The sterile, white environment of a dental office might not scream fashion, but beneath the surface lies a world of thoughtful design choices. Dental uniforms, particularly tunics and scrubs, play a crucial role in both aesthetics and practicality, influenced by both fashion trends and the unique demands of the profession. Let's delve into this fascinating intersection, examining how these garments have evolved from a purely functional standpoint to incorporating elements of style, all while ensuring the safety and comfort of dental professionals.

From Humble Beginnings: The Rise of the Tunic

The history of dentistry uniforms is surprisingly rich. Early practitioners donned standard street clothes, offering little protection or hygiene. The iconic white coat, borrowed from lab scientists, became the norm, symbolizing cleanliness and professionalism. However, its restrictive nature led to the emergence of the dental tunic in the mid-20th century.

Fashion Forward: The Tunic's Transformation

Dental tunics offered a more comfortable and practical alternative. Its loose fit allowed for greater mobility, essential for the intricate procedures dentists perform. But it wasn't just about practicality. Fashion trends of the time, like tailored silhouettes and pops of colour, began to influence tunic designs. Think crisp cotton in pastel shades, cinched waists, and even embroidered details – a far cry from the stark white coats of the past.

The Rise of Scrubs: A Practical Revolution

The 1960s saw the introduction of dentist scrubs, originally worn by surgeons. Their loose-fitting, unisex design quickly gained popularity in dentistry due to their affordability, durability, and ease of laundering, crucial factors in a profession prone to spills and splatters.

Dental scrubs haven't been immune to fashion trends either. From vibrant colours and playful patterns to modern, tapered silhouettes, they offer a degree of self-expression. However, the need for functionality remains paramount. Fabrics must be breathable, moisture-wicking, and resistant to fluids and chemicals. Pockets are strategically placed for instruments, and closures are designed to be quick and easy to manage.

Balancing Style and Function

Fashion designers creating dental uniforms face a unique challenge: marrying aesthetics with the demands of a medical environment. They must consider fabric choices, ergonomic cuts, and details that enhance functionality without compromising style. Features like antimicrobial finishes, spill-resistant coatings, and hidden zippers become crucial design elements.

Beyond the Surface: The Impact of Uniforms on Patients and Professionals

The choice of uniform goes beyond just aesthetics. Studies suggest that well-designed uniforms can positively impact patients' perceptions of a dentist's professionalism and competence. For dental professionals, comfortable, functional uniforms contribute to reduced stress and fatigue, allowing them to focus on providing optimal care.

The Future of Dentistry Uniforms: Innovation and Sustainability

The future of the dentist uniform is likely to see continued innovation in fabrics, with a focus on sustainability and eco-friendly materials. We may also see advances in technology, like antimicrobial fabrics embedded with sensors or self-cleaning properties. However, the core principles of comfort, functionality, and a touch of style will undoubtedly remain at the heart of these essential garments.

The Final Smile

Dentistry uniforms are more than just white coats and scrubs. They represent a fascinating intersection of fashion and functionality, designed to create a safe, comfortable, and even stylish environment for both dental professionals and their patients. As the field continues to evolve, so too will its uniforms, reflecting the latest advancements in design, technology, and sustainability, all while staying true to their essential purpose: supporting the crucial work of dental care.

Scrubs Ultimate Guide

If you are new to Scrubs, it may seem like a minefield out there. Post-Covid a lot of you in the Medical, Care and Beauty industries who didn’t wear Scrubs before are now having to wear extra PPE to keep yourselves and your clients safe.

Whether you are new to buying Scrubs or you just need a refresh on what is available for yourself and your team, you may need some guidance on what is best for you, and what is available on the market.

Here at Work in Style, we have put together this Ultimate Scrubs Buying Guide. Taking you through all of your options, be that Style, Brand or material, we are here to help you make the best and most informed decision on your new Scrubs.

The main things you may want to take in to consideration when buying your Scrubs are;

• Fit
• Style
• Material
• Practicality
• Brand
• Personalisation

Below we will go in to detail on each of these points, but first let’s take a look at What Scrubs are and who wears them…

What are Scrubs?

Scrubs are clothing designed to be worn in the Medical industry and more specifically by those providing patient care, they are easy to wear and easy to wash garments which are designed to create a barrier between the person wearing the Scrubs and any hazardous substances/chemicals which they may come in to contact with. This greatly reduces risk of contamination and risk of infections.

