Tall Scrubs for Women: Finally Long Enough (and Actually Flattering)

Everyone talks about how difficult it is to be short, no-one seems to mention how tough us tall ladies have it, particularly when it comes to buying pants. I’ve spent half of my life buying men’s clothing just because I’m sick of joggers and leggings that barely reach my ankles. At work, scrub pants that aren’t really long enough aren’t just a fashion faux pas, they’re a serious distraction.

Lately, I have seen more companies starting to promise “tall scrubs for women” on their websites. Honestly, though, most of them seem to think adding an inch or two to a 25-inch leg is enough. It’s not. Some of us are out here struggling with 34", 35", 36" inseams, trying not to flash a bare calf every time we sit down.

Don’t worry, though, this article isn’t just me complaining to anyone who’ll listen. I’m only writing it because I’ve finally found something that works: tall scrubs made for ladies just like me.

Dolan (my new favorite brand) has convinced me once and for all that there are companies out there who see us tall ladies, and actually want to help.

“After 7 years of nursing I FINALLY found scrubs long enough… I tried men’s, sized up, everything - still too short. Dolan is true to size and these actually touch the ground.”

Why Most “Tall Scrubs” Have Failed You

You might be saying, “Alice, aren’t there are a bunch of companies out there advertising tall scrubs, why are you focusing on this one brand?” Well, let me tell you.

I’ve ordered tons of uniforms that claim they’re for “tall people”, and instantly felt betrayed. I know for a fact I’m not alone. I’ve seen too many people complaining on Reddit about tiny inseams.

Here’s the real issue: most brands don’t design scrubs for tall women at all. They just tweak their regular sizes slightly, and hope for the best. You’ve probably seen the common offenders:

·       The “tall” inseam that… isn’t: A sad little extra inch at the hem doesn’t magically serve someone with a 34–36" inseam.

·       The rise that suddenly becomes low-rise: If you’ve got a long torso? Forget it. Everything slides, dips, or digs.

·       The knees are in the wrong place: I’ve had pants where the articulated knee sat halfway up my thigh. Not cute, not functional.

·       Fabric with zero stretch: Tall strides + stiff material = constant pulling and adjusting.

Then there’s the slightly less painful, but still real problem of “no variety”. Even if you’re lucky enough to find a brand that sells real scrubs for tall women, you probably get one or two options tops.

Why Dolan Is the #1 Brand for Tall Scrubs for Women

Dolan is a brand I had only heard of once or twice before. I usually saw girls raving about the “all-inclusive” sizing for petite, plus-sized, and curvy girls, but I didn’t think they had options for tall women too. Maybe that’s a “me” problem, I just assume brands overlook us.

When I found out that they didn’t just offer “tall sizes”, but leg lengths ranging from 31 inches to 36, I was instantly excited. It’s not just that though, there are a bunch of reasons I fell in love with Dolan scrubs.

·       Up to a True 36" Leg: This is the big one. Dolan offers a huge selection of length options, all the way from 25 inches for the petite ladies, to 36-inch legs for women over six foot.

·       Actually inclusive sizing: Tall isn’t a size, it’s a height. Dolan’s scrubs come in sizes ranging from XXXS to 6XL, so you can get the right fit for more than just your leg length.

·       Fit assistance built-in: Dolan doesn’t make you guess which size you need. It gives you a comprehensive fit quiz and size guide to help you make the right choice.

·       Fabrics made for movement: Tall bodies do everything bigger, longer strides, deeper crouches, wider reaches. Dolan’s fabrics aren’t stiff poly blends pretending to be athletic wear, they’re comfy, durable, flexible, and ready for action.

All that and you get options. A huge range of colors, different styles, pants with so many pockets you’ll never run out of storage space again. It’s world-changing.

“As a slim, tall woman… I’m grateful for anything above a 32” inseam. Great quality, great colors. You have a customer for life.”

My Favorites from Dolan’s Tall Scrub Pants Lineup

Honestly, if you’re anything like me, the first time you click on the “Tall” segment on Dolan’s website you’re going to feel spoiled for choice. I figured I’d make your initial shopping trip a little easier (hopefully), by sharing some of my favorites:

·       District High Waisted: If you've ever had a waistband roll down the second you sit, these are a breath of fresh air. The District Pant is high-waisted in a way that feels secure, not suffocating, and the tall inseam doesn’t magically shrink when you move.

