From S to XXXS Scrubs: Finding Smaller Sized Scrubs that Actually Fit
It’s not just plus-sized or curvy women that struggle finding scrubs that fit these days. People underestimate how many smaller women order XXXS scrubs and still end up swimming in fabric.
I’ve been in healthcare long enough to know that scrub sizing is never straightforward. You can order the tiniest size a brand offers and somehow still look like a kid playing dress-up in her mom’s work uniform. If you just so happen to have a tiny waist and bigger thighs, or you’re a smaller size and you have longer or shorter legs, finding something that feels “made for you” is almost impossible.
That’s why most of us end up just making do with uniforms that are “close enough”.
Really, though, we shouldn’t have to. How your uniform fits has a pretty big impact on how comfortable and confident you feel every day. You deserve a set that gets it right.
That’s why I was so excited when I found Dolan, the first scrubs company that doesn’t just offer a huge range of sizes, it designs uniforms that make all of us (no matter our shape or size) feel seen.
“My legs are thin, and joggers are usually baggy. The XXS petite actually fit perfect, I’m not constantly picking them up!”
Why Small Scrub Sizes Are Weirdly Hard to Find
It’s funny how many clothing companies say they have “inclusive sizes” but still only focus on a tiny subsection of men and women. Most stick to the basics (XS to XL) and leave out a huge percentage of us in the process.
Sure, there are some companies that have a few more size options, but honestly, half of the time you order an XXXS and end up with something another company would have labelled an XS anyway.
If you’re lucky enough to find something that actually fits your waist, the overall outfit still feels off because you’re left battling against the assumptions companies make about their customers, like every XXXS customer is also petite (there are taller women who need smaller sizes too).
Being small doesn’t mean being straight-shaped or delicate. Sometimes the thighs are strong, sometimes the waist is tiny, sometimes the combo is chaos. But instead of designing for actual humans, other brands keep giving us scrubs that sit in one awkward, shapeless category.
“Figs is consistently a disaster when it comes to fit and stretch. Dolan was true to size, XS fit my curvy-but-small frame perfectly.”
That’s why finding best scrubs for petite women or genuinely well-proportioned XXXS scrubs feels like a miracle, not because our bodies are complicated, but because most brands don’t seem to care enough to figure it out.
Why Dolan Is the First Brand That Actually Understands XXXS Scrubs
Dolan took an entirely different approach to designing scrubs that actually feel inclusive. Their goal isn’t to just offer more sizes than the next leading competitor. They’re actually trying to make sure everyone can find a uniform that fits. There’s a difference.
This is a company that’s actually done the work, getting actual people to test their scrubs and provide feedback, and figuring out what kind of issues we face all the time (like needing an XXS waist but a longer or shorter length).
This is the kind of company that you can buy from, and actually trust that you won’t need to get alterations straight away. Unlike most companies selling small scrub sizes, Dolan:
· Gives you the full range of size options other brands ignore, from XXXS to 6XL.
· Considers length, with inseams ranging from 25 inches to 36 inches for taller women (there’s even a free hemming option for petite ladies).
· Doesn’t limit you on choice, thanks to a huge selection of colors and styles, such as jogger scrub pants, and trendy tops.
· Considers the full outfit, with smaller options for underscrubs, and jackets too.
· Makes it easy to find the right fit, with their useful size guides, and “fit quiz”.
Plus, you’re not limited by body shape. If you’re tiny around the waist, but bigger elsewhere, Dolan has a full range of curve scrubs designed just for you.
My Favorite XXXS Scrub Pants for Smaller Bodies from Dolan
At some point I realized that shopping for scrub pants as a small-bodied person requires the same emotional resilience as online dating. You scroll, you hope, you get disappointed, you wonder if maybe you’re the problem, and every once in a while, you find something that restores your faith in the universe. That’s basically what happened when I started trying Dolan’s XXXS Scrubs.
Some of my favorite pants (ideal for smaller ladies) include:
· Hope 11-Pocket Jogger: These might honestly be the fan favorite, and for good reason. They hit that sweet spot where they’re slim but not suffocating, structured but still flexible. For smaller legs, whether they’re straight, athletic, or “I walk 20k steps at work” strong, the taper is actually proportional. Plus, having 11 pockets is more useful than you’d think, and you can choose between straight or curve designs.
· District High-Waisted Pant: I always say these are for the days you want to look a little more professional without sacrificing comfort. The high rise is honestly a gift to anyone with a small waist, short torso, long torso, whatever.
· Palos Wide Leg Pants: If you like your pants to be a little roomier, the Palos wide leg pants are so on-trend right now. They look and feel fantastic without making you feel like you’re drowning in fabric. I love mixing them with a slightly tighter scrub top.
· Restore Yoga Pants: The only scrubs I’ve ever worn where the waistband didn’t either try to roll down or cut me in half. These pants are for the days when your body just wants softness, which, let’s be honest, is most days. If you’re between sizes or fluctuate, this waistband is shockingly forgiving.
· Lyra FLEX Jogger: These are for the people who treat every shift like an obstacle course. FLEX fabric moves with you, but it doesn’t cling in weird places or bag after an hour. Small-bodied + active? This might be your pair.
These pants, all of them, solve different issues small folks deal with daily: thigh fit, waist gaping, length, rise, shape, drape. Dolan actually designed for us, and you see that the moment you put them on.
