What Do Doctors Wear? Scrubs, Lab Coats & Other Attire

Common Attire

• Scrubs: Most common; cotton/poly blend; top + pants; color-coded by department/role. Worn in OR, ER, ICU, wards, clinics.
• Lab coats: White/light; knee-length; worn over scrubs or business casual. Symbol of physician role; pockets for tools.
• Business casual: Outpatient clinics, admin, telemedicine (shirt, slacks, optional tie).
• Surgical gowns: Sterile, disposable; worn over scrubs in OR only.
• PPE: Gowns, gloves, masks, face shields, N95s per isolation precautions.

Trends

• Many hospitals restrict white coats outside clinical areas (infection control).
• "Bare below elbows" policy common in UK/NHS.
• Personal preference and institutional policy dictate daily wear.