From the heavy, restrictive dresses of the 19th century to the high-tech gender-neutral scrubs of today, the evolution of nurses’ uniforms is a testament to the progress and resilience of the nursing profession. As we celebrate the 77th anniversary of the NHS (UK National Health Service), on 5 July, Bodi.Me wanted to share some interesting insights from our recent work on a large healthcare contract and what we’ve learnt about the incredible journey of nurses’ uniforms and the vital role they play in the quality of our healthcare.
During this project, we worked with one of our longstanding clients to support them with their new healthcare range, which uses a non-standard, entirely gender-free sizing system. As part of the project, we had the opportunity to learn from today’s healthcare staff what they need from their uniforms. As with many other professions, nursing staff want to feel protected and comfortable throughout the day. They want workwear that fits well so that they can do their job without discomfort or distraction. Workwear that is practical and functional. On an emotional level, they don’t want to feel embarrassed by ill-fitting clothing or clothing that causes humiliation in any way. It wasn’t always so.
Early nursing duties were mostly performed by female members of religious orders, such as nuns. Their uniforms were often long, modest dresses, reflecting a sense of duty. Based on what we have learnt from our recent work mentioned above, and what we know about nursing today, these uniforms seem cumbersome, restrictive and may have made it challenging to perform their duties efficiently.
Luckily, things evolved. As nursing became a more established profession in the early 20th century, uniforms began to evolve to meet the practical needs of the job. Skirts became a little shorter, to above the ankle. Modesty was still important so uniforms still had long sleeves and high necks, which in the profession today, would seem restrictive and uncomfortable. At this time, the iconic white dress, apron and cap became standard, symbolising purity and dedication.
The mid-20th century brought significant changes to nurses’ uniforms, driven by advances in hygiene practices and societal changes. It was no longer unusual for women to want an education equal to that of men, and to want a job or career and nursing was seen as an acceptable option for young women. On the flip side of that, WW2 also saw the nurse become a pin-up girl for the men fighting on the front, a symbol of hope. In the decades to follow, fuelled by pop culture, nursing and other jobs typically held by women, such as air hostesses, would become sexualised. In some cases, uniforms would reflect this with dresses becoming impractically short and tight.
However, a revolution was at hand. In the 1990s, early noughties, scrubs became popular. Originally meant for the operating theatre, these garments allow for greater freedom of movement. With their non-gender-specific design, scrubs also support inclusivity and the increasing diversity within the nursing profession. In the UK alone, this once female-dominant profession now has over 86,000 registered male nurses, and overall, around 5% of the UK’s NHS staff have a declared disability .
Still, scrubs are not a one-size-fits-all solution. For a uniform provider, offering an inclusive or gender-neutral design, means that ensuring the end user gets the perfect fit is even more important than ever. Traditional sizing systems do not work for these garments, and fit, rather than size, is key. This is where Bodi.Me’s Size-Me system comes in. Our client wanted to ensure that the healthcare staff they were due to provide with uniforms were able to select the right fit, the first time.
For this reason, we developed Size-Me 4.0, incorporating the first 3D try-on option, specifically developed for the uniform market. Using just a few very simple body measurements, the system generates a 3D avatar, which allows the user to see how the recommended size may fit them. In turn, this allows for personalised adjustments as the user has the opportunity to “try-on” more options. To date, uptake has been very high, with 98% of the targeted uniform wearers using the system, and Size-Me 4.0 has delivered over 300,000 size recommendations with a recorded 98.7% size accuracy.
And as for the future of the nurse’s uniform, we can expect to see the integration of smart fabrics and wearable technology. Features like moisture-wicking and antibacterial materials, as well as sensors for monitoring vital signs and communication, location tracking and more will help to enhance both functionality and safety. The design is also likely to continue to evolve to further improve comfort and movement, help with easier identification and support inclusivity.
Footnote: Bodi.Me has been helping companies to ensure their gender-neutral and inclusive lines offer wearers the right fit for many years. See how we supported Marks and Spencer’s inclusive workwear range here: M&S X Size-Me 3.0.
[1] Source: https://www.nmc.org.uk/
[2] Source: NHS England