Scrubs, or two-piece medical uniforms, are the daily attire for hospitals, clinics, and doctor's offices today. They are worn all day during long shifts, washed almost daily, and unlike white lab coats, they are mostly colored. Color here is not just a matter of taste: it shows at a glance who is a physician, a nurse, or a technician, rests the eyes in the operating room, and softens the environment in the pediatric ward.
In this guide, we introduce three fabrics we recommend for scrubs, compare their technical values, and show the color options for each one individually. Afterward, we explain which colors are preferred for which staff and use cases. If you are looking for lab coat fabrics, you can check out our Medical Coat and Teacher Coat Fabrics guide.
What to Look for When Choosing Scrubs Fabric?
- Elasticity: Scrubs are worn while bending, lifting, carrying patients, and reaching throughout the day. Fabrics with Lycra (elastane) do not bag at the knees, back, or shoulders, and return to their original form once movement stops.
- Color Retention: Colored scrubs are washed almost every day. Fabrics with a high polyester ratio retain their color for a long time and do not fade quickly.
- Wash Resistance: Tightly woven fabrics that do not pill or lose their shape during frequent washing extend the lifespan of the scrubs.
- Wrinkle Resistance: Polyviscose fabrics stay neat throughout the day, ensuring a well-groomed look even at the end of a long shift.
- Opacity (non-transparency): The density of the fabric is important, especially in light colors (white, pastel blue, powder). Since scrubs are usually worn without anything underneath, this criterion is more critical than it is for lab coats.
- Comfort: Viscose content gives the fabric a soft touch and manages perspiration better.
Get to Know Our Three Fabrics for Scrubs Closely
1. Serap Lycra Gabardine
Our first recommendation for scrubs. It is gabardine's firm, twill-textured weave with 5% Lycra added: it holds its form, stretches as you move, and recovers. Thanks to its tight weave, it is opaque even in light colors. Its real difference, however, is its 127-color shade card. It is possible to match almost any corporate color code with this fabric.
- Content: 73% Polyester, 22% Viscose, 5% Lycra
- Weight / Width: 185 g/m² / 150 cm
- Highlights: The most elastic fabric in the selection, widest color card; opaque
- Care: 30°C low spin, max 110°C iron, low-heat drying
- Who is it for: Nurses, emergency and intensive care teams, dentists, physiotherapists; anyone who moves a lot and needs to comply with corporate color codes
You can see the current stock status by selecting a color on the product page. You can request a quote to learn the lead time for colors not shown in stock.
Examine all colors of Serap Lycra Gabardine →
2. Oğuz Super Alpaca
With its smooth, slightly shiny surface and high drape, this is the fabric that gives scrubs the most elegant look. The 35% viscose content provides a soft and premium touch. It is resistant to wrinkling and looks well-groomed even at the end of a long day. Since it has no Lycra, it does not stretch; therefore, we recommend it be tailored with slightly looser cuts.
- Content: 65% Polyester, 35% Viscose
- Weight / Width: 185 g/m² / 150 cm
- Highlights: The most draped and elegant look, soft touch
- Care: 30°C low spin, max 150°C iron from the reverse, suitable for tumble drying
- Who is it for: Doctor's offices, aesthetic and dental clinics, private polyclinics; places where scrubs are also part of the corporate image
Examine the colors of Oğuz Super Alpaca →
3. Lycra Polyviscose Alpaca
A plain-weave, slightly textured, and firm-feeling alpaca. Thanks to its 3% Lycra, it has a certain amount of stretch and recovery. It is one of the fabrics with the best price-performance balance that we specifically recommend for scrubs, medical coats, and teacher coats. The color card is narrow but curated: two striking vibrant shades alongside classic white and black.
