David L Ryan/Globe Staff

Models posed for the Work 'N Gear catalogue in scrubs that have gone from utilitarian to fashionable.

David L Ryan/Globe Staff

Work 'N Gear, a Quincy firm best known for overalls and construction boots, has pivoted toward the booming business for stylish hospital duds.

David L Ryan/Globe Staff

Michelle McGrath prepared model Lealyn MacAlister for the photo shoot, part of the company's all-out marketing effort to make scrubs fashionable.

David L Ryan/Globe Staff

The Quincy company hired a design guru to create Scrubology, a private label featuring colorful prints and tailored fits.

David L Ryan/Globe Staff

Hospitals often issue traditional scrubs to their employees for free, but health workers must pay for designer duds out of their own pockets.

David L Ryan/Globe Staff

Work ‘N Gear has opened Scrubology boutiques inside 90 Sears and Kmart department stores across the country.

David L Ryan/Globe Staff

With its huge hospital scene, Boston is seen as a major market for scrubs.

David L Ryan/Globe Staff

However fashionable, all scrubs are still required to meet certain national standards and infection control requirements.

JOSH REYNOLDS FOR THE BOSTON GLOBE

Jillian Caulfield, seen here with fellow MGH nurse Jennifer Kelly, wears fashionable scrubs rather than those issued by the hospital.

JOSH REYNOLDS FOR THE BOSTON GLOBE

Caufield, 26, works in the ICU and estimates she has spent about $1,500 on stylish scrubs in the past year.

Pat Greenhouse/Globe Staff

Work 'N Gear buyer Lisa Waugh showed the new fall products at a review for fall fashion scrubs.

Pat Greenhouse/Globe Staff

Waugh helped spearhead Work 'N Gear's Scrubology line and weighs in on every detail.

Pat Greenhouse/Globe Staff

Products in the Koi line, made by a California designer, helped start the scrubs revolution and can cost as much as $32 each.

Pat Greenhouse/Globe Staff

Along with Koi, Med Couture pioneered the push beyond bland, utilitarian garb for nurses, physicians, dentists, and medical students.