This type of clothing became known as Scrubs as they are used in a sterile (scrubbed) environment

Scrubs have been worn by Surgeons in America for many years but have only recently become popular in the UK in the past 10-20 years, replacing the classic Tunic style we may be used to seeing in hospitals and on our TV screens. Since the Covid 19 pandemic we are seeing more and more Healthcare professionals wearing Scrubs for daily use.

Scrubs are a great tool in large hospital settings to separate staff from patient or to identify team members, Scrub top and Scrub bottoms come in many brands, colours and sizes which can be mixed and match for your perfect set, or to differentiate between job roles and departments.

Who wears Scrubs?

The NHS have been using Scrubs for the longest time but are now being joined by an array of professions, Healthcare and more;

Nurses – Scrubs are great for Nurses as they provide comfort and ease of movement on their long demanding shifts

Doctors – Great for Surgeons especially as the Scrubs can be washed at high temperatures to further prevent any risk of infection or spread of contaminants

Vets – Lots of our Scrubs have fabric technologies such as soil release and anti-static which makes it super easy to wipe off hair, fluff and dust and guarantees you won’t end your day covered in animal hair (although we suspect that does kind of come with the territory)

Dentists – Dentists love our Scrubs! Especially the antimicrobial and fluid barrier properties which repel unwanted fluids which may come flying their way!

Care workers – Traditionally seen in Tunics, Care workers are now making the move to Scrubs after seeing a greater focus on infection control (Post Covid)

Midwives – I think it goes without saying that a Midwife will want some serious barrier protection between themselves and their patient and Scrubs are perfect for this

Beauticians – A new player on the block, since Covid-19 the Beauty and hair industries have begun to take extra precautions to protect themselves and their customers by investing in Scrubs for their teams

Alternative therapists – Think Sports therapists, Physios, Reiki masters and Acupuncturist, there are dozens of  alternative therapists out there who now encourage wearing Scrubs for protection and comfort

Students – We supply scrubs to Nursing students all over the country who wear their very first set of Work in style Scrubs with pride!

What to take in to consideration when buying your first or next set of Scrubs;

Fit – Scrubs are designed to be comfortable and free flowing to make your life and job easier

When choosing your Scrub set you want to look at the pictures and the product descriptions to ensure you are choosing the right fit for you, maybe you want a nice big free flowing top so you will go for a size up in a Unisex top. Want something more fitted? Then you may choose a ladies top with rib knit panels which are more fitted to the body to accentuate shape and look more fashionable and flattering

Whilst most of our Scrub trousers are straight leg, we also have jogger style trousers which are designed to be extra comfortable and wrinkle free for easy care

We have men’s, Ladies and Unisex Scrubs available. And remember that all of our Men’s styles can be used as Unisex - Make sure you use our size guides and you should get the perfect fit every time (and if you don’t we offer free returns on all UK mainland orders)

Style

Your usual Scrub set will consist of a V neck scrub top with short dolman sleeves and Straight leg scrub trousers with either an elasticated or drawstring waist, however this can vary when looking at the more premium Scrub styles. Here’s a few examples of different styles of Scrub Tops and Bottoms;

V Neck

Mock Wrap Top

Drawstring waist Trousers

Elasticated waist Trousers

Material

Materials will vary throughout brands and ranges with some of our brands now using recycled materials made from plastic bottles; Barco One and Skechers Scrubs are saving billions of bottles from landfill every year with their recycled materials. Most of our Scrubs will be made with a mixture of Polyester and Cotton with spandex added for stretch.

A very important factor in Scrub materials are the fabric technologies used, all aimed at keeping your scrubs clean, stain resistant and extra comfortable, for instance;

2 or 4 way stretch fabric – Stretch fabric achieved with small amounts of spandex in the fabric, the slight stretch gives your Scrubs the perfect amount of stretch for the perfect fit and added comfort

Anti-microbial – Providing long lasting freshness and protection against bacteria. Antimicrobial fabric technologies inhibit the growth of bacteria, algae and yeast, minimize odours and stains and therefore prolong the useful life of your Scrub set

Fluid barrier – The fluid barrier technologies are designed to resists spills for long lasting protection and make your clothing more breathable and durable, this feature is especially fantastic for Dentists and Vets due to the nature of their work

Anti-static – The anti-static technologies in our Scrubs is particularly useful for Vets as it allows fluff, dust and hair to release quickly from the surface of the fabric

Soil release – Soil release is achieved with a chemical finish that helps to easily remove dirt from the garment, while soil release will not prevent dirt from touching your scrubs, it will make it super easy to wipe and wash away with no special laundering needed.

