How Did The Nurse Dress Adopt Utility?

The Evolution Of The Nurse Dress

The nurse dress was not always a the staple uniform of today. Back when care givers and nuns took the role of the “nurse”, it was because a loved one became ill. It was a family obligation to take on the medical, physical and emotional needs of an ill family member. When there was no family to step forward, a nun from a convent would take on the responsibility.

Military Hospitals during the Crimean War in 1854 started training nursing professionals, it was during this time that the modern day nurse emerged. A nurse during this time cared for the wounded, and a sanitary uniform wasn’t a primary concern, not until diseases started to spread. Conditions in hospitals and institutions were not great; nurses covered up in floor length dresses, apron to hang instruments and a cap to hold the hair.

In 1893, Lillian Wald, a German Jewish nurse from Cincinnati Ohio was the first to be photographed in a nursing dress. It was the beginning of the evolution of the nursing dress.

American Style

1906, American nursing dresses became more stylish with puffed sleeves, white aprons, a white cap and a covered neckline. It was the United States Navy that officially gave nurses a uniform.

The Naval Hospital in Washington D.C. appointed the “Sacred Twenty” in 1908, to serve as nurses for the wounded. The staple nurse uniform became an all white floor length dress, with a white cap to keep hair in place. Utility was not incorporated into the uniform until the need became greater for nurses serving in the battlefield.

WWI Introduced The Red Cross Nurse

WWI introduced the now iconic Red Cross nurse, who were easily distinguished on the battlefield. War nurses wore the Red Cross printed on their arm, hat or chest. The apron evolved into a pinafore, which was used to hang medical instruments. The white dress for all red cross nurses was the only uniform, except for high ranking nurses or matrons who wore darker colored dresses under their pinafore.

Over the years utility has become the focus in uniforms. Scrubs have become the modern day nurse uniform, with functional pockets and secret compartments.

With A Caring Hand

Today’s technology allows for scrubs to be stain and crease resistant. It is my responsibility every day to make sure nurses look their best on their graduation day or at work. I am one of the few people that inspects merchandise before it hits the market.

I enjoy my job at Dress A Med because it fits the quality standards as a consumer. Dress A Med has been designing, manufacturing and distributing the highest quality medical apparel since 1980. We are the best in the business because we understand the functionality needed to perform at your best while caring for others!

Nancy Corrales is the Lifestyle Editor at the Dress A Med headquarters in Los Angeles.