Friday, October 13, 2006

I don't want no scrubs.

I've come to realize that there are two types of women in this world: those who would be content wearing scrubs to work, and those who would rather die.


I am a member of the latter category (in case my running a fashion blog isn't a big enough clue). As my mom put it, "Why even have a job if you don't get to shop for work clothes?" When people used to ask me what I wanted to be when I grew up, I would say "anything that requires pumps," and while I've grown up to be a bit more specific about my career aspirations, the general sentiment remains. Work is the master shopping justifier, a watertight excuse to buy that extra-expensive pair of shoes or a well-made briefcase or a fantastic suit.


But not everyone feels this way. While I was writing this post, my brother told me about a woman in one of his classes who went to a hospital for the sole purpose of buying scrubs, as if it were a version of Bloomingdales where shoppers die a little more often, and when people ask her what hospital she works for, she gets offended and screeches, "These are my clothes!"

I first became intrigued with this subject, however, when I heard that one of my mom's coworkers, a lunchbreak Nordstrom shopper and all around stylish lady, declared that she would actually prefer wearing scrubs to work. I was stunned. Who knew that beneath her chic Talbots and Caslon clad exterior lurked a secret yearning for a poly/cotton blend elastic-waist uniform? And how many more chic working women feel the same way?

So, what type are you? Tell the truth. I swear (despite this hugely biased post) I won't judge.

16 comments:

Nicky said...

I think scrubs are evil. If you wanted to be super comfy everyday why wouldn't you wear supersoft tees and sweats instead? There is an entire store that sells only scrubs by my house and I am amazed that it exists, how many different kinds can there be?

Anonymous said...

I wouldn't say I am content wearing scrubs missy, but I have to tell ya, for 54K a year straight out of nursing school I would wear a paper sack if they so asked me. Think about all the shopping you and I will get to do cause I wear scrubs!!! You just need to help me make them cute. How is that for a fashion challenge!

The Glossy Editor said...

is this a question?????

alice-chan said...

i agree with the wearing sweatpants and a t is better than scrubs if you had a choice.......but there is something special about scrubs. you dont have to worry about how they fit at all. and they come in really silly funny prints.

Anonymous said...

I once left the house in a bright blue blanket with legs and arms and a zipper up the stomach like one of those stuffed animals with the sound box in its belly, and even I wouldn't want to wear scrubs to work.

Sarah said...

i don't wanna wear scrubs dear. I agree with you, anything that requires pumps are my kind of job.

Ally. said...

My dentist has scrubs with teeth on them, but i would rather die that wear scrubs.Nurse Carolyn makes a good point, if i made 54K a year, i would wear scrubs too!

Honeybee said...

No scrubs, thank you. But I have to tell you, ever since I get to wear boring black suits (there's no fashion sense in the world of finance) on a regular basis, jeans seem sooo much more interesting.

Anonymous said...

Scrubs were createad for the careers that need them; comfort ease and easy to wash. Less laborwork on it thus cheaper and no big deal if you toss it away. The most common professions which employ scrubs are doctors and nurses. Why? They work the whole running around taking care of patients, you need clothing that allows mobility. Also, you run major risk of getting yourself dirty or shall we say, contaminated, with ANYTHING you can imagine. Surgeons wear scrubs to protect themselves from taking outside contaminants inside the OR and many times not wearing it out for the same reason.

I'm a MD at a county hospital, and yes I love the days I don't need to wear the green/blue scrubs. But I also appreciate the comfort it gives me when I have been running around all time, no time to think if I need to dry clean, iron anything back home. I wouldn't last past noon in pumps with the amount of patients I have to see and I definally will not let the goods I acquired from Nordstrom or any other nice boutiques run risk of having any "nasty" substance smear/splatter on it.

Yeap,I second what nurse Carolyn said. The salary is pretty good!

Anonymous said...

I think people should choose jobs for other factors than the fashion choices one has while there. Scrubs are appropriate for the job and they were designed for function not fashion. I'd rather not get bodily functions on a nice suit, and I dont know how I could answer call bells and run in emergencies if I was wearing heels. That said, I'm not saying I'm not into fashion, because I am. I just choose to wear an outfit that allows me to perform my work to the best of my abilities. Arguing about people wearing scrubs is like saying police shouldnt wear their uniforms because the colour scheme of dark blue on black is commiting a fashion crime.

RachelP said...
This comment has been removed by a blog administrator.
RachelP said...

When I was in high school I worked at a dentist's office for two years, so I had to wear scrubs then. Needless to say, it was an agonizing experience to have to show up to my best friend's house for a party after work in my scrubs. However, I did find a cool scrubs store that even had a petites section, so they actually fit pretty well, and I got some in a really pretty green. But yeah, I have likewise always dreamed of a job where pumps are necessary. Even a few sexy skirt suits would be nice.

shallomj said...

lol I was just talking abou this yesterday! I can't imagine having to wear the same ting to work every day, whether it is scrubs or a suit or a uniform.

Anonymous said...

I would not want to wear scrubs to work. That said, if my passion was a job where i had to wear scrubs, I would cope with it (and take advantage of the saved buck to have an extra amazing going out wardrobe).

In my job, I can dress up or down-whatever I want as long as it is kinda professional and not overly revealing and I make over 54k, and I love the work...happy Jill here!!!

Dulwich_News said...

As well as Bloging my wife and I design scrubs for the US market and a surprisingly a lot goes into it (to see copy and-paste this link into browser window http://www.dickiesmedical.com/catalog/prints/printDetails.asp?
iPCID=16&iPID=324 ) But I know what you mean ;-) Robert writing from London

Anonymous said...

Give me a fierce power suit and equally fab pumps any day! However, scrubs are lovely to walk around the house with the blinds down so you can't be seen.

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