Practicality (pockets, panels, technologies)

Whilst looking and feeling good in your Scrubs is great, the practicality of them is the most important factor, and Scrubs sure are practical!

You’ve already read about their many uses throughout an array of professions, Medical and not, you’ve read about their unique materials and fabric technologies which will keep you clean and safe at work, and you’ve read about the great range of fits, styles and sizes for all body types, but let’s delve a little deeper here in to the small details which make Scrubs the perfect choice for Healthcare professionals and more.

All of our Scrubs come with pockets, I doubt you have ever done a shift where you haven’t been over encumbered with utensils, don’t worry, Work in Style have your back, with chest pockets, pen slots and Patch pockets and media loops on our Scrub tops. Our Scrub trousers are bursting at the seams with pockets and storage options – Back pockets, front pockets, Cargo pockets, hidden zipper pockets, media loops and more. Check out the descriptions on our product pages to see exactly what pocket and storage options each Scrub Top and Bottoms have.

Many of our Scrubs have side vents and panels which create extra space and movement in your Scrub sets, this extra ease of movement is so valuable on long hectic shifts, the comfortableness of our Scrubs is one of their most important features!

Brands

We sell a range of Scrub brands here at Work in Style, maybe you already have a favourite Scrub brand or maybe you’ll see a trusted brand name here which you recognise.

Skechers – Famous for footwear, but they do plenty more! Skechers Scrubs have already taken the US by storm and are now coming for the UK with sportswear inspired fabrics and fashionable yet comfortable designs.

Barco One – Premium Scrubs for the modern healthcare professional, using the latest technologies and ultra-soft and comfortable fabrics

Cherokee – The number one player in the Scrubs industry, we have been stocking Cherokee for many years and have hundreds of customers who are converted for life

Dickies – A trusted workwear brand, you may think of workwear trousers when you think of Dickies, but we can assure you their Scrubs brand are just as robust and durable as the workwear they are known for

Work in style – Our very own Scrubs and where it all started, we pride ourselves on classic and affordable Scrub sets, worn by hundreds of thousands of Healthcare professionals across the UK!

Personalisation

Want to take your Scrubs to the next level? Get them personalised with your name, job title and/or company logo. We can offer embroideryon almost all of our Scrub tops and we like to think we have made the process as easy as possible.

You can add embroidery to your basket when placing your order, and then a simple email over to us to get your embroidery design set up before we add the embroidery in house.

We have received fantastic feedback from our existing customers on our embroideries, it really adds a unique flare to your uniforms and is also great for big teams with different job roles, take a look at some examples of what we have already done below;

@clareogradyholistictherapies

@marginsonmedical

Conclusion

Scrubs are the best choice for comfortable and practical healthcare, with their fabric technologies to keep you and your patients safe, plenty of colours and sizes to kit out your whole team, and a whole array of options to personalise your Scrubs. Order from our Scrubs range today, and don’t forget we offer free UK delivery on orders over £75 and free returns for our UK mainland customers

ORDER YOUR NEW FAVOURITE SCRUBS NOW

Back in 2006 Barco Uniforms collaborated with ABC to produce medical scrubs inspired by the popular Grey’s Anatomy TV show, and from this collaboration came what are now some of the most popular Scrubs/Workwear worn by Healthcare Professional across the globe. With Tailored flattering fits, premium fabrics and finer designer details, there’s many reasons why Grey’s Anatomy by Barco is a uniform favourite throughout the healthcare profession, and the top 4 reasons are;

Fashion – These Scrubs are made to be fashionable, and especially curated with healthcare professionals in mind

Fit – Comfort is always one of the top priorities of the Barco brand when designing their Scrub ranges, and Grey’s Anatomy by Barco is no different, made with stretchy and soft materials with lots of added extras for ultimate comfort; elasticated waists, V neck cuts and more

Fabric – The Grey’s Anatomy Scrubs range is ready for anything your job may throw at you, with an unbelievable array of Fabric technologies and features to keep you clean, cool and comfortable on any shift and easy care made to be durable through many washes. Spandex Stretch Moisture wicking Wrinkle free Soil release Soft hand

Function – Any Healthcare professionals’ main concern when buying uniforms is that they function properly on the job, take another look at all of the above points and you can see that these Scrubs are more than fit for purpose and function

Fashion, Fit and Fabric lead to the perfectly functioning Scrubs for all!

