Nurses’ Uniforms in the 1800s to 1900s

Through the centuries, the garb of the healer has been of great significance, and it has seen many changes. From shaman robes to the scrubs we recognise today, these uniforms encapsulate the history of medicine and its relationship to the social stratosphere. The vocation of nursing only found its place as a career in the 1800s, though it has existed in many forms throughout history. The uniform that would have been worn in hospitals like St Thomas’ represents the emergence of women as respected healthcare professionals.

Florence Nightingale, who established the first nursing school in 1860, can be credited with initiating the first standard nurse’s uniform. Recognising the value of professionalism and hygiene in the nursing practice, the original uniforms of the late 1800s were supposed to protect nurses from illness, as well as identify them for their profession. The full uniform consists of a grey, floor-length, long-sleeved dress (to prevent against ‘fever’), and of course, the nurse’s cap. Despite the efforts of the ‘fever-proof’ dress, one may notice that the uniforms feature nothing in the way of gloves to keep clean hands or masks.

It is no coincidence that on sight this ‘traditional’ nurse’s uniform resembles a nun’s. Formally, many nursing facilities were in fact monasteries where nuns played nurses, and the uniform pays a sort of homage to that (it is noteworthy that monks, i.e. male nuns throughout history were also charged with care of the sick). The nurse’s cap specifically was modelled after the nun’s habit, originally appearing more veil-like, and was worn for the vague purposes of sanitation.

Though the uniform of the day may not scream practicality, one of the more pragmatic features was the nurse’s chatelaine, the bat-utility belt of its day. Its name derived from the French, meaning ‘Mistress of the Chateau’, and this handy and fashionable accessory was an essential to every lady of the household in the 18th and 19th centuries. It consisted of a sort of metal brooch which was attached to the lady’s belt, with essential items suspended from it.

The chatelaine on display at the museum, for example, features a pencil, embroidery scissors, and a whistle among other items. Nurses habitually wore chatelaines for their utilitarian design, allowing them to carry their essentials hands-free. To date, women’s clothing does not allow sufficiently deep pockets to carry essentials.

An additional artefact of the nurse’s garb featured in the museum is a small collection of reproduction nurses’ badges. As stated, one of the primary functions of the uniform was to identify nurses. Prior to the introduction of uniforms, the nurses in Guy’s hospital wore these badges to identify themselves to staff and patients.

Through the 19th and 20th centuries, the uniform would develop further. This largely reflected social changes, predominantly in regard to the working roles of men and women, taking on a more ‘androgynous’ aesthetic in the 1990s. Additionally, as medicine has advanced, the profession of nursing has required more comfortable and practical clothing for the sake of easy movement and hygiene.

Over the last 160 years of the nursing profession, there is one salient thing to be learned: be good to your nurses, whatever they may be wearing.