For any ultrasound appointment, the best choice is loose, comfortable clothing that gives easy access to the area being scanned. A two-piece outfit works better than a dress or jumpsuit because you’ll only need to expose the specific body part the technologist needs to reach. In many cases, you’ll be asked to remove clothing and jewelry near the scan site, and you may need to change into a hospital gown.
Beyond that general rule, what you wear depends on which type of ultrasound you’re having. Here’s what to plan for based on your specific exam.
Abdominal and Pelvic Ultrasounds
These scans require full access to your stomach and lower abdomen, so your top and bottoms both matter. A shirt you can pull up to your ribcage is ideal. For your lower half, pants or a skirt with an elastic waistband that slides down easily will save you from fumbling with buttons or zippers on the exam table. You’ll need to expose skin from just below your chest to your hip bones, and the technologist will tuck paper draping into your waistband to protect your clothing from the gel.
Avoid high-waisted jeans, belts, or body-shaping undergarments. These are harder to reposition and can leave compression marks on the skin that temporarily affect image quality. If you show up in something restrictive, you’ll likely be handed a gown, which is fine but adds a few minutes to your visit.
Transvaginal Ultrasounds
For a transvaginal scan, you’ll remove everything from the waist down, including underwear. Cleveland Clinic recommends wearing clothes you can slip out of easily, since you’ll change in a private area and may be given a gown or a drape sheet. The exam is similar in positioning to a pelvic exam, with your knees bent and feet in stirrups.
A loose skirt is a practical option because some facilities will let you keep it on and simply push it up, which can feel less exposed. Whatever you wear on top stays on. Skip tights or pantyhose, which are slower to remove and put back on.
Breast Ultrasounds
You’ll remove your top and bra for this exam, so a button-down or pullover shirt you can take off quickly is a good choice. A separate top and bottom means you keep your pants or skirt on throughout.
The more important preparation here involves what you don’t put on your skin. MedlinePlus advises skipping lotion, powder, and deodorant on the day of your breast ultrasound. These products can leave a residue that interferes with the scan. If your appointment is later in the day and you’ve already applied deodorant, bring a wipe to clean the area before your exam.
Thyroid and Neck Ultrasounds
The transducer needs to glide across your entire neck, from your collarbone to your jawline. Wear a top with a wide, open neckline, or something easy to pull down below your collarbones. Turtlenecks, crew necks, and hoodies all get in the way. A V-neck or button-down shirt works well.
Leave necklaces, chokers, and dangling earrings at home. RadiologyInfo.org notes that you’ll be asked to remove any jewelry in the area being examined, and it’s one less thing to keep track of in an exam room. The same goes for scarves or lanyards.
Leg and Vascular Ultrasounds
Venous or arterial ultrasounds of the legs require access from your upper thigh to your ankle. Shorts are the simplest option. If that’s not practical, wear loose pants that can be rolled up well past the knee, or bring a pair of shorts to change into. Skinny jeans or leggings that only bunch up to mid-calf won’t work, and you’ll end up in a gown.
Slip-on shoes are a small convenience here. You may need to stand briefly during the exam so the technologist can check blood flow with gravity, and getting shoes on and off quickly keeps things moving. Compression stockings, if you wear them, should come off before the scan.
Dealing With Ultrasound Gel
Every ultrasound uses a water-based gel to help the transducer make good contact with your skin. The technologist will wipe most of it off with a towel after the exam, but some residue almost always ends up on clothing, especially along waistbands and necklines. Standard ultrasound gel is clear, water-soluble, and washes out of most fabrics in a normal laundry cycle.
That said, gel can leave visible marks on dark fabrics until washed, particularly on materials like microfiber. If you’re heading somewhere after your appointment, wearing a dark patterned top or bringing a spare shirt can save you from walking around with a shiny streak across your stomach. Some people tuck a small towel or baby wipe in their bag for a quick cleanup in the restroom afterward.
What to Leave at Home
- Jewelry near the scan site: necklaces for neck scans, belly button rings for abdominal scans, bracelets for wrist or arm vascular studies. Anything metal in the scan zone needs to come off, and exam rooms aren’t the best place to store valuables.
- Lotions and oils: these create a slippery barrier that can reduce image quality. Apply moisturizer after your appointment instead.
- Complicated outfits: rompers, bodysuits, overalls, or anything with lots of snaps and layers. You want to get in and out of the exam efficiently.
If you’re unsure what your specific scan requires, call the imaging center when you book. Most front desk staff can tell you exactly what to expect in under a minute. And if you show up in the wrong outfit, every facility has gowns available. It’s not ideal, but it won’t delay or affect your results.