We are starting our Greys Anatomy by Barco collection with 4 staple items, 2 tops and 2 trousers;

Emma Scrub Top

Kim Scrub Pants

The Emma Top and Kim Scrub pants are from the Grey’s Anatomy by Barco Spandex Stretch range, made with a 4 way stretch fabric, designed to shape and flatter all body types whilst creating an ultra-comfortable feel

Evan Scrub Top

Evan Scrub Pants

The Evan Scrub set from the Grey’s Anatomy by Barco Classic range; like to keep is simple and classy? Then these Scrubs are for you. Still loaded with all the fantastic fabric features like moisture wicking and soil release

We hope you love the Grey’s Anatomy by Barco Scrubs as much as we do, and if you do we will be adding more to the collection soon! Here at Work in Style we are proud to be partnered with Barco Uniforms, not only do we offer the fantastic Grey’s Anatomy by Barco range, we also have Barco One and Barco Essentials Scrubs on offer, and don’t forget that you can finish off your brand new Uniforms with personalised embroidery, be it a logo or just your name, this extra personalization adds flare to your look and boosts your professionalism on the job

Did you know that 91% of plastic end up in our Oceans? Scientists estimate that by 2050 the volume of plastic in the ocean will be more than the volume of fish, they also estimate that almost 100% of seabirds will have ingested plastic by this time. And this is just drop in the Ocean of the environmental impact that plastic is having on our planet and eco-systems. It’s no secret that something needs to be done, by our Governments, by big Corporations and by us.

At Work In Style we are constantly striving to improve our eco-footprint, scrubs are at the heart of what we do so recycled scrubs is something we are really passionate about – This is why we chose to stock Skechers Scrubs & Barco One Scrubs. Both scrub brands are made by globally recognised scrub manufacturers Barco, who are providing comfortable, sporty and recycled stylish scrubs.

Barco One and Skechers scrubs are made using recycled plastic bottles, stopping them from going to landfill and ending up in our Ocean's! The fabric, which contains recycled plastic, is called rPet fabric, rPet fabric is made by turning plastic bottles into plastic chips, this is then turned to fibres, into yarn, and lastly, into the fabric many of us are wearing today. Barco One Scrubs use 5 recycled plastic bottles in every garment! 1 scrub set will save 10 plastic bottles from landfill Skechers Scrubs have gone a couple of steps further and use 7 recycled plastic bottles in every garment, that's 14 in a Scrub set!

Using recycled plastics to make the fabrics does not equal a compromise in quality, Barco are one of the leaders of premium healthcare apparel in the Industry and the fabric boasts a great line-up of features including moisture wicking, 4 way stretch, thermo-regulation technology & quick shed technology. Skechers are in on the fabric technology action too with their scrubs featuring moisture wicking and soil release garments in their eco-friendly Skechers workwear.

Shop Recycled Scrubs Now

E&E Lab Coats is Work in Styles’ very own brand of high-quality lab coats for use in science and medicine. Beginning as Ashton Overalls, which was established in the early 60s in the small Derbyshire town of New Mills, in 1969 they became Eaton & Entwistle and because of demand on the business opened the second factory in Marple, manufacturing khaki coats & overalls under contract for the MOD & PO. In 1972 the factory in New Mills was closed down and the Marple site expanded. At this point, the company was renamed E&E Workwear Limited, and their association with lab coats came soon after with the commission of the original “Howie lab coat”.

E&E Lab Coats at Work In Style

Work in style purchased E&E in March 2019 and have continued to produce their main styles to the same specification using the same patterns and sewing methods that have been used since the late 70s.

The quality, style & fit have been a lasting favourite for Lab-based personnel and medical students for decades, so it was decided to continue with the exact same specification, why fix what isn’t broken? Now that you know the E&E brand, we would like to introduce you to its best-selling products.

The E&E Howie Lab Coat

The Howie lab coat is designed with safety in mind and is called such after a 1978 report commissioned by the UK department of Health and Social Security to codify standard clinical laboratory practices, chaired by J. W. Howie. Among the codified standards was protective clothing, with the type of wrap-around full coverage lab coat that had been in use in the UK for over a hundred years being nicknamed the "Howie-Style" coat to indicate its compliance with the provisions of this report.

It has buttons on the left flank, elasticated wrists, and a mandarin collar, and is quite similar to a chef's uniform. It is designed to minimize pathogen contact with street clothes.

Since adopting the Howie labcoat, Work in Style has expanded the range of colours available. We now stock 9 unique colours, which are great for distinguishing departments and job positions within your business, or just to add a little flair and style to your daily lab look. The coats are also available in a wide range of size, from 30”-54” chest

The Howie Lab Coat features:

• One Jetted breast pocket
• Two jetted hip pockets
• Offset Nine stud fastening with broad underlay to avoid gaping
• Knitted cuffs
• Back darts
• Poly/Cotton blend
• 3 coat lengths

We also offer the Howie Science Lab Coat, boasting all the same great features as the regular Howie coat but without the jetted pockets. This style comes in white and is available in the same great range of sizes.