·       Hope Joggers: These are the crowd favorite for a reason. They’re lightweight, stretchy, and the tall inseam goes all the way up to 36”. The 11 pockets are actually usable too, not the awkward decorative ones some brands throw on. Plus, there are curve options!

·       Lyra Pants: Lyra is for the tall women who want scrubs that look clean and a little more tailored. There’s something about the way these hug your leg that make them feel perfect for busy days.

·       Restore Pants: These feel almost like lounge pants disguised as scrubs but in a professional way. They’re especially good if your job has a lot of squatting, crouching, and general “my legs need freedom” moments.

·       Palos Pants: This one shocked me. Straight-leg pants are notorious for being too short on tall women, but Dolan somehow nailed the proportions. These give that classic, polished look without the awkward ankle exposure.

Bonus? Most of these pants are antimicrobial (so, you know, designed for medical professionals like us), and they’re super easy to wash. Some are even quick-dry, which is more helpful than you’d think when you’re late for a shift.

Choosing the Best Dolan Tall Scrubs for Women

Chances are you don’t want to just take my recommendations and fill out a basket (you don’t know me that well). So, I thought I’d share some quick tips if you’re hunting through the options on Dolan’s website, and you don’t know where to start.

First, start with your actual body type:

·       If you’re slim & tall: You’re the person everyone assumes has it easy because “you look like the models.” Meanwhile, the real problem is finding pants that don’t balloon out or sag in weird spots when brands take a regular fit and just stretch it upward. I’d recommend options like the Lyra or District pants, or Hope Joggers here. They’re all super flattering.

·      If you’re tall and curvy: This is where Dolan absolutely outperforms other brands. Curvy and tall is a combination that most companies pretend doesn’t exist, but Dolan has Curve Hope Pants in tall lengths, and they’re fantastic. The Palos pants are great too if you want a straight leg that doesn’t choke your thighs.

·       If you’re tall with an hourglass or pear shape: You probably know the struggle: if the waist fits, the hips don’t, and vice versa. Here, I’d probably recommend something like the Hope Curve joggers again, or the Restore flex pants (they’re super stretchy).

“These are my new favorite scrubs, hands down! As a woman with a 35-36” inseam, they are a dream come true for me. Please make more “taller” sizes and I will buy them in every color!”

Keeping Fabric in Mind

One thing most people forget when they’re shopping for scrubs for tall women is how much fabric makes a difference. Tall bodies move differently, so fabric flexibility is a bigger deal than people admit. Here’s how to choose:

·       Flex: if you’re constantly kneeling, crouching, climbing stairs

·       Core: if you want something structured that still behaves

·       BaseLuxe: if you want maximum softness

·       ZenRib: if you want comfort with a bit of texture

Think about your shift, not just the fit.

Measuring Yourself (without Guessing)

A couple of quick things that will save you from ordering the wrong length:

·       Measure your inseam from pants you already like. Don’t trust whatever number you decided was your inseam in 2014.

·       Measure standing, not sitting. Tall legs stretch differently when vertical.

·       If you’re between inseams, go longer. Scrubs tend to lift when you move.

·       Check your rise needs. If regular-rise pants always feel low, you need Dolan’s high-rise styles.

If you're overwhelmed take Dolan’s fit quiz. It’ll actually help.

Tall Women, Your Scrub Era Has Finally Arrived

Somewhere around my third pair of too-short “tall” pants, I started to think maybe this was just how things were going to be. A lifetime of exposed ankles, pocket placement that made no anatomical sense, and tops that magically turned into crop shirts every time I reached for a chart. If you're tall, you know what I mean.

Dolan changed everything for me. Finally, I feel like I don’t have to settle anymore.

When scrubs actually fit, you move differently. You don’t think about tugging your waistband every six minutes, and you don’t get that irritated little flash of embarrassment when your tall scrub pants slide up your leg as you sit. Plus, you don’t feel like you’re borrowing clothes from a shorter coworker.

And if you’re still wondering whether Dolan’s tall scrubs for women are worth a try, I’ll leave you with the kind of review that convinced me:

“After 7 years of nursing I FINALLY came across the BEST scrubs ever! I’ve never been so happy and CONFIDENT!!! Thank you DOLAN!”

That’s the energy tall women deserve to feel in their uniforms.