Dressing for Success: Professional Attire and Layering for Fall Comfort
As hot summer days transition into cool autumn afternoons, you’ll need to update your work wardrobe. Now, your focus must shift from staying cool to comfort in ever-changing temperatures. With its beautiful red, orange, and yellow palette, Autumn ushers in chilly mornings, warm days, and cool evenings. The changing temperatures are a lovely reprieve from the oppressive summer heat but create a challenge in choosing the best workwear. No worries, though. We’ve got you covered with this guide to layering for fall comfort!
PROFESSIONAL DRESS IN HEALTHCARE
Your scrub choice sends a powerful message. They’re more than just a uniform; they’re a reflection of your professionalism and care. How you present yourself impacts how others perceive you, including patients, colleagues, and supervisors. By selecting scrubs that exude confidence and competence, you contribute to a positive and reassuring environment for everyone.
The two most important aspects of your workwear are professionalism and comfort. You must be perceived well, but you must also be able to move freely and maintain a comfortable temperature throughout your shift. Your scrubs should keep you warm during early morning hours as you start or end your shift but not leave you sweating during the height of the day.
With its fluctuating temperatures, Autumn poses a challenge in this area, but Scrub Pro has the answer.
LAYERING SCRUBS FOR FALL
Staying comfortable throughout the fall season starts with a solid base layer. If you work up a sweat during the warm midday, a moisture-wicking underlayer will keep you from getting chilly when temperatures drop in the evening. If you’re expecting cooler temperatures, choose a long-sleeve base layer such as this one from Flexibilitee. On warmer days, a short-sleeved base layer will do. Whichever you choose, ensure it fits close to the body but isn’t tight enough to cause discomfort.
Medical sleeves are for you if you tend to overheat or are bothered by the feeling of a base layer. These Prestige medical sleeves are designed to keep your arms warm and protected but easily slide on and off like socks. You’ll look like you’re wearing a base layer but won’t have to undress for removal.
KEEP IT NATURAL
When choosing scrubs for fall, natural fibers are best. The breathability of materials such as cotton helps you maintain a comfortable body temperature under varying conditions. Most scrubs are created using a fiber blend, so look for uniforms with a high percentage of cotton. These Carhartt men’s scrubs are 55% cotton and available in various styles and colors. They’re a perfect blend of durability and comfort.
STYLISH FALL COLORS FOR SCRUBS
While autumn layers lend themselves to a colorful palette, maintaining your professional image is essential. Choose scrubs that match well, and avoid adding too many contrasting accessories. As a rule of thumb, stick with one primary color palette, likely dictated by your organization, and add up to two complementary colors using your base layers or accessories.
If you have the freedom to choose your scrub colors, Scrub Pro’s new Fall Scrub Collection is perfect. You’ll find dark purple, wine-colored, eggplant-colored, hunter-green, and dark green scrubs there. The Autumn color palette and themed prints are ideal for the upcoming season!
If you’re permitted to wear prints like this top from Meraki Sport, build your complementary color palette from the design. If you’re required to wear a solid, some jazzy socks or a print undershirt can add charm without compromising your professionalism.
FUNCTIONAL ACCESSORIES FOR HEALTHCARE WORKERS
While you must maintain an official appearance daily, accessories can add fun to your uniform.
Most uniforms require the addition of either a badge reel or lanyard. Why not choose one that expresses your personality? Prestige has created a line of retractable reels that allow you some expression while not stepping too far out of the box. The RN, CNA, and healthcare-themed reels come in bright colors and expressive shapes. If you prefer a little more flair, their Retractzee reels are available in brightly colored animal shapes, sure to make you smile.
Another great accessory to add to your uniform is compression socks. Not only are they a fun way to add print or color to your uniform, but they also work all shifts to keep you healthy. After hours of standing on your feet in standard socks, you’re likely heading home with swollen ankles and shoes that feel too tight. Pro-Motion Compression Socks prevent bothersome swelling, keeping your feet and ankles comfortable throughout your shift. Do you struggle to keep compression socks up? You’re not alone. That’s why Nurse Mates has created their new line of wide-calf expression socks, with all the same features and a plethora of designs.
Once you’ve picked out your favorite pair of compression socks, it’s time to add comfortable and supportive footwear. If you love clogs, choose from the variety of bright and funky patterns by StepZ, or go with one of the dozens of patterns available from Dansko. If you prefer a sneaker-style shoe, you’ll find a mixture of comfort and style in one of the many available Infinity athletic shoes.
From compression socks and specialty footwear to badge reels and lanyards, there’s no shortage of accessories available to add a little zing to your uniform. Keep your accessories simple for a professional look, and ensure they match your uniform. Take care not to overdo the add-ons, choosing just a few daily.
EFFECTIVE SCRUB LAYERING FOR COMFORT
While undergarments provide a protective barrier between your skin and scrubs, absorbing sweat and keeping you regulated, outerwear offers a means to stay warm without committing to a permanent layer throughout the day. Warm-up jackets, such as the Infinity Antimicrobial Warm-Up Jacket, perfectly match your uniform while keeping you warm and toasty, especially if your facility keeps the air conditioning flowing during fall. If warm-up jackets aren’t your thing, stay warm with a crisp, white lab coat like this one from Fundamentals. Choosing a warm-up jacket or lab coat, you’ll maintain a high level of professionalism and have the flexibility to don or doff your top layer, guaranteeing your comfort.
ADD A LITTLE TWIST
Standing out can be challenging, especially if everyone in your unit wears the same-colored scrubs. Adding a little flare with some stud earrings, a fashionable watch, or a nursing pin sets you apart. Remember that many organizations prohibit necklaces, dangling earrings, and other types of jewelry for safety.
CHOOSE EASILY MANAGED FABRICS
Like you, your uniform has a vital job to do. It’s tasked with keeping you comfortable while helping you express yourself in a professional setting. However, it also needs to be low-maintenance. Who has time for dry cleaning and complicated wash routines? Not a single healthcare worker, that’s who! So, choose scrubs and accessories that are easy to clean and only require standard detergent and your machine.
FALL SCRUB STYLES 2024
Fabulous Fall Finds for Men
Men, check out this Fall Scrubs Collection to find all the best colors and styles for this year! Still, trying to figure out where to start? How about this Carhartt pewter grey scrub top with these pewter scrub pants? This comfortable set pairs nicely with circulation-improving compression socks and a pair of supportive, lightweight shoes.
Want to accessorize? Check out these fall scrub caps in multiple colors to complement your uniforms perfectly!
Fabulous Fall Finds for Women
Scrub Pro carries tons of earthy-toned scrubs for Autumn, leaving you only to question which is your favorite. You might start with one of these wine-colored scrub tops from MedWorks Epic or some eggplant-colored nursing scrubs from Purple Label. Pair any autumn-inspired colors with a color-coordinated, long-sleeved tee and a fitted Urbane Performance Zip-Up Scrub Jacket for a polished look!
If you prefer scrubs with a print, check out the Hiss or Miss print scrub top by Infinity. This print is so sweet; it’ll last all year long!
Remember to accessorize with jazzy socks and supportive footwear to ensure you look great and stay energized throughout your shift.
SCRUB PRO Uniforms: Two Decades of Excellence
You need new scrubs, and Scrub Pro has them! Both online and in-store, you’ll find an unbeatable selection with fast shipping, hassle-free returns and exchanges, and unsurpassed customer service.
Shop online: Can’t make it to the store? Explore our entire collection from the comfort of your home at ScrubPro.com.
Tammy McKinney, a seasoned Registered Nurse, distinguished healthcare writer, and founder of HelpfulHospiceNurse.com, is committed to using her medical knowledge to educate, inform, and entertain healthcare workers and their patients. To connect with Tammy directly, check her out on LinkedIn.
