Should Doctors Have a Dress Code Beyond the White Coat?

Reevaluating Professionalism, Identity, and Trust in Modern Medical Attire

In every hospital hallway, clinic room, and ward corridor, there’s a uniform that speaks before the doctor does: the white coat. Crisp, clean, symbolic. For over a century, it has represented science, authority, and trust.

But beneath that coat—what should a doctor wear?

Is there an unspoken (or enforced) dress code beyond the white coat?
Should there be?
And what does our attire actually say about our competence, credibility, and care?

While many believe “a good doctor can wear anything,” the reality is more complex. Patients, colleagues, and institutions often hold deep, sometimes unconscious biases about appearance. In an era that values both individual expression and professional standards, the question is more relevant than ever:
Should doctors have a dress code beyond the white coat—or should we finally let it go?

The White Coat: Icon or Illusion?

The white coat has long been a symbol of cleanliness, trust, and professionalism. For many patients, it provides visual reassurance: This person is qualified to help me.

But here’s the truth:

Not all doctors wear them anymore. In some specialties like psychiatry or pediatrics, white coats can feel intimidating. Infection control guidelines in certain hospitals now discourage long sleeves and ties. And some doctors feel the white coat upholds unnecessary hierarchy that contradicts efforts toward more patient-centered care.

So if the white coat is fading in some settings, what takes its place? And who decides?

What Patients Actually Notice (and Judge)

Research shows that patients do care about how doctors dress—but what they prefer varies.

Studies reveal that:

• Formal attire with a white coat is generally preferred in primary care and surgical settings
  
  
• Scrubs are favored in emergency medicine and hospital-based specialties
  
  
• Casual clothing is seen as more approachable in mental health and pediatric settings

But appearance is often subconsciously tied to deeper qualities in patients’ minds, such as:

• Perceived competence
  
  
• Cleanliness
  
  
• Authority
  
  
• Trustworthiness

So, while patients may say “I don’t care what they wear as long as they’re good,” they might still instinctively trust the doctor in tailored slacks over the one in jeans and sneakers.

The Reality of Unspoken Dress Codes

Even without formal policies, most hospitals and clinics carry an unwritten standard:

• Don’t look sloppy
  
  
• Don’t be distracting
  
  
• Don’t outshine the patient
  
  
• Dress like you’re in control

But what does that actually mean? It varies wildly depending on:

• Specialty
  
  
• Geography
  
  
• Cultural norms
  
  
• Gender
  
  
• Institutional leadership

A neatly tattooed doctor in scrubs might be admired in one hospital and judged in another. A doctor in heels may be praised for elegance—or criticized for vanity.

The problem? Ambiguity creates inequality. And without clarity, bias often fills the void.

Gender and the Double Standard in Medical Dress

Female doctors often face much stricter scrutiny for their clothing choices:

Too formal? They’re “trying too hard.”
Too casual? They’re seen as “unprofessional.”
Makeup? “Distracting.”
No makeup? “Tired.”
Heels? “Impractical.”
Flats? “Too plain.”
Skirt? “Inappropriate.”
Pants? “Too masculine.”

And let’s not forget the persistent “nurse assumption,” where women in scrubs or informal attire are still frequently mistaken for non-physician staff—even with name tags and credentials clearly visible.

Male doctors, by contrast, often get away with wearing the same shoes every day, skipping ironing, layering hoodies over scrubs, or appearing minimally groomed without a second thought.

If we’re going to talk about dress codes, we need to confront these gendered expectations too.

Cultural and Religious Dress: Where Inclusion Meets Bias

Doctors from diverse backgrounds may wear:

• Hijabs
  
  
• Turbans
  
  
• Beards of religious significance
  
  
• Modest clothing in accordance with faith

These expressions of identity should never be seen as “unprofessional.” Yet, some still face quiet pushback or receive subtle signals suggesting that they are “too traditional” or “not modern enough.”

In a multicultural world, professionalism must expand to include respect for cultural and religious attire—not penalize it. A truly inclusive healthcare environment recognizes the value of diversity not just in language or training, but also in appearance.

Expression vs. Professionalism: Can They Coexist?

What about doctors with:

• Pink or blue hair?
  
  
• Visible tattoos?
  
  
• Piercings?
  
  
• Colorful sneakers or funky socks?
  
  
• Slogan t-shirts under the white coat?

Here’s the deal: self-expression is not inherently unprofessional if the care is excellent, the hygiene is maintained, and the patient feels respected.

Medicine is evolving. The newer generations of physicians want to be seen as whole people—not just as sterile images of perfection. Expression doesn’t dilute competence. In many cases, it actually enhances relatability, especially among patients who may feel marginalized, anxious, or alienated.

This especially resonates in adolescent medicine, community health, psychiatry, or even internal medicine, where building trust and rapport is as crucial as clinical accuracy.

Infection Control and the Practical Argument

From a strictly clinical standpoint, some attire decisions do affect hygiene:

• Long sleeves, neckties, and dangling jewelry can harbor pathogens
  
  
• Open-toed shoes are inappropriate for clinical settings
  
  
• Excess accessories may interfere with personal protective equipment use or even patient safety

So yes—some dress code elements are grounded in evidence-based safety concerns rather than aesthetics. But that still leaves significant room for individuality and comfort, as long as the basic requirements are met.

Should There Be a Standardized Dress Code?

Let’s weigh the arguments.

Arguments for a dress code:

• Maintains uniformity and avoids distracting appearances
  
  
• Reinforces professionalism, especially in hierarchical settings
  
  
• Reduces patient bias by aligning with traditional expectations
  
  
• Sets a clear baseline to avoid extreme or inappropriate attire

Arguments against a dress code:

• Reinforces outdated hierarchies and aesthetic norms
  
  
• Limits cultural, personal, and gender expression
  
  
• Ignores the diversity of specialties and working environments
  
  
• Can unintentionally target or exclude marginalized groups
  
  
• Conflates appearance with competence—which isn’t accurate or fair

The middle ground? Guidelines rather than rules. Clear expectations on hygiene and appropriateness—without controlling individuality or penalizing those who challenge outdated norms.

What Really Defines a Professional Doctor?

Let’s step away from garments for a moment and focus on substance. A professional doctor is one who:

• Shows up prepared and ready to work
  
  
• Communicates clearly and empathetically
  
  
• Maintains cleanliness and respect for sterile environments
  
  
• Treats patients and colleagues with dignity
  
  
• Upholds ethical standards in all decisions

If a doctor fulfills these responsibilities, their hairstyle, shoe brand, or sleeve color should be irrelevant.

Redefining Respect in the Clinic

Respect isn’t stitched into fabric or sewn into the seams of a blazer. It’s built through:

• Showing up consistently
  
  
• Demonstrating clinical competence
  
  
• Practicing cultural humility
  
  
• Acknowledging mistakes and learning from them
  
  
• Prioritizing patient dignity and autonomy

A doctor who earns trust will be respected, regardless of whether they wear a tie, a turban, a scrub cap, or a set of funky sneakers. Respect isn’t about matching outfits—it’s about matching the expectations of compassionate, competent care.

Final Word: Beyond the Coat Lies the Human

So—should doctors have a dress code beyond the white coat?

Maybe. But if one must exist, it should be:

• Rooted in hygiene and safety, not elitism
  
  
• Guided by inclusion, not exclusion
  
  
• Flexible to accommodate culture, comfort, and individuality
  
  
• Focused on performance, not presentation

Because at the end of the day, the best-dressed doctor is not the one with the most polished shoes, but the one who earns the patient’s trust.

Let’s create space for both professionalism and personality—under, within, and beyond the white coat.