In this economy, value is increasingly important to scrub wearers. That’s why Landau designs its scrubs from premium fabrics that retain their color even after 50 washes, says VP of Sales & Marketing Darryl Williams. Available from Landau.

Walk into a lot of hospitals today and you might be tempted to look for the “Marriott” or “Hilton” signs.

“Hospitals and medical offices are focused more than ever on branding and ‘upscaling’ their care level,” says Tim Shields, director of marketing for Capital Mercury Apparel. “You can see it in the sophistication of the décor now found in many hospitals. They are really competing for patients and want them to feel comfortable during their stay – almost like they’re at a fine hotel.”

Leesa likes these yoga-inspired Flex-I-Bles scrubs in 100% cotton. Coordinate the jacket with matching scrub top or add it over a solid color suit for a fun, floral touch. Crew neck styling, full zipper front, two side inset pockets, spandex cuffs and contrasting stretch sides made with 88% polyester/12% spandex. In sizes XS-3XL. Available from Cherokee.

That trend bodes well for Capital Mercury, which manufactures the upscale Bill Blass Healthcare line of scrubs. “Fashion is important in all aspects of a person’s life today – from work life to home life to nightlife,” Shields says. “Today’s health-care worker spends a lot of time on the job, so they want to look good and be comfortable.”

Color and fabric feel are the most important criteria to Bill Blass customers, he says. “We use a peached finish on all of our styles, which yields an unbelievable hand feel,” says Shields. “Customers first notice the brighter colors, but once they feel the product they are ready to purchase.”

Best of all, scrub buyers don’t have to sacrifice functionality for fashion. “Features such as tool pockets and finishing details like taped side vents or bar tacks on pockets and other high-stress areas are a big hit with our customers,” Shields says.

Dickies’ new Black Label also appeals to the fashion-conscious scrub wearer. “Black Label is an umbrella we’re using for a new line of scrubs that feature a comfortable, drapey brushed poly fabric, with treatments that add wickability,” says Jim Case, vice president of sales for Selecta Corp LLC, licensee for Dickies Medical. “It’s more of a ready-to-wear look for the professional community. When we go into hospitals, we can provide basic scrubs, but other practitioners want a more upscale look. That’s what Black Label provides.”

What sets Black Label apart, Case says, is shape, softness and drape. “Compared to a basic V-neck scrub, a Black Label V-neck is more flowing, with more gathers, shaped pockets and wrap tops that tie in the back,” he says, “and our seamless leg pant has a soft, drapey shape.” Here again, though, Dickies scrubs do not sacrifice the functionality and durability Dickies is known for. “Our cargo pockets are tonally double-stitched, and gusseting allows the pockets to hold more product,” Case says.

Liza's favorites are these Landau scrubs
because the style is flattering on different body types and she loves the bright prints and patterns. This 100% cotton mock-wrap scrub features an empire waist with pin-tuck detailing, fashion back tie, set-in sleeves, in 26” length. Available from Landau Scrubs.

That combination of fashion and functionality has made Dickies one of the most popular scrub brands. “We were out there early on with young and exciting looks like flare leg pants and contrasting trims that weren’t yet part of the market,” says Case. “We have an incredible design team headed up by Nina Park that has captured the imagination of the consumer.”

The Dickies design team plans to continue capturing health-care buyer’s fancy in 2009 with an innovative new fabric that provides superior stretch and comfort.

A tailored approach
Traditional fabrics like 65%/35% poly/cotton still represent the majority of scrub purchases, says Darryl Williams, vice president of sales and marketing for Landau Uniforms. But the needs of healthcare professionals are increasingly varied and go well beyond the traditional color and fabric offerings found in health-care apparel. That’s why Landau has developed a family of brands that responds to these wide-ranging needs. “Landau FX meets the fit and fashion of the junior fit professional with stretch fabrics, junior fashion and junior fit,” Williams says. “Landau Trends adopts the missy fit for the fashion-forward health-care professional, while Landau for Her adds the fashion curves into the missy segment, and Urbane Scrubs meets the lifestyle needs of the professional who is young at heart and wants to wear her uniform at work and after work.”

Medelita is a new scrub brand that’s targeting what founder and creator Lara Manchik says is a surprisingly underserved segment of the medical apparel market: the 8 million women in the U.S. who wear scrubs and lab coats to work.

Lindsey loves the sassy patterns, square neckline and contrasting trim of these 100% cotton Koi scrubs, which feature comfortable elastic shirring that sits high on the waist for a flattering shape, set-in sleeves, 3½” side slits, two side pockets, border detail on sleeves and bottom, 26½” length. In sizes XS-3XL. Koi styles come in junior sizing and run smaller than other styles. Available from Koi.

“Medelita originated out of a very real need among female clinicians – myself included – who were frustrated with the shapeless unisex style scrubs made from uncomfortable fabrics,” says Manchik. “Female clinicians are consummate professionals who deserve a uniform that reflects their confidence and poise.”

While maintaining many traditional scrub features, Medelita provides a professional and flattering fit for the female form not typically seen in unisex scrubs, she adds. Clinician scrub tops feature darting at the bust, tapering at the waist and hips, and tailoring at the sleeves, while clinician pants include a subtle, slimming bootleg, contoured rise front to back and flattering seam placement. Lab coats feature feminine colors, tailored shaping, finished inside seams, high-quality buttons and a flattering back waist belt. “Combined with features such as side panel pockets and a hidden money pocket, Medelita clinician scrubs allow women to look and feel their best at work,” Manchik says.

Hand-sewn in the U.S., Medelita scrubs also feature moisture-transferring Dri-release technology and bacteriostat FreshGuard micro-blend technology by Optimer, which help keep the fabric fresh and odor-free even after grueling 12-hour shifts. Made from ultra-soft 100% brushed cotton that resists wrinkling, Medelita lab coats employ advanced dual-action Teflon developed by DuPont to repel liquid spills, as well as High IQ Easycare Plus by Huntsman to maintain a crisp, professional appearance, wear after wear.