- Content: 75% Polyester, 22% Viscose, 3% Lycra
- Weight / Width: 190 g/m² / 150 cm
- Highlights: Flexibility + durability + affordable price
- Care: 30°C low spin, max 110°C iron, suitable for tumble drying
- Who is it for: Lab technicians, pharmacists, veterinary clinics, beauty and care salons; those looking for comfortable and economical scrubs to be worn every day
Examine the colors of Lycra Polyviscose Alpaca →
Comparison Table
| Fabric | Content | Grammage | Flexibility | Opacity | Color Option | Appearance |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Serap Lycra Gabardine | 73% PES · 22% VIS · 5% Lycra | 185 g/m² | ●●● | ●●● | 127 colors | Matte, twill |
| Oğuz Super Alpaca | 65% PES · 35% VIS | 185 g/m² | — | ●● | 9 colors | Smooth, slightly shiny, draped |
| Lycra Polyviscose Alpaca | 75% PES · 22% VIS · 3% Lycra | 190 g/m² | ●● | ●● | 4 colors | Slightly textured, firm |
●●● = strong, ●● = medium, — = none. PES: polyester, VIS: viscose. All three are 150 cm wide. The comparison is based on the technical values on the product pages.
Scrubs Color Guide: Which Staff, Which Color?
There is no single standard for scrubs colors that everyone follows in Turkey. Each hospital and clinic determines its own color code. Nevertheless, there are some common preferences in the sector and practical reasons behind them. The recommendations below are to guide you while creating your own color plan:
Operating Room and Surgical Team: Green and Blue Tones
There is a reason why green and blue are preferred in operating rooms: these colors are complementary to red. Eyes that have been looking at blood and tissue for a long time may see greenish "ghost" images when turning to a white surface. Green and blue scrubs reduce this effect and do not tire the eyes under bright light.
- Serap Lycra Gabardine: Turquoise Green, Mint Green, Aqua Green, Emerald Green, Dark Green, Riviera, Cyan Blue, Petrol Blue
- Oğuz Super Alpaca: Light Turquoise Green, Light Blue
Nursing and Ward Teams: Navy, Royal, and Cobalt Blue
Dark blues provide a trustworthy, professional look and show stains much less than lighter colors. That is why they are the most common preference for ward nurses and busy teams. Different shades of the same blue can also be used for role differentiation within the team.
- Serap Lycra Gabardine: Cobalt Blue, Royal Blue, Indigo Blue, Parliament Blue, Navy Blue (1–3), Dark Navy Blue (1–7), Purple-Navy
- Oğuz Super Alpaca: Blue
Emergency Department and Physicians: Burgundy, Cherry, and Dark Tones
Burgundy and cherry tones are easily distinguished in a crowded environment and hide stains well. Many institutions designate these tones for emergency teams, on-call physicians, or responsible personnel.
- Serap Lycra Gabardine: Burgundy, Dark Burgundy, Cherry, Wine, Dark Red, Dark Plum
- Oğuz Super Alpaca: Burgundy, Red
Obstetrics, Pediatrics, and Children's Clinics: Pink, Lilac, and Pastel Tones
Soft and warm colors help reduce patient anxiety, especially in children. Pastel tones make the environment feel more friendly. Choosing an opaque fabric is important here; Serap Lycra Gabardine can be safely used in these tones thanks to its tight weave.
- Serap Lycra Gabardine: Powder Pink, Dark Powder, Rose, Scarlet Rose, Lilac, Pastel Purple, Baby Blue, Ice Blue, Light Yellow
- Lycra Polyviscose Alpaca: Light Fuchsia
Dental, Aesthetic, and Beauty Clinics: Turquoise, Fuchsia, Black
In these clinics, scrubs are also part of the brand. While turquoise and mint give a fresh and clean feeling, fuchsia and purple tones are memorable. Black and anthracite offer a modern, stylish look.
