How Scrubs Should Fit: A Sizing Guide for Bulk Orders
Custom Uniforms team · · 5 min read
Well-fitting scrubs sit flat across the shoulders, leave room to reach and bend without pulling at the chest or back, and have trousers that stay put at the waist and end just above the floor. The way to get that across a whole team is to measure a few key points, check them against the supplier’s size chart rather than everyday clothing sizes, and confirm the fit on a sample before the bulk order. Mixed sizes are normal in any team order, and a good order plans for them from the start.
What a good fit looks like
Scrubs are working clothes, so fit is about movement first and appearance second. Check each point with the wearer reaching forward, lifting their arms and squatting.
Scrub top
- Shoulders: the shoulder seam sits at or just past the edge of the shoulder, not halfway down the arm.
- Chest: there is room to cross the arms without the fabric pulling tight across the back.
- Neckline: a V-neck stays modest when leaning over a bed or patient.
- Length: the top covers the waistband of the trousers when the arms are raised.
- Sleeves: short sleeves end mid upper arm and do not ride up into the armpit.
Scrub trousers
- Waist: the drawstring or elastic holds without digging in after a long shift.
- Seat and thigh: enough room to squat or kneel without strain at the seams.
- Rise: the trousers do not slip down when bending.
- Length: the hem ends at the top of the shoe or just above the floor, without dragging.
A fit that is slightly relaxed is usually more practical than a closely tailored one. Tight scrubs wear out faster at the seams, and staff tend to stop wearing them.
How to measure staff
Size labels mean different things from different makers, so measurements are more reliable than “I am a medium”. Use a soft measuring tape and measure over light clothing.
| Measurement | How to take it |
|---|---|
| Chest | Around the fullest part of the chest, under the arms |
| Waist | Around the natural waist, where the trousers will sit |
| Hip | Around the fullest part of the hips |
| Inside leg | From the crotch to the ankle, along the inside of the leg |
| Height | Standing straight, without footwear |
Write the measurements in centimetres and compare them with the supplier’s size chart for the exact style you are ordering. If someone falls between two sizes, the larger size is usually more comfortable for active work, especially in fabrics without stretch.
Tops and trousers in different sizes
Many people need a different size in tops and trousers. A nurse with broad shoulders and slim hips might take a large top and a medium trouser. Do not record one size for the whole set. Record the top size and trouser size separately, and tell your supplier you need them split.
We make scrub suits as sets and also make scrub tops and trousers on their own, so mixed top and trouser sizes and later replacements are straightforward.
Men’s and women’s fits
Women’s scrubs are often cut with more shaping at the waist and a different neckline, while men’s fits are straighter and longer in the body. Some teams prefer one unisex style for simplicity. Others order separate fits so that everyone is comfortable. Our standard sizes run from XS to 3XL, with separate men’s and women’s fits, and custom measurements on request for staff who do not fit the standard range.
Decide this before collecting sizes, so staff try on the fit they will actually receive.
Mixed sizes in a bulk order
A team of 40 people will rarely need the same size. A typical order spreads across five or six sizes, with a few people at each end of the range. A few practical points:
- Mixed sizes are fine within the minimum. Our minimum order is 30 sets, and sizes can be mixed across that quantity.
- Collect sizes on one sheet, one row per person, with top size, trouser size, fit and any length notes.
- Add a few spares in the most common sizes for new joiners and replacements.
- Include people on leave or night shift. Guessed sizes are where most exchanges come from.
For a step-by-step method, see our guide to collecting staff sizes for a bulk scrubs order.
Use the sample to check fit
One paid sample set is made in your chosen fabric, colour and style before bulk production, and its cost is credited against your bulk order. Use it properly:
- Have two or three staff of different builds try it on.
- Ask them to reach, bend, squat and sit in it, not just stand in front of a mirror.
- Wash it once and check it again for shrinkage and shape.
- Note any changes, such as longer trousers or a higher neckline, in writing.
Production takes 15 to 20 working days after sample approval, so fit changes are cheapest to make at this stage. Our guide on why sample approval matters explains what else to check.
Fabric affects fit
Stretch blends are more forgiving across a range of body shapes and make a slightly closer fit comfortable. Poly-cotton without stretch needs a little more ease. Cotton may shrink slightly after the first wash, which matters for trouser length. Read more in how to choose scrub fabric.
Common sizing mistakes
- Using everyday clothing sizes instead of measurements.
- Recording one size for the whole set.
- Choosing a slim fit for staff who kneel, lift and bend all day.
- Ordering exactly one set per size with no spares.
- Not keeping the size breakdown on record for reorders.
Send your size breakdown
Once you have a draft size sheet, send it to us on WhatsApp or through the quote form on our medical uniforms page. We will quote from our unit in Konni, Pathanamthitta, and keep the size breakdown on record so reorders match. You can also contact us with questions before you start measuring.