Scrub Tops That Finally Fit Small Frames
Let’s talk tops for a second because being a small-bodied person doesn’t mean you want your scrub top hitting mid-thigh like you borrowed it from a tall cousin. I’ve had tops that genuinely made me look like a walking file cabinet. Straight, blocky, with pockets slapping against my legs as I walked.
This is where Dolan surprised me the most. They didn’t just shrink a unisex top and call it a day. They actually thought about proportions: shoulder width, sleeve length, where the hem lands, how the fabric drapes on a petite scrubs body. These are the tops I love:
· Mayfair V-Neck: This is the one I recommend to anyone starting fresh. It hits at that magical mid-hip spot where you still look professional, but you don’t feel swallowed. It gives you the slightly oversized look you love without looking boxy.
· Mel Top: This one looks incredibly professional thanks to the built-in collar and front zip that helps to tie everything together. It even comes with three pockets, for all your essentials. This is an oversized look so for a little more tailored look you may want to size down.
· Alpine Dolman: The ¾ sleeves are honestly genius. If you’ve ever had sleeves pooling at your wrists because you exist in the “smaller limbs” category, these feel like liberation. Also flattering on broader shoulders, narrower shoulders; pretty much every shoulder.
· Halo V-Neck: Halo is the versatile one, the “I don’t want to think too hard this morning” top. Not too long, not too short, structured enough to feel put together. Also, because we’re still being honest: some brands make V-necks so wide I’m scared to lean forward. Dolan doesn’t do that to us.
· Chelsea crew neck: Great if you’re looking for something a little different, this one looks so stylish on smaller frames, and it comes with a vented hem to help keep you cool as you work.
The biggest thing? These tops don’t force small bodies into boxy silhouettes. They don’t treat us like afterthoughts. When you pair one of these with well-fitted smaller pants, you feel like you’ve got an outfit made for you.
Dolan XXXS Scrubs: The Extras
I mentioned this before but one of the great things about Dolan’s collection of XXXS scrubs is you can also buy the extras that other companies overlook. You’ve got options like the Park slim fit active jacket, great for keeping you warm during the winter months, and the Mayor Scrub jacket with its five secure pockets for all your must-haves.
Then there are the under scrub options (ideal for layering), like the Ares Baseluxe underscrub which hugs your body without feeling tight or restrictive, and the Solis underscrub, with its ZenRib moisture-wicking and ultra-stretchy fabric.
You can mix and match different elements of your outfit for the perfect “just for you” uniform, or buy one of Dolan’s specially-designed scrub kits. Plus, if you have any issues, Dolan’s always on-hand to help you switch to the perfect fit, so you don’t have to settle.
The Small-Size Fit Checklist: How to Choose the Right XXXS-XS Scrubs Without Losing Your Mind
After years of trial, error, more error, and a couple of genuinely unhinged bathroom-stall wardrobe malfunctions, I’ve boiled down small-size scrub shopping into a few rules that’ve actually saved me. Because wearing XXXS scrubs or XXS scrubs shouldn’t feel like a gamble, but it usually does.
Measure your actual inseam
I don’t mean “remember what you think your inseam was in college.” I mean grab your best-fitting pants and measure from crotch seam to hem. Small sizes vary wildly, and tiny mistakes turn into big issues fast.
“I’m 4’11” and 115 lbs… ordered XS petite short and it fits great. Thank you for making 25” inseams!”
Length truly matters, especially if you fall into the scrubs for short women category, but even tall, slim folks benefit from knowing their number.
Know your body type (not just your height)
This is the part brands ignore. Are your thighs strong? Are you curvy-small? Slim all over? Straight through the hips? The wrong assumption here = chaos. Luckily Dolan has curve and straight fits in the smallest sizes, which honestly feels like a huge step forward. Check the size guide here
Check the rise like your sanity depends on it
Low-rise scrubs on a small frame? A tragedy. Too-long rise? Instant saggy crotch syndrome. Dolan’s higher rises (especially in the Hope and District styles) tend to sit where they’re supposed to, whether you’re petite or just tiny.
“The waistband doesn’t dig in or roll down. It just sits right.”
Consider fabric when choosing fit
I swear I didn’t understand this until way too recently. FLEX works better for active, slim legs. CORE looks sharp on straight small frames. BaseLuxe drapes beautifully on curvy XS bodies. ZenRib makes everyone look slightly more expensive.
When in doubt, use the fit quiz
This one is honestly underrated. It’s fast, intuitive, and eerily accurate, and not just for women’s petite scrubs or petite scrubs uniforms. It works across all the smallest sizes.
Small Bodies Deserve Scrubs That Actually Fit
I think the thing that still gets me, even after switching my whole closet around, is how long I thought I was the issue. Like maybe my proportions were strange or my legs were too short or too slim or too weird. You know that spiral. A lot of us who wear XXXS scrubs, XXS scrubs, petite scrubs, or anything in that tiny-but-human category end up there eventually.
But the truth is, the clothes were wrong. Not the bodies.
“After 20 years as a nurse, this is the first brand offering truly accurate small sizes AND the option to customize length. Total game-changer.”
Small-bodied healthcare workers shouldn’t have to settle.
Whether you fall into the scrubs for short women world, or you’re someone tall and narrow-framed, or curvy-small, or athletic-small, you deserve scrubs that actually match your proportions. Scrubs that feel personal. Scrubs that don’t require hemming hacks or waist-cinching wizardry or the defeat of rolling up cuffs for the millionth time.
Dolan didn’t just make the best scrubs for petite women or the most thoughtfully scaled pants. They built a lineup that treats smaller sizes as a real category that matters.
