The scrub. While the lab coat get’s the glory in the medical field, the scrub get’s little or no attention. In a way, it makes sense: a lab coat is universally known as the “official” wardrobe of a smart sophisticated doctor. We see our favorite (and most attractive) television stars wear them in our can’t-miss medical dramas and when we think of a doctor with think of them in a long, flowing lab coat. Men’s and women’s scrubs, on the other hand, are just kind of there. There are what nurses wear and while we like our nurses, they aren’t our doctor, right? The thing is, though, ask any medical professional, and they will tell you: the medical scrub is one of the, if not most important, part of their medical wardrobe. And they aren’t just for nurses either.

The medical scrub has a variety of uses in the medical field. Besides its almost universal use by nurses, scrubs are also the primary, if not mandatory, dress for surgeons. In fact, it is almost impossible for a surgeon to wear anything other than a scrub due to the movement and cleanliness limitations of any other sort of medical wear. In addition to nurses and surgeons, most people who work in a doctor’s office or hospital setting wear scrubs from those who work in a lab setting to those who take your blood.

Here’s the thing about medical scrubs: they aren’t as basic as they look. Not only are medical scrubs made specifically for a man or a woman, but they are also made with state of the art fabrics and features which people pay good money for. Since you’re going to be around a lot of bodily fluids and medical waste, most good quality medical scrubs features fabric which are not only stain resistant but also eliminate odors. In addition, since a medical professional is always on the move, the fabric is designed to draw moisture such as sweat away from the skin. Even more attractive for those who wear them is the fact that the scrubs are designed to be form fitting without being constrictive. That is a big deal for anyone who is on their feet as much as those in the medical field.

For a medical professional, a scrub is much more than just a piece of clothing; it’s an important medical tool. Because you’re in a high pressure, fast moving industry, you want your clothing to work with you. Having a form fitting, comfortable piece of clothing that repels stains, sucks away sweat and stays fresh isn’t something that you want, but instead something you need.

Author Kimberly Green has a respect for the versatility of women’s scrubs.

It is possible to combine good looks and performance in a piece of work clothing: just check out a lab coat. Is there a sexier piece of work clothing then a lab coat? I mean, is it just a coincidence that many of the biggest “hunks” (I believe that is the scientific term) on television are doctors who spend much of the show inside men’s lab coats? You couldn’t really pull that off with a pair of overalls could you? Even in real life, there is a reason why it’s a cliché to fall for a doctor: lab coats tend to accentuate your good features. There is a reason why a lab coat looks so good: because a lot of work goes into it.

Ask any male doctor and he will tell you that one of the most important tools during an average work day is his lab coat. This is because a lab coat is not just something you put over yourself to make sure that your regular clothes stay clean; it is an extension of your work. It holds all your important products from your prescription pad to your stethoscope. Since you are wearing it wherever you go you need it to be comfortable yet, at the same time, durable. It needs to be form fitting, yet leave enough room for you to move around. Yes, it’s not just something that you half heartedly purchase; it is something that you must put some thought into.

A lab coat is also not a small investment. It’s not the kind of thing that where you throw a few dollars here and there and get a quality lab coat. Oh sure, you could get a cheap lab coat, but you shouldn’t. You need something that not only keeps your comfortable and holds all your stuff, but something that will last. The last thing that you want to have to do is replace your lab coat every couple of months. Like a car or a MP3 player, you want to make a bigger investment so that you get a better quality product. There are things to skimp on in life and there are things that you don’t skimp on in life: a lab coat is the kind of thing you don’t.

Back to the whole looks thing. A lab coat is like a suit where the more of an investment that you put into it the better it will look on you. The lab coat is such a good looking product because it a lot of care and hard work is put into making it that way. Not that it will make you look like McSteamy, but it will definitely make you look professional.

Author Kim Green wants her doctor to wear comfortable men’s lab coats.

Men love to give off the aura that they don’t care about fashion, but trust me, they aren’t really that good at fooling women. The more they say “I don’t know what I’m wearing and I don’t care what you think” the more I’m on to them. Face it: you care, and, furthermore, you care enough to try and over establish how much you don’t care.

I’ll give you this story for example. My friend is a male nurse who makes very good money in his profession. He always tries to come off like “Oh, I don’t care what I have to wear, I just wear it.” That is until one day where he came clean to me: he had done three days worth of research into which types of mens scrubs to purchase. “This is nothing to be embarrassed about”, I told him, but I could see in his eyes that he still felt a little ashamed about his confession.

When I got home from seeing my friend, I decided to do a little research of my own into medical scrubs, and what I found made his endeavor seem more than justified. Scrubs aren’t just run of the mill uniforms, they are specialized pieces of equipment (yes, I said equipment) that are designed to help a doctor, nurse, or other medical professional through his or her daily life at work. A scrub must combine comfort with practability, as well as style with reliability. And with a price tag that is a bit higher than you would expect, the idea of spending a few days looking comparing different styles and companies seems more than justified, it seems absolutely necessary.

