Short Girl Approved: The Only Scrubs for Petite Women That Don’t Need Instant Tailoring
It’s starting to feel like there should be some sort of uniform support group for shorter healthcare workers. We make up a huge chunk of the population (About five of my colleagues are under 5 foot four), but we seem to be totally ignored by most companies, even the ones who say they do sell scrubs for petite women.
I’m right on the edge of 5 feet, which means I’ve spent most of my career rolling hems, and trying to manually adjust my clothes so they fit. It gets annoying, and expensive, pretty fast.
The good news is that after a lot of disappointments, I’m finally in a position where I feel like I can (confidently) say I’ve found the best scrubs for petite women. Hopefully, with this little guide, I can help you do the same.
Why Scrubs for Petite Women Are So Hard to Find
It’s funny, I’ve seen so many regular fashion brands offering petite ranges lately, but for some reason the companies selling scrub uniforms seem to be years behind. They may say they have petite options, but what they mean is they’ve cut an inch or two of a leg length for pants, or added “XXS” to their size chart. That’s not enough for those of us who really need petite scrubs.
Shop on most online stores, and you’ll quickly realize that the petite options aren’t really designed with actual people in mind. Most companies still just treat us like a small “extra” group they don’t really need to think about.
That’s what really makes companies like Dolan so exciting to me. They’re one of the first brands I’ve seen that don’t just stick a “petite” label on their clothes. They’ve actually done the research, found out what works for petite women, and designed an inclusive collection that recognizes all of us: the shorter women with a plus-size frame, curvy petites, and even girls who don’t fit into the “petite” ranges offered by countless other brands.
“I have been searching for scrubs that fit my short frame. I am under 5’ tall and even petites are too long. These are perfect and so comfortable. I ordered one set and have since ordered several more. I am telling all of my petite coworkers about this brand.”
Most brands keep treating petites like an afterthought, which is probably why so many of us have a stack of “almost workable” petite scrubs buried in our lockers. Dolan is different.
Why Dolan Designs the Best Scrubs for Petite Women
Somewhere around year seven of trying different “petite” brands, I started thinking I was the problem, we all get to that point. Like maybe my proportions were too weird or my legs were too short or my hips were too something. Then I tried Dolan.
What really caught my attention about Dolan wasn’t just that they offer so many different lengths (with in-seams starting from just 25 inches). It’s that everything feels like it was actually made for shorter women, not just “resized”.
They’re not just designing for one “type” of petite woman either. A lot of companies selling scrubs for petite women seem to think we’re all incredibly slim or athletic. Dolan designs for every size, from XXXS to 6XL. You’ve even got “curvy petite” options if you need extra room around your hips and thighs.
Then there’s the little bonuses that other brands miss:
· Different styles, colors, and fit options for petite women
· A size calculator so you can actually find the right fit first time
· Try before you buy options with certain products
Dolan will even offer free hemming for petite scrub pants, so if you can’t find the exact length you need, you don’t have to pay a tailor extra to customize your uniform.
“So amazing to find scrubs that can be custom hemmed!!! So comfortable - feel like leggings, look like scrubs. I have super short legs and am so grateful to have found Dolan scrubs.”
What I Love About Dolan’s Petite Scrub Pants
A lot of us don’t even realize how many sizing issues with pants we treat as “normal” until we find something that actually fits for the first time. For me, the first time wearing a pair of Hope jogger pants from Dolan was unforgettable. I requested a custom length (23 inches), and picked my color choices, and Dolan did the rest.
When they arrived, they felt like the first pair of scrub pants really made for me. I still got the 11 pockets (incredibly useful), the high-quality, soft fabric, and the durability that I really need from scrubs, just in a size that actually works.
It really does feel like Dolan has paid attention to everything, from the high rise that feels more practical for those of us who don’t like adjusting every day, to the antimicrobial material. The Hope joggers were just the beginning for me.
Over the last few months, I’ve completed my wardrobe with:
· The District high-waisted 6-pocket scrub pants: Extra durable and resilient pants for when I want something that looks a little more professional, but still feels amazing.
· The Restore pant with its yoga waistband: For when I’m feeling a little bloated and I want my scrubs to work with my body, instead of making be feel restricted.
· The Palos wide leg pant: when I want something trendy but also insanely comfy & roomy
There are special options for curvy and plus-sized ladies too, so you don’t feel limited because you don’t fit into some stranger’s idea of what “petite” should look like.
“I’ve tried countless brands of scrubs and Dolan is the only brand that fits like a glove on my petite frame, and their sizing is consistent among different colors.”
The Best Petite Scrub Tops: Dolan’s Amazing Collection
Finding scrub pants for petite women is tough enough, matching them with a scrub top that doesn’t drown you is even harder. I learned this the hard way after buying a “petite” top from another brand that hit so low on my thigh it made me look like a rectangle. A short rectangle. With pockets.
Tops are where so many brands quietly give up on scrubs for petite women. They’ll shorten the pants, but forget that petite torsos are also shorter. A top that’s even two inches too long can make your legs disappear and throw the entire silhouette off balance.
