Updated on April 5th, 2023 at 08:19 pm
As an overweight woman in nursing, shopping for scrubs sucks. It feels like companies don’t always consider plus size women and offer extended sizes.
Over the years, I’ve gone through the highs and lows of finding plus-size work scrubs. Through my trial and error, I am here to share a few plus size scrub pants and tops that impress me most.
Top scrubs for curvy body shapes
Carhartt Women’s Cross Flex Utility Boot Cut Scrub
Best scrub pants
I am absolutely in love with these scrub pants! They just had to be my top choice. These pants don’t care if you have chubby thighs. They’ll outlast the friction and offer more function and convenience.
This cross-flex scrub pant is my top choice because it features Fast-dry technology and Stain Breaker technology, which help you remain dry and clean throughout your shifts.
This pair of scrubs is made from a blend of spandex and polyester, making it stretchy yet non-restrictive for the ultimate in comfortable scrub pants. But that’s not all; it also has rear patch pockets, cargo pockets, oversized front patch pockets, and a pen holder on its side pockets for added functionality.
I love that these are full drawstring waist scrub pants, complete with an elastic band at the back for optimal comfort. Carhartt does a great job of providing a range of sizes up to 3XL (petite and tall) for plus size women.
Pros
- No wear between the thighs
- Breathable design
- Regular washing removes all stains
Cons
- The sizing is off
- The white is a bit see-through
- The legs are wide
Dickies Xtreme Stretch Women’s V-Neck Scrub Top
Best scrub top
Previous scrub tops had me looking like a potato, but these Dickies Xtreme Stretch V-neck scrub tops accentuate my curves without showing off my folds and rolls.
I consider this one of the best scrub tops on our list because of its 4-way stretch fabric (a polyester, spandex, and rayon blend of fabrics) that allows for ease of movement. It’s also smooth and resists wrinkles, which makes it easy to care for while on a busy schedule.
Aside from this, I found the V-neck design to be a refreshing addition to its style, while the deep front patch pockets are a functional addition.
As a big girl, you’ll be happy to note that Dickies offers a variety of sizes ranging from large to 5XL. This is easily the top choice for healthcare professionals.
Pros
- Lightweight fabric
- It doesn’t shrink after a wash
- For animal lovers, fur doesn’t stick to it as it does to cotton
Cons
- The red one bleeds when washed
- Not ideal for those looking for a snug fit
Cherokee Women’s 759 V-Neck Tunic
If you are like me and love pretty outfits, you’ll love this tunic.
Instead of plain fabric, CHEROKEE offers a beautiful and lovable heartbeat print. Aside from this, it also comes with a flattering V-neck design and dolman sleeves, which improve ventilation without showing off the bra.
For practicality, it’s made from a blend of cotton and polyester, which feels great on the skin and has deep patch pockets to hold medical essentials and your cell phone.
Extended sizing up to 5 XL, which doesn’t shrink after washing.
Pros
- The fabric is thick and doesn’t show your undergarments
- The pocket sewing is well done
- It doesn’t need regular ironing
Cons
- The size runs a little too big
- It is wide at the shoulders and tight at the hem
Grey’s Anatomy Pants & Jumpsuits Active Women’s Scrub
You don’t have to be a Grey’s Anatomy fan to love this Grey’s Anatomy Plus Size Scrub Pant.
These pants are a rayon polyester blend. For comfort, the Grey’s Anatomy Plus Size Scrub pants have an elastic waistband finished with a knit drawstring waist to keep the pants up always.
From a practical point of view, it has four pant pockets: two on the hips and two on the back. Also, it has a straight fit design complete with side vents and reverse cover-stitching on the front leg seaming for added durability.
Speaking of inseams, it has three lengths to choose from: regular (31.5″), petite (29.5″), and tall (33.5″).
Pros
- Tall and elastic waist which hides the tummy without digging into the flesh
- Soft and comfortable
- Machine wash
Cons
- Shrink when thrown in a dryer
- The fabric attracts a lot of hair and lint
Cherokee Workwear Women’s Top
The CHEROKEE Workwear scrub tops are well made and stylish. They come in a V-neck design with short sleeves and are available in a wide range of sizes from XXS to 5XL.
