6 Tips for Choosing Women’s Scrub Pants

The best scrub pants are functional and flattering, but finding this winning combination can be oh so difficult. To help you out, we’ve put together a guide to walk you through the six steps of choosing the best women’s scrub pants: taking your measurements, picking your size, deciding on the proper scrub fit, choosing your fabric options, selecting your favorite colors and thinking about what features you need. Below, we’ll explore the importance of proper scrub fit, from classic fit to tapered leg, and how they affect your professional performance.

How Should Scrub Pants Fit?

Scrub pants come in various fits that cater to different body types and workplace requirements. Each scrubs fit has its unique benefits and can significantly impact mobility and professionalism on the job:

• Slim-Fit: These scrubs pants hug closer to the body, offering a streamlined silhouette that’s becoming increasingly popular among younger healthcare professionals.
• Classic Fit: Offers more room and comfort, ideal for those who prefer a traditional look and feel.
• Tapered Leg: Scrub pants that gradually narrow towards the ankle, providing a balance between a slim-fit and a relaxed style.
• Straight Leg: A universally flattering style that falls straight down from the hip, suitable for all body types.

Take your measurements

The first step to choosing any clothing, including women’s uniform pants, is to take your body measurements. To ensure you select the perfect fit for your scrub pants, measure three different locations:

• Waist: Measure just under the natural waistline (i.e., the smallest part of your waist), taking care not to pull the tape measure too tightly.
• Hips: Stand with your feet together and measure around the fullest part of the hips.
• Inseam: Measure along the inside of the leg to an inch below the ankle.

Mark down your measurements and then compare them to each brand’s size chart. This last step is critical, as sizes can vary from line to line, and you might be an 8 in one brand but a 10 in another. Utilizing a scrubs size chart and fit guide can help you interpret these measurements correctly.

Pick your size

Most major brands offer regular, petite, tall and plus sizes to ensure you can find the perfect fit no matter what. Here’s the difference between these four options:

• Petite: Intended for nurses who are 5'4" and shorter, these scrubs feature shorter hems but use the same sizing conventions as regular length pants otherwise.
• Tall: Intended for nurses who are 5'9" and taller, these scrubs feature longer hems but use the same sizing conventions as regular length pants otherwise.
• Plus Size: Different scrub brands follow different sizing conventions, but if you wear a size 12 and up, consider plus size styles.
• Regular: If you don’t fall under any of the above categories, you should look into regular size scrubs. These scrubs are intended for women who aren’t particularly short or tall and who typically wear a 0 to 12 in everyday apparel.
• Athletic Builds: Look for scrubs pants with stretchable materials and an athletic style waistband for better movement.

Choose your true size if you prefer your scrub pants to be more fitted, or size up for roomier clothes.

Decide on the best fit

Once you’ve taken your measurements and decided on the right size, it’s time to choose a fit. There are general four main styles when it comes to scrub pants:

• Missy Fit: These pants have a more traditional silhouette, sitting just below your natural waist. The legs are relaxed through the hip, seat and thigh and give you plenty of room to move.
• Junior Fit: These pants have a lower rise, usually closer to your hip line. The legs are more fitted through the hip and thigh for a more streamlined look compared to the missy fit.
• Unisex Fit: Unisex scrubs are made to fit both men and women, so a small will be closer to a men’s size than women’s. The overall fit is a basic natural waistline and a straight leg. For unisex scrubs, women should usually order one size down from what they normally wear.
• Athletic Style: This cut is designed to move with you, offering a moderate rise waist and special features such as mesh perforations or knit panels. Waistbands are usually adjustable or stretchy for extra comfort.

Choose your fabric options

Not all scrub fabrics are created equal. Most women’s scrub pants are made from various blends of popular fibers, such as cotton, polyester, rayon, and spandex. The choice between cotton and synthetic blends in medical scrubs affects both fit and comfort:

• Cotton: Offers breathability and comfort, but may shrink slightly after washing in hot water. It’s recommended to wash in cold water with a detergent or color-safe bleach.
• Synthetic Blends: Provides durability and flexibility, which is important for scrubs pants that need to withstand frequent washing.

The scrub fabrics have different properties depending on the percentage of each fiber, as well as the weave and finish from various blends of popular fibers, such as cotton, polyester, rayon and spandex. The fabrics have different properties depending on the percentage of each fiber, as well as the weave and finish.

Select your favorite colors

Scrub pants come in literally dozens of colors in all shades of the rainbow. While you don’t typically see allover prints in pants like you do tops, there are still plenty of hues that ensure you find the exact shade you’ve been looking for. You can opt for a classic neutral like black, white or grey, or go wild with bright colors like hot fuschia and icy purple.

Think about what features you need

Depending on the design, scrub pants may offer different features such as antimicrobial fabric treatments, pockets of all sizes, mesh vents for breathability, knit panels for extra movement, drawstring and/or elastic waists and more. Use these features to narrow down your selection and make your final purchase.

Find The Right Fit

Our guide highlights the significance of finding the right scrub fit, encouraging healthcare professionals to explore various styles and brands to find what works best for your needs and preferences.

Hopefully, we've helped you choose the right scrub pants from the outset—but if you don’t, allheart.com offers a convenient, flexible return policy to ensure that you’re totally satisfied with your new scrub pants. If you have questions about a specific brand’s sizing or fit chart, our customer service representatives will be happy to help find the perfect scrub pants for you.

Scrub Pants Fit FAQs

How tight should scrub pants be for optimal movement?

Scrub pants should offer a balance between being snug enough to ensure they stay in place and loose enough to allow free movement. Ideally, they should not constrict any part of your body or limit your range of motion. Slim-fit scrubs might feel tighter, but should still allow you to perform tasks comfortably without pulling or pinching.

What is the difference between classic fit and slim-fit scrubs?

The classic fit offers a more relaxed and roomier feel, which is preferred by those looking for comfort and ease of movement during long shifts. On the other hand, slim-fit scrubs provide a more tailored appearance, hugging closer to the body for a more modern and streamlined look.

How do I choose the right size scrub pants if I'm between sizes?

When between sizes in scrub pants, it's crucial to refer to the size guide. Consider the material of the scrubs, as some fabrics may offer more stretch than others. Generally, if you prefer a tighter fit, select the smaller size, but if you value comfort over fit, opt for the larger size. Additionally, some of our scrub brands offer drawstring waists that can adjust to better fit your body.

What are the best scrub pants for tall healthcare professionals?

For tall healthcare professionals, the best tall scrub pants are those specifically labeled as "tall." These pants have longer inseams that provide adequate coverage without riding up during activities. Brands typically offer a variety of options in tall sizes, ensuring that the pants are both functional and flattering.