This is where Dolan impressed me way more than I expected:
Petite scrubs are thoughtfully designed from top to bottom. Literally.
Dolan offers petite-friendly lengths in all tops, so proportions stay flattering across your whole look. If for any reason a style doesn’t have a dedicated petite version listed, Dolan will hem it for you for free, which is a wildly underrated perk when every inch matters.
There’s only one exception: the Echo Top, because the lower pockets make hemming trickier. But even then, if you reach out to the team, they’ll do their best to special-order the right length when available.
The difference in proportions is subtle until you put a Dolan top on. Suddenly:
· The hem hits mid-hip, not mid-thigh
· Shoulder seams sit where they’re supposed to
· Sleeves don’t swallow your arms or bunch at the elbows
You just look… right. Not like you’re swimming in someone else’s scrubs. Like the scrubs were actually made for you, because they were.
“This is a great top! As someone with broad shoulders this was perfect in fitting. Sleeves slightly longer than typical women shirts (which I LOVE), and just enough room in the body for it to be comfortable. I normally run to men sizing for the oversized look but this gives it that feeling but more flattering!”
My Favorite Tops:
If you’re wondering where to start with your collection, I personally love the:
· Mayfair V neck: Simple, professional, and great for those of us who want to look like we have a fit that’s actually tailored to us.
· Alpine Dolman: This is great if you work in a colder healthcare climate, and want a bit of extra coverage (thanks to the 3-quarter length sleeves)
· Cypress Top: This is great because it has a shorter rounded hem to start with. It’s cute with a half front tuck or just out – either way, it’s an easy and flattering fit.
Every single design feels just as thoughtful and inclusive as the last. That’s why I always go back to Dolan when I want to buy scrubs for petite women.
The Fabric Factor: Dolan’s Other Secret Weapon
It’s not just the size and variety you get from Dolan that sets them apart from the other companies promising scrubs for petite women. It’s the quality of every piece and set. Some companies seem to switch to cheaper, less resilient fabric when they’re designing for petites, maybe because they think they don’t have to work as hard to keep us happy.
Dolan doesn’t do that. They give you a bunch of fabric options:
· CORE Fabric has this structured-but-not-stiff vibe that keeps its shape without adding bulk. It’s the one that makes the District High-Waisted Petite Pant look clean and streamlined, even on curvy petites.
· FLEX is the “I can squat, climb, sprint, and maybe do yoga in these” material. The Lyra FLEX Petite Jogger feels almost legging-like, but still looks like actual workwear, not gym clothes pretending.
· BaseLuxe is soft, brushed and cozy in that worn-in T-shirt way. It drapes beautifully, which matters when you’re short and trying to avoid the dreaded fabric bunch. This is the fabric for petites who hate stiff scrubs with a passion.
· ZenRib: The textured rib has the perfect amount of stretch. It’s sleek and honestly feels like a luxurious hug. A ZenRib top with matching joggers gives a killer monochrome look if you’re into petite scrub sets that feel a little elevated.
Match that quality with the level of support Dolan gives its customers to ensure they really do end up with the right size, and it’s easy to see why so many customers fall in love.
“Hands down my absolute favorite scrubs! I get the extra petite and they are perfect! Only scrubs I wear now!!!”
Quick Tips on Choosing the Best Scrubs for Petite Women
I’ve shared some of my favorite petite scrubs from Dolan already, but you might be starting from scratch with a very specific set of priorities. If you are, my advice is to:
Here’s what finally stopped the cycle of ordering-returning-crying:
· Measure your real inseam: Don’t “estimate.” Don’t trust the size chart blindly. Measure from crotch seam to hem on your best-fitting pants. That’s your number. We all know it’s not a one size fits all situation.
· Know your body type: If you’re a plus-sized petite, check out the collection designed for larger women. If you’re petite with curves, switch to Dolan’s curve range. Simple as that.
· Check the rise like your comfort depends on it (because it does): Too long = saggy. Too low = falling down the second you bend. The high-rise on the Lyra FLEX Petite Jogger is perfect, stays put without feeling tight.
· Try a full matching set: I don’t know how it works, but a monochrome look makes me look taller, and honestly, matching colors always look great.
· When in doubt, let Dolan’s fit quiz help: It’s quick, it’s simple, and it’s way easier than relying on size charts alone.
Stop Settling with Scrubs for Petite Women (You Don’t Have to)
I know most of us get to a point where we just live with whatever set of scrubs is “close enough” to what we actually need. Half of us have learned to sew just so we can end up just a tiny bit closer to perfection. Honestly though, you don’t have to settle.
Brands like Dolan prove that there are companies out there who really understand the petite women they’re catering to. We aren’t just another “possible audience” for them, we’re a real group of healthcare workers who deserve just as much comfort and quality as everyone else.
Honestly, it’s that attitude that has made Dolan into my petite uniform hero over the last few years, and I know I’m not alone.
If you’re ready to ditch the uniforms that clearly weren’t made for you, and start actually enjoying what you put on for work each day, Dolan has you covered. Switch out just one baggy shirt or pair of annoying pants, and you’ll see exactly what I mean.