One of the biggest selling points about different types of scrubs is how well it will keep the wearer both cool and clean. Let me explain: doctors and nurses are on their feet all day, and well, they have a lot of liquids and fluids come their way during an average workday. One of the important functions of a scrub is to make sure these fluids, may it be sweat or, umm, various, off the skin. This is done by fabrics that move moisture away from skin, something that is vital in keeping the body cool and clean. Most scrubs are also made with fibers that help keep the fabrics smelling, and feeling, fresh and clean, even when introduced to these liquids, and also allow stains and sweat to be easily washed out in the washing machine. After learning all of this I’ll called my friend again to tell him that there was nothing to be ashamed of, though I still don’t think he believed me.

Kim Green knows men love their mens scrubs as much as women love theirs.

When people think of uniforms, most typically think of people who work as policeman, firefighters, pilots and stewardesses. If you think about it, though, almost everyone who works a job wears some type of uniform, may they be shorts and a t-shirt or a suit and tie. Next time you walk into a store, take a look at what the workers are wearing. While they might not be official uniforms, typically their cloths are at least synchronized by color or style.

Doctors, nurses, dentists and other medical professionals have their own uniforms: scrubs. While you might have noticed scrubs during your last trip to the doctors, what you probably don’t know is that not all scrubs created equal. Besides the difference between basic men’s and women’s scrubs, there are a variety of different styles and materials on the market that make these medical field necessities stand out from other uniforms on the market.

So what makes scrubs so versatile, anyway? Think of scrubs as more of a tool then a just a piece of clothing. Since a doctor or nurse is always on the move during their 10-12 hour shifts, their scrubs must perform along with them. Scrubs are typically made from specialized fabrics that not only breath, but also repel stains and fluids that are daily occurrences in the medical profession.

Unless you wear one of these scrubs regularly, it’s hard to understand the importance of having breathable fabric. Medical professionals spend a lot of time on their feet in high pressure situations that don’t exactly lend themselves to comfort. Because of this you want to wear something that feels light and airy and will allow you to stay cool in situations where sweat typically occurs. In addition to keeping you cool, many of the scrubs on the market are made with materials which draw the sweat away from skin, which means that you won’t find yourself feeling dirty after a high pressure situation. In addition, a high quality scrub is made with fabrics that are designed to stay fresh and clean smelling throughout a long day. Those are definite pluses after an overnight shift.

In addition to being able to stand up to messy situations, the cut and design of scrubs can also be very important, and not just in a fashion sense. While looking good is a plus, a bigger deal is staying comfortable, which means that you want material that won’t clump or shift during an exam or emergency situation. Add in a good set of pockets which can hold pads, paper and even a stethoscope, and you have everything that a professional could ask for.

Author Kimberly Green has friends who need comfortable women’s scrubs in order to function properly.

What do you get the girl that has everything? It’s a question, well, more an ironic question, that’s been asked for centuries. What are you supposed to get a woman who is graduating high school? I know that high school graduation gifts haven’t really been in style in recent years, but I feel like, as she is the daughter of a close friend, I should get her something that would be useful and not just go the typical gift card route.

With my friend’s daughter planning to go to medical school during her college career, I thought that I should get her something that she might need for her medical studies. After lying in bed for a while trying to figure out what to get her it finally hit me: a women’s lab coat. It made perfect sense: every doctor needs a lab coat, right? What I didn’t know, though, is that there are a lot more to buying a lab coat then I first imagined.

First thing you need to understand about lab coats is that not all are created equal. Think about it: a lab coat is more than just a part of a doctor or nurses’ clothing ensemble, it is a function piece of their medical arsenal. Since a lab coat might be worn for up to 12 hours a day you need something that is not only comfortable, but also has a fit that will not inhibit or limit any movements or procedures. They need to be light and breathable, while being strong enough to stand up to dirt, stains, and, in a lot of cases, medical waste. It needs pockets that can hold pens, paper and equipment and stitching that will stand up to extended use. Yes, these are all things you have to consider when buying a lab coat, which is why it took me nearly a week to find the right one.

While there are a lot of lab coat makers who offer decent products at an ok price, you really must look at a lab coat as more of an investment then a quick purchase. While it cost more than, say, a bouquet of flowers or a Target gift card, the lab coat which I decided on should last her through at least her college years. Plus, because it is custom fit, it’s more personal than just about anything else you can buy a grad.

Upon receiving her gift, I got a long, detailed thank you card from her. She thanked me for thinking outside the box and getting her something that she truly needed. She recently wore it for the first time during a lab assignment and raved about how well it fit. I think all my hard work paid off.

Author Kim Green feels that a women’s lab coat is the perfect gift for a students who longs to attend medical school.