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When you think of a classic nurse’s uniform, you probably picture a dress with a white apron and a matching cap. But why did nurses dress like this in the past, and how have these uniforms changed over the years? In this article, I delve into the history of the nurse’s uniform.
In the latest episode of the Nursing Standard podcast, this topic was extensively discussed with Dr. Jane Brooks. She is a senior lecturer at the University of Manchester and has specialized in the history of nursing for 25 years. She shared so many interesting facts about the nurse’s uniform that I decided to include the most fascinating details in this article.
History of the nurse’s uniform
Around 1860, the first nurse’s uniform was introduced. As mentioned earlier, there is a common image of old-fashioned nurses wearing a dark dress with a white hat and apron. At that time, an apron was a garment always worn while working. Those who risked getting dirty wore aprons to protect their everyday clothing.
Nurses’ attire was often paired with thick, black stockings and shoes. However, not all nurses in the 19th century wore this uniform. Each hospital had its own colors, cuffs, and hats to distinguish itself.
Whatever they wore, it was important that they stood out. The nursing profession was one of the first paid jobs deemed suitable for women, and so the clothing had to look special. The women who worked as nurses were often daughters of the working middle class, such as shopkeepers.
Long dresses and detachable cuffs
Later, nurses began wearing long satin dresses with high, white lace collars, often adorned with a brooch or pin. The goal was to make the attire appear elegant but less flamboyant. This was combined with a white cap, as it was customary for women to cover their hair.
One key detail was the cuffs. While nurses were working, the cuffs were removed, and sleeves were rolled up. However, when they needed to speak with a sister, the sleeves had to be rolled down, and the cuffs reattached, even in emergencies. This was a way to show respect to the sisters, who ranked higher in the nursing hierarchy.
By around 1920, skirts became more common, and nurses gradually followed this trend. The waistline was lowered slightly, but otherwise, the uniform remained largely the same for some time.
The rise of trousers
In the 1950s, the nurse’s uniform changed. The cuffs disappeared, and skirts became shorter. When World War II broke out, this brought about significant changes in both the work and the uniforms. For the first time, nurses were sent to different countries to provide aid, and they became increasingly independent.
The nurses often had to assist men lying on stretchers, and wearing a skirt was, of course, impractical. As they walked past the men, it was easy for them to see under the skirts. From that point on, nurses decided to wear trousers.
After the war, in the 1960s and 1970s, the uniform changed even more. The white aprons, cuffs, and classic hats disappeared. In the 1980s, the first plastic protective gowns were introduced, essentially replacing the apron. And from the 1990s, the pantsuit became popular, which has been the norm for nurses ever since.
Understandably, a pantsuit is much more practical than a long dress with cuffs and lace.
Want to know more?
Would you like to learn more about this uniform and how the implementation of a national care uniform in England is progressing? Listen to the episode of Nursing Standard.
Greetings,
Aileen