These classic stretch scrub tops are made from a blend of Rayon, Polyester, and Spandex. This comfortable combination allows me to bend and raise my arms without them restricting my movement.
And though it is a classic mock-wrap design, I am pleased with the functionality that CHEROKEE added by including the front shoulder yokes and patch pockets with interior pockets at the front.
To top it all off, it has back, and front princess seams complete with side vents that offer access to my pants’ back pockets.
Pros
- Has an instrument loop
- Available in a variety of colors
- The fabric holds heat to keep you warm
Cons
- The V-neck can be too low for some
- The material is a little thin
Women’s Cherokee Pant Workwear Mid Rise Moderate Flare Drawstring
With the number of CHEROKEE products on this list, it’s obvious CHEROKEE knows its stuff. CHEROKEE did a great job infusing style, comfort, and durability at a reasonable price.
The pant is made from a blend of Spandex Twill, Rayon, and Polyester at 2%, 20%, and 78%, respectively. The blend makes the pants super soft and comfortable while still preserving their durability.
They feature a midrise waist with an elastic band at the back. Like most pants, they have front patch pockets, back pockets, cargo pockets, and side vents to keep you cool as you tend to your patients. For large women, CHEROKEE has this pant in a size 5XL.
Pros
- Bright colors available
- Bi-stretch
- Perfect length
- The material doesn’t attract lint
Cons
- The white is see-through to dark underwear
- Loose around the ankles
- Bigger waist size
Dickies Women’s Top V-Neck
Dickies offers a wide range of cool designs and size options with this V-neck top from XL to 5XL. For comfort and easy care, Dickies made this plus-sized scrub top from a blend of spandex, cotton, and polyester, which feels great on the skin.
The V-neck classic design is not too low that it exposes too much. From a functional perspective, the plus-size scrub top has two patch pockets complete with instrument slots on the front.
To ensure durability, the top has multi-needle stitching that can withstand a great deal of pressure.
Pros
- Variety of colorful print
- The cut accentuates your curves without revealing any folds
- It’s sufficiently long
Cons
- Shrinks after washing
- The top feels a little stiff
Dickies EDS Signature Women’s Pull-On Scrub Pant
A quick look at Dickies Signature Scrub Pants, and I could tell they are comfortable and will take me through a hard day at work with great ease. Since these pants are made from a blend of polyester and cotton, they are machine washable and dryer safe, making them easy to care for.
The waist has a natural rise design, is tapered, and has an elastic band to keep it in place. As a curvy lady, you’ll love that the tapered design will subtly show off your curves.
For added functionality, these cargo scrub pants have a cargo pocket on both sides and a knot interior pocket to keep things safe. These scrubs are available in a wide range of large sizes (up to 5XL) and multiple color options.
Pros
- Perfect length
- Durable elastic waistband
- Affordable
Cons
- The waist is a bit tight
- Shallow front pockets
the Best plus size scrubs are…
Carhartt Women’s Cross Flex Utility Boot Cut Scrub
My top choice for the best scrub bottoms is the Carhartt Women’s Cross-Flex Boot Cut Utility Scrub for its FastDry and Stain Breaker, which make their care easy.
Dickies Women’s Top V-Neck
My top pick for the best scrub top is the Dickies Women’s Xtreme Stretch V-Neck Scrub Top for its stretchy material used, as well as the princess seams at the back, which give them a flattering shape.
If you choose these pants and top, you’ll feel comfortable and pull off a stylish look in otherwise ‘boring’ attire.
What are the best scrubs for plus size?
Moreover, I love that it has a FastDry and No Stain technology.
Do scrubs fit big?
What do I do if my scrubs are too big?
If your scrubs are too large, then you can shrink them with a washing machine and a dryer. Remember, Scrubs made from 100% cotton shrink faster than those made from a blend.
How do I look thinner in scrubs?
- Choose the perfect size. Anything too large will make you look unshapely and baggy. Anything too tight will define your folds.
- Go for a dark color or one that compliments your skin tone. You can also opt for a color that you receive the most compliments in.
- Over the years, I’ve learned to mix and match scrub pants and tops. This tip is a God send for plus size professionals with ‘odd’ shapes.