Pose & style reference · Outfits and accessories
Nurse outfit
Also called: nurse costume, nurse uniform, nurse cap, ナース服
In short
A nurse outfit in costume and character design usually means the classic nurse uniform: a white or pale dress, sometimes with an apron, and a small white cap. Real nurses today mostly wear scrubs, a loose short-sleeved top and trousers, so the cap-and-dress look is now mainly a costume or a period detail.
Reference photos
Photos are shown from mfan8.com with credit to the photographers and models. Tap a photo to open the full set.
How the nurse uniform developed
Uniforms for nurses became common in the 19th century as nursing turned into a trained profession. Many were based on the clothing of religious nursing orders or domestic workers: a long dress, a white apron and a cap. Over the 20th century hems rose, aprons disappeared and caps were dropped by most hospitals for hygiene and practicality.
Modern scrubs, plain tops and trousers in solid colours, are easy to wash and change. In fiction the classic white outfit signals a caring or gentle character, while scrubs give a more realistic, medical-drama feel.
Nurse outfit styles
| Style | Key pieces | Feel |
|---|---|---|
| Early 20th century | Long dress, full white apron, large cap, sometimes a cape | Historical |
| Mid-century classic | White button-front dress, belt, small folded cap, white shoes | Iconic, tidy |
| Anime nurse | Pastel pink or blue dress, cap, white tights | Soft, gentle |
| Modern scrubs | V-neck top, drawstring trousers, name badge, lanyard | Realistic, everyday |
How to draw a nurse outfit
- The cap is a small folded shape on top of the head; it sits behind the fringe and needs hair or pins to hold it, so keep it tilted with the head.
- Button-front dresses have a straight placket down the centre; line the buttons up even when the body turns.
- Use pale colours with a darker accent at the belt or piping so the white does not wash out.
- Scrubs are loose and boxy; draw short sleeves wide around the arms and trousers that fold over the shoes.
- Props help: a clipboard, a stethoscope around the neck or a pocket with pens.
Costume tips
Choose a clear era and stay with it; mixing scrubs with a vintage cap looks confused. Keep the outfit clean and pressed, since a nurse uniform is about neatness. Avoid using the red cross emblem on costumes: it is a protected symbol under international law, so many designers use a pink heart or a plus sign in another colour instead.
Friendly, helpful poses suit the character: holding a clipboard to the chest, offering a hand, or checking a watch. Bright, even lighting matches the clinical setting, while warm light makes it feel gentle.
FAQ
Do nurses still wear caps?
Very rarely. Most hospitals stopped using nurse caps decades ago, and nurses now usually wear scrubs.
Why shouldn't a nurse costume use a red cross?
The red cross on white is a protected emblem for medical and humanitarian services under the Geneva Conventions, so costume and game designers usually replace it.
What are scrubs?
Scrubs are simple, washable tops and trousers worn by medical staff, usually in a single solid colour.