurse. Just my opinion - i think they look too much like pjs!

Nurse Hatchett · Jun 8, 2005

I don't think it's the low rise scrub pants that is the problem, it is the wearer who is trying to pretend he/she is going out for a night on the town. I personally like the low rise, flare leg pant because they are more comfortable for me. I also wear a scrub shirt that covers the low rise part. There isn't anyone at work that knows they are low rise, unless they have some and can relate d/t the flare legs.

It's to bad a couple people can ruin it for everyone. I particulary love the ones who wear the low rise pants and don't wear a scrub shirt, just some tight to short shirt. We are taking care of people, not going to a fashion show. Looks very tacky and unprofessional. I think family members don't hold them in aprofessional light either. I have seen them many times bypass a nurse who looks unprofessional and speak to one who looks professional