Choosing the right outfit for an MRI takes about two minutes of planning and can make your appointment considerably more comfortable. The main rule is simple: avoid metal. Here is everything you need to know before you arrive.
What Should You Wear to an MRI Scan?
Wear loose, comfortable clothing with no metal fastenings. This is the single most important clothing rule for an MRI, and it applies regardless of which part of your body is being scanned.
NHS Inform confirms that if you do not need to wear a gown, you should wear clothes without metal zips, fasteners, buttons, underwire bras, belts, or buckles. Surrey and Sussex Healthcare NHS Trust advises choosing thin cotton-based clothing with minimal layers, as this also helps with cooling during the scan — the magnetic field can cause a mild warming sensation in some patients.
Good choices include:
- A plain t-shirt or cotton top with no metal press studs or zips
- Loose tracksuit bottoms or joggers with an elasticated waistband
- Soft, wireless sports bra or a comfortable bralette
- Slip-on shoes or trainers without metal eyelets
What Clothing to Avoid
Certain everyday items cause problems in the scanning room and should be left at home or be prepared to be removed:
Jeans
Most jeans have metal rivets, metal zips, and metal buttons. They are one of the most common items patients are asked to remove before a scan.
Underwired bras
The metal underwire must be removed before scanning. A wireless bra or soft sports bra is a much easier choice and saves the need to change.
Belts
Any belt with a metal buckle needs to come off. Elasticated waistbands avoid this entirely.
Hoodies and jackets
Many have metal zips, metal drawstring tips, or metal poppers. A plain sweatshirt or cardigan without fastenings is a better option.
Compression garments
Some compression leggings and athletic wear contain metallic fibres in the fabric. If in doubt, opt for plain cotton instead.
Leeds Teaching Hospitals NHS Trust advises that if there is any metal on your clothing near the area being scanned, you may be asked to remove that item of clothing and a gown will be provided.
Does It Matter Which Body Part Is Being Scanned?
Yes, slightly. The area being scanned determines how much of your clothing is relevant.
For head, brain, or neck scans, your clothing from the shoulders down is generally not a concern. Focus on removing all metal from the head and neck area — hairpins, earrings, necklaces, and piercings.
For chest or cardiac scans, avoid underwired bras and anything with metal across the chest. ECG stickers are attached to the chest during cardiac MRI, so easy access matters. If you are having an ECG heart health check-up as part of your cardiac assessment, the same principle applies.
For spine, abdomen, or pelvic scans, the focus shifts to your lower half. Avoid jeans, belts, and anything with metal fastenings around the waist or hips. Loose trousers or joggers are the simplest choice.
For knee, ankle, or foot scans, most of your clothing is irrelevant to the scan itself. Wear whatever is comfortable and easy to remove from the lower leg if needed.
Will You Need to Change Into a Hospital Gown?
Sometimes — but not always. Whether you need a gown depends on which part of your body is being scanned and whether your clothing is already metal-free.
NHS Inform confirms that depending on which part of your body is being scanned, you may need to wear a hospital gown during the procedure. The Royal Marsden NHS Trust advises that when you arrive for your appointment, it is advisable to wear clothing without metal fastenings — alternatively, they can provide a hospital gown or pyjamas.
If you arrive in entirely metal-free clothing, many clinics will allow you to stay in your own clothes throughout. This is one of the reasons arriving dressed appropriately saves time and avoids any awkwardness on the day.
When a gown is provided, you will be directed to a changing room with a secure locker for your belongings. Your dignity and privacy are maintained throughout — only the area being scanned is exposed, and you remain covered otherwise.
What Jewellery and Accessories Should You Remove?
All of it. Every piece of metal jewellery and every metal accessory must be removed before you enter the scanning room, without exception.
This includes:
- Rings, earrings, necklaces, and bracelets
- Body piercings of any kind
- Watches and fitness trackers
- Hair clips, kirby grips, and metallic hairbands
- Hearing aids
- Glasses and spectacle frames
- Removable dental work such as retainers or partial dentures
Royal Devon University Healthcare NHS Foundation Trust advises attending with clothing that has no clips, zips, or belt fastenings, and removing all metal accessories before the scan.
Leave valuables at home where possible. Most clinics provide secure lockers for items you do bring, but a lost or damaged item of jewellery or a watch with a damaged magnetic strip is easily avoided by not bringing it in the first place. Credit and debit cards should also be left outside the scanning room, as the magnetic field can erase or damage the card’s strip.
What About Make-Up and Cosmetics?
Make-up is a less obvious consideration, but it is worth knowing about before your appointment.
Leeds Teaching Hospitals NHS Trust specifically advises not wearing cosmetics with magnetic substances — including magnet-attached eyelashes — and ensuring any previously applied make-up of this type is fully removed on the day. Royal Devon NHS advises avoiding heavy eye make-up, as this can affect the quality of some scans.
Some mascaras, eyeshadows, and eyeliners contain iron oxide or other metallic pigments. These particles can interact with the magnetic field, causing a mild warming sensation around the eye area and occasionally affecting image quality near the head.
Magnetic eyelashes — which use tiny magnets as their adhesive mechanism — must be removed before scanning without exception. Standard press-on lashes attached with glue are fine.
Skin lotions, moisturisers, and sun cream do not pose a problem for most MRI scans. However, for cardiac MRI where ECG electrodes are attached to the chest, any lotion applied to the chest area should be washed off beforehand, as it can reduce electrode adhesion and affect monitoring quality.
Frequently Asked Questions
- Can I wear a sports bra for an MRI?
Yes, provided it is wireless and has no metal clasps, hooks, or underwire. A soft, wireless sports bra or bralette is the ideal choice for any scan involving the chest or upper body.
- Can I wear earrings to an MRI?
No. All earrings — including small studs — must be removed before entering the scanning room. If you have a new piercing that cannot be removed, let the MRI team know in advance so they can advise.
- What happens if I forget and wear metal to my MRI?
You will be asked to remove the item before the scan. If it is an item of clothing that cannot easily be removed, a gown will be provided. The scan will still go ahead in most cases — it just adds a few minutes to your preparation time.
- Can I wear my own clothes or do I have to wear a gown?
If your clothing is entirely metal-free, many clinics will allow you to stay in your own clothes. If there is any metal near the area being scanned, a gown will be provided. Arriving in suitable clothing is the easiest way to avoid needing to change.
- Can I wear nail varnish to an MRI?
Standard nail varnish is fine for most MRI scans. Some metallic or glitter nail polishes contain metal particles and may cause a slight warming sensation, but this is uncommon. If you are having a scan of the hands or fingers, it is worth removing nail varnish beforehand to avoid any interference with image quality.