The Lab Coats

We offer a variety of lab coats for women, including our standard lab coat, our long-sleeved lab coat, and our short-sleeved lab coat. However, our standard lab coats can be ordered as men’s and ladies styles, available in crisp white in a wide range of sizes, these are a great basic lab coat to kit out a big team. With chest and waist pockets, concealed stud fastening, and a 42” length.

Men's Lab Coat

Women's Lab Coat

The Flame Retardant Lab Coat

Our Flame Retardant Lab Coat is made from Probanised cotton and is a must for anyone working with any flammable materials, especially work with pyrophoric, spontaneously combustible, or extremely flammable chemicals, as this presents a high potential for fire and burn risks. Use of a fire-retardant lab coat is required when handling pyrophoric chemicals outside of a glove box.

Our FR Lab coats come in White, 42” length, and sizes XS-2XL.

I’m sure you have heard of Cherokee workwear? They are the number 1 brand in the Medical workwear sector, and for good reason too; quality fashionable scrubs are at the heart of what they do. Work in style have been stocking Cherokee Workwear for 14 years and they have become a firm favourite with our customers.

Cherokee is always releasing new exciting designs and innovative fabrics, never with a compromise on quality, and this quality is what keeps our customer wearing Cherokee scrubs for years and years! Here, we want to remind you of the bestselling Cherokee favourites we have on our site – These scrubs are worn by a range of professionals – from Dentists and Vets to Doctors and Nurses in our beloved NHS

The Cherokee 4700 Scrub Top and 4200 Scrub Pants

Our best-selling scrub top throughout all of our stocked ranges, the Cherokee 4700 is an industry-standard! This is a firm favourite with many of our customers – A Unisex V neck scrub top made from 65% Polyester and 35% Cotton – The Poly-cotton blend means it is very easy to care for and will not crease easily. The soil release technology will also help with easy cleaning of your scrubs The 4700 top has 2 patch side pockets and an interior pocket, great for holding mobile phones or medical instruments.

The Side-seam vents will keep you cool and composed on those long shifts. With well over 20 colours to choose from, and available in sizes 2XS to 5XL – This option is a fantastic way to kit out your whole team in fashionable comfortable scrubs.

The Cherokee 4700 Scrub Top and 4200 Scrub Pants.

The Cherokee 4200 are an elasticated waist scrub trouser and are the most common match for the 4700 scrub top – same materials and same stylish and comfortable fit, same unisex fit. Available in 3 leg lengths. With 2 cargo style pockets, a mobile phone pocket and one outside scissor pocket, these trousers ensure that you have a space for all your trusty equipment whilst on shift.

The 4100 Scrub Pants Are A Great Alternative

Another great trouser option, this time with an adjustable webbed drawstring waist for extra comfort, is the Cherokee 4100 scrub pant! Again, these are the same materials and colourways so can be mix and matched with the 4700 and the rest of the Cherokee range. The 4100 have 1 back pocket, 1 cargo pocket and an inside pocket perfect for your mobile phone – available in 3 leg lengths; Short Regular and Tall – another winning scrub trouser in a unisex fit.

The Cherokee 4100 Scrub Pants.

For a ladies fit, try the Cherokee 4801

Prefer a ladies fit scrub top? The Cherokee 4801 is our best-selling ladies scrub top. With an adjustable tie back this top is sure to fit perfectly and flatter your natural shape.

The Cherokee 4801 Ladies Scrub Top.

Cherokee Have Got You Covered With Maternity Scrubs - WW685 & WW220

The WW685 and WW220 Cherokee maternity scrubs are flattering and comfortable fitting scrubs which will see you through to full term. Order your pre-pregnancy size as these scrubs are designed to support and flatter your current size.

The Cherokee WW685 and WW220 Maternity Scrubs.

Fabric Tech – Revolution Tech

Want a little extra protection on the job? The Revolution Tech range uses high-quality fabrics with antimicrobial properties and a fluid barrier. A best-seller in the Dentistry and Veterinary professions.

Remember that all Cherokee scrubs can be mix and matched for a perfect colour match – Shop our full range to find your perfect set of scrubs – and, as always, keep an eye out for new and innovative scrubs coming from Cherokee in the future!