The Best Plus-Size Scrubs for Women With Real Bodies: What Dolan Does Right

If you’re anything like me, you’ve probably spent most of your career assuming that every set of plus-size scrubs are just going to disappoint you.

They might technically “fit” but you never feel totally right in them. It’s more like you’re just “getting by” with your clothes because you have no other choice. I’ve read hundreds of comments online from people who genuinely dread shopping for scrubs, and I get it.

That’s what inspired me to write this little guide to the best plus-size scrubs I’ve tried. I’m not going to walk you through a bunch of “almost perfect” options, like some other people do. I’m focusing on one company here, one brand that convinced me once and for all there are companies out there that care about “inclusivity”, and actually know what it means.

If you’re looking for the best plus-size scrubs for women, here’s why I think you should start with Dolan scrubs.

Why Finding the Best Plus-Size Scrubs for Women is So Tough

You’d think at this point shopping for plus-size scrub uniforms wouldn’t be so difficult. It’s not like “plus sized” is a new concept. The trouble is that a lot of companies still think of plus sizing as a nice extra they can throw into their catalogue. They haven’t actually thought about what larger women need from their scrubs. They’ve just added more sizes (usually only a couple).

Most plus-size scrubs fail because brands do things like:

·       Stretch a straight-size pattern and hope no one notices

·       Use fabric that feels like a plastic tablecloth (crunchy + sweaty, a nightmare combo)

·       Cut proportions that assume plus-size = tall (tell that to my 5’3” best friend)

·       Sew on a waistband that gives up the moment you bend

·       Offer “up to 2X” and call it inclusive

If you’re nodding along saying “Yep, totally”, I’m about to introduce you to the first company that does plus-size scrubs for women differently (in a good way).

Meet Dolan: The Brand with the Best Plus-Size Scrubs for Women

The first thing I tell people when they ask why I’m so eager to talk about Dolan is this: they actually care. I know that sounds like something all scrubs brands should do, but we all know they don’t.

Dolan designs from a place that feels like they understand their audience. When you dig into their story, it makes sense. They’re a women-led team, building clothes for the people who do some of the most intense, physical, often invisible work in healthcare. Dolan scrubs don’t make you feel like an afterthought in a sea of “straight-size first” design meetings.

What convinced me they were different wasn’t even the clothes at first. It was how they interact with their community. They actually listen. They ask real users for feedback and respond to what plus-size bodies have been asking for.

“When I found out these actually fit a 6x apple shaped, plus size 28/30, big bellied, tree trunk calf, cankled, bat-winged woman, and didn't make me look silly, or be too tight anywhere, it was simply unbelievable. I've been wearing huge t shirts and discontinued men's cargo scrub pants from another brand and trying to make them last because no other brand fit, due to the new slim fit styles. Thank you, thank you, for size inclusion and for doing it right by us big gals. I have cute scrubs like the youngins for the first time, EVER.”

Here's what I think makes Dolan’s scrubs the best plus-size scrubs for women anywhere.

They design for plus bodies from the very beginning

Most companies take a size Medium, stretch it into a 3X, and call it a day. You can always tell, because the proportions are wrong, things cling where they shouldn’t, and you end up constantly adjusting something. Dolan starts with the body types who actually wear plus size scrubs: apple shapes, pear shapes, hourglass, apron belly, no hips, huge hips; all of us.

The fabrics feel like real clothes, not doctor’s office upholstery

If you’ve ever worn scrubs that swish when you walk or turn shiny across your thighs by lunch, you know why fabric matters. Dolan’s blends have this soft, stretchy, breathable feel that’s just unbeatable. They move with you instead of fighting you.

Different fabrics actually serve different needs:

·       Flex: Stretchy enough that people gasp when they try them on

·       Core: Smooth and polished, without the stiffness other brands pretend is professionalism

·       BaseLuxe Underscrubs: Cozy without being thick

·       ZenRib Underscrubs: Comfortable and forgiving, especially on days you’re feeling bloated

“From the moment I put them on, I could tell these weren’t your average scrubs.”

The waistbands behave

There’s nothing worse than plus size scrub pants that roll the second you bend. Dolan’s waistbands sit where you put them and stay there, even with an apron belly or a fuller middle.

Someone said they worked a 12-hour shift and didn’t adjust their waistband once. I don’t have the exact stat on that, but for me the rate is usually once every 6 minutes, so that’s impressive.

Their Sizing is Genuinely Inclusive

A lot of brands say they go to 5X or 6X and then cut everything so small you’d think the size chart was a prank. Dolan’s 6X fits like a real 6X. Their petite and tall options aren’t limited to the tiny sizes either, which is almost unheard of in the world of plus size women’s scrubs.

“I am a plus size woman with an apron belly and smaller legs. It’s so hard to find scrubs that fit. These are perfect! Comfy on my apron belly, hides what I want and not too baggy in the legs. The material and quality are top notch!”

Customer service that cares

This is a big one because there are tons of scrubs companies out there that say they care. Dolan actually shows it. They connect with their community on Reddit, and through reviews, they listen and adapt to feedback from real product testers.

They even go above and beyond to help you get the right fit. I’m not just talking about their fit quiz or sizing guides here either. Dolan even offers free hemming for us petite plus-sized girls who can’t find leg lengths that feel “just right”.

Dolan’s Best Plus Size Scrub Tops: Flattering, Functional, and Comfy

Honestly, one of the really impressive things about Dolan is they give you genuine options. You’re not limited to one design because you’re a bit bigger. You can choose from ¾ sleeves, short sleeves, scrubs with built-in pockets, and more, all in a huge selection of colors.

Some of the tops I really love:

·       Mayfair V-Neck: Classic design, unbelievably comfortable, and made with a pen-pocket already built in. It’s even antimicrobial, which matters a lot for those of us dealing with all kinds of germs every day.

·       Alpine Dolman: Just perfect for colder workplaces, with three-quarter length sleeves that actually stretch to exactly where they’re supposed to be, and two pockets for extra storage (you can never have enough pockets).

·       Echo 2-Pocket Scrub Top: Perfect classic fit, engineered neck drop to not drop too low, most importantly – the 2 Lower front pockets some of us cannot live without.

·       Mel Top: the ultimate flattering and functional top: relaxed oversized fit with back pleat and rounded swingy hem allowing for more ease, 1 chest pocket, 2 side seam pockets and a zip placket + collar for a chic professional vibe.

Dolan tops succeed where most of the “best” scrubs for plus size women don’t: they respect your proportions instead of forcing your body to work around the design. Once you wear one, you realize how rare that is.

Dolan’s Best Plus Size Scrub Pants For Every Shape & Every Shift

Pants are where plus size scrubs either win your heart or completely betray you. I’ve had pants that looked fine until I tried to walk. I’ve worn joggers that somehow managed to be tight in the thigh and baggy at the calf, which feels like a personal attack.

So when I say Dolan makes the best-fitting plus size scrub pants I’ve ever worn, just know I’m saying that as someone who’s tried basically everything on the market.

Some of my absolute favorites:

·       Hope Joggers: These are the joggers you’ll actually want to live in. You’ve got 11 pockets, a waistband that stays put, and material that stretches and moves with you. They’re high-waisted too, which is honestly just way more practical.

·       District high-waisted pants: Brilliantly soft high-waisted pants with an elasticated yoga waistband and up to 8 pockets. These pants are anti-microbial, durable, and come with a fantastic four-way stretch.

·       Curve Hope Pants: These pants are the reason I keep telling people Dolan actually studies plus-size bodies instead of guessing. They’re built for actual curves, with more hip and thigh room so you don’t feel “hemmed in” by your clothes.  

·       Palos pant: Wide leg pant of my dreams. This may not be for everyone, it’s a wide leg look with a vibe. I feel not only professional but on trend all while feeling my most comfortable best self. It doