So, how should scrubs fit? Well-fitting scrubs let you reach, bend, squat and sit without pulling, gaping or riding up, and they’re neat enough to look professional without feeling tight. The shoulder seams should sit at your shoulders, the waistband should stay put without digging in, and the pant hem should land where you want it without dragging. Here’s how to check each area.
How Scrubs Should Fit: The Quick Checklist
Use this list when you try on a new set:
- Shoulders: Seams sit at the edge of your shoulders, not halfway down your arm.
- Chest: The top lies flat without pulling across the front or gaping at the neckline.
- Top length: The hem covers your waistband when you raise your arms.
- Waist: The waistband stays in place without being cinched so tight it leaves marks.
- Seat and thighs: There’s room to squat without the fabric straining.
- Pant length: The hem doesn’t drag on the floor or ride up high when you sit.
Scrub Tops: Shoulders, Chest and Length
Start with the shoulders, because they’re the hardest thing to adjust. If the seams hang well past your shoulder, the top is probably too big. If they pull toward your neck, it’s too small.
Next, check the neckline. A V-neck, the most common neckline in our collection, should lie flat when you lean forward. The mock wrap top in our Women’s Mock Wrap Scrub Set has back ties and side vents, so check how it sits at both the front and back.
Finally, raise your arms overhead. If your midsection shows, try a different size or style. Side vents, which many of our tops have, add a little extra room at the hips.
Keep in mind that different tops are cut differently. The Men’s Luxe Stretch Jogger Scrub Set has an athletic fit with a slim, tapered silhouette, while the Wink WorkFlex tops are described as a classic fit. The Women’s Stretch V-Neck 2-Pocket Scrub Set has a modern, slightly relaxed fit.
Scrub Pants: Waist, Rise and Length
The waistband does most of the work on scrub pants. Most of our styles use some combination of elastic and drawstring, so you can fine-tune the fit. You’ll also find a soft ribbed waistband on the Women’s Ultra-Soft Luxe Stretch Jogger Scrub Set and a ribbed-knit waistband with adjustable drawcord on the Jaanuu Xenos petite pants.
Rise is the distance from the crotch seam to the waistband. Our styles include mid-rise, high-waist and low-rise options. Pick the rise you’d choose in everyday pants, then confirm it stays comfortable when you sit down.
Length depends on the leg style. Jogger pants have a cuff that holds the hem at your ankle, so they’re a little more forgiving. Straight-leg pants should reach the top of your shoe without bunching or dragging. If you’re weighing the two, our guide to jogger scrubs vs straight leg scrubs covers the trade-offs.
If you’re on the shorter side, petite sizing can solve a lot of length problems. The Jaanuu Xenos Women’s Essential Knit-Waist Scrub Pants – Petite are tailored for petite with a mid-rise, classic fit. You can browse every petite option in our petite fit collection, and our petite scrubs guide goes into more detail.
The Movement Test
Scrubs that look fine standing still can feel very different mid-shift. Before you take the tags off, try these moves at home:
- Reach overhead as if grabbing something from a high shelf. Your top shouldn’t ride up past your waistband.
- Squat down as if picking something up from the floor. The pants shouldn’t pull tight across your hips or slide down at the back.
- Lean forward over a table. The neckline shouldn’t gape open.
- Sit down for a minute. The waistband shouldn’t dig in, and the pant hem shouldn’t climb far up your leg.
- Walk briskly around the room. Nothing should twist, sag or need constant adjusting.
Doing this before you wear or wash your scrubs matters, because returns must be unworn, unwashed and in original condition with the original tags attached.
Scrub Sizing Tips: Fabric and Cut Change the Fit
Two scrubs in the same size can fit quite differently. A few things to keep in mind:
- Stretch blends: Fabrics with spandex, such as our 93% polyester, 7% spandex jogger sets, give you more room to move, so a closer fit can still feel comfortable.
- Poly-cotton blends: Styles in a 65% polyester, 35% cotton blend don’t have spandex, so leave a little more room if you like freedom of movement. The Wink WorkFlex pieces use this blend with mechanical stretch.
- Unisex styles: The Unisex 2-Pocket Scrub Set (BP101) and the Unisex Cargo Solid V-Neck Scrub Set (BP102) run large. For a fitted look in unisex scrubs, size down; for a relaxed fit, choose your true size.
- Your preference: Our scrubs fit true to size with natural stretch. Size down if you like a snug fit, or size up for a relaxed fit.
Using Our Scrubs Size Guide
Size ranges differ from style to style, so each product page lists the sizes available for that item. Our scrubs size guide shows the size range for every style in one place, along with fit notes for unisex scrubs.
If your top and bottom sizes are different, consider separates such as the Wink WorkFlex tops and pants, so you can choose each piece in the size that fits. Still unsure? Contact us with your usual size and the style you like, and we’ll help you choose.
If the Fit Isn’t Quite Right
Even with careful measuring, sometimes a size just doesn’t work. We offer exchanges for size and color while the item is still in stock. Returns are accepted within 14 days of delivery for items that are unworn, unwashed, in original condition and with original tags. Our return and exchange policy explains how to request one.
Frequently Asked Questions
Should scrubs be loose or fitted?
That’s personal preference, but either way you should be able to move freely without the fabric pulling or getting in your way. Stretch blends let you wear a closer fit comfortably.
Do unisex scrubs run large?
Some do. In our collection, the Unisex 2-Pocket Scrub Set (BP101) and Unisex Cargo Solid V-Neck Scrub Set (BP102) run large, so consider sizing down if you want a fitted look.
How long should scrub pants be?
Straight-leg scrub pants should reach the top of your shoe without dragging on the floor. Jogger scrub pants gather at the ankle with a cuff, so the length is a little more forgiving.
The right fit makes a long shift easier from the first hour to the last. Check the sizes on the product page, run through the movement test, and reach out if you’d like a hand finding your size.