- Serap Lycra Gabardine: Turquoise Blue, Turquoise Green, Riviera, Fuchsia, Fuchsia 2, Eggplant Purple, Violet, Black, Anthracite
- Oğuz Super Alpaca: Light Turquoise Green, Black
- Lycra Polyviscose Alpaca: Light Fuchsia, Black
Veterinary Clinics, Laboratory, and Technical Staff: Khaki, Gray, and Earth Tones
Khaki, gray, and earth tones are a practical choice in environments where hair, dust, and stains are frequent. They can also be used to distinguish technical and support staff from the clinical team.
- Serap Lycra Gabardine: Khaki, Dark Khaki, Olive Green, Gray, Gray Blue, Smoke, Brick, Mink
- Lycra Polyviscose Alpaca: Brick, Black
White Scrubs
White is the color that provides the strongest perception of cleanliness and hygiene. However, it is also the color that shows stains the most easily. It is preferred in relatively clean environments such as laboratories and cosmetic procedures. All three of our fabrics are available in white.
Tip: When creating a color plan for the team, choosing at least two tones makes your job easier: a primary color (e.g., navy) and a secondary color for role distinction (e.g., burgundy). Serap Lycra Gabardine's wide shade card allows you to dress the entire team in different colors using the same fabric. This way, the feel, drape, and maintenance remain the same for the whole team.
When Should You Choose Which Fabric?
- Highly active, long-shift teams (nursing, emergency, intensive care, physiotherapy): Serap Lycra Gabardine. Highest Lycra ratio and full opacity.
- If the institution has its own color code or requires many different colors: Serap Lycra Gabardine. It meets almost every tone with its 127-color shade card.
- If scrubs are also part of the institutional image (doctor's office, aesthetic and dental clinic): Oğuz Super Alpaca. Its draped, slightly shiny surface gives scrubs an elegant look.
- If you want flexibility but are also mindful of the budget: Lycra Polyviscose Alpaca. Offers the comfort of Lycra at a more affordable price.
Short Summary
- Most elastic and widest color option → Serap Lycra Gabardine
- Most elegant appearance → Oğuz Super Alpaca
- Price / performance → Lycra Polyviscose Alpaca
Care Tips to Extend the Life of Colored Scrubs
- All three of our fabrics are suitable for washing at 30°C on a low spin cycle. Wash colored scrubs separately from whites and other color groups.
- We recommend washing dark and vibrant colors (burgundy, navy, fuchsia) separately for the first few washes.
- Washing scrubs inside out reduces surface friction and helps the color stay vibrant for longer.
- For fabrics with Lycra (Serap Lycra Gabardine, Lycra Polyviscose Alpaca), the ironing temperature should be a maximum of 110°C. High heat will eventually reduce the elasticity of the Lycra.
- Oğuz Super Alpaca can be ironed up to 150°C. To prevent shine, iron from the reverse.
- If your institution has a higher-temperature washing or disinfection procedure, we recommend testing the fabric with a small piece before bulk production.
Frequently Asked Questions
Which fabric is most preferred for scrubs?
Due to its elasticity and variety of colors, Lycra gabardine is one of the most common preferences. Those who want a more elegant look turn to alpaca, while those who consider budget and flexibility together opt for Lycra polyviscose alpaca.
What should I pay attention to when buying fabric of the same color for the whole team?
There may be slight tone differences between different production batches of dyed fabrics. We recommend that you purchase the fabric for scrubs to be tailored for the same team at once; this way, all sets will be in the same tone. If you are going to make additional purchases later, you can compare the tone by requesting a sample first.
The color I want is not in stock, what can I do?
You can request a quote on the product page to get information about lead times and yardage for colors not shown in stock.
How many meters of fabric are needed for a scrubs set?
It varies depending on size, height, and model. To simplify the calculation, you can check out our How Many Meters of Fabric Should I Buy? guide.
Can I place a bulk order?
Yes. You can contact us for stock and price information for wholesale orders for hospitals, clinics, and workshops: Request a quote.
There may be a difference between seeing colors on a screen and seeing them in person. You can examine the shade cards side-by-side at our store in Antalya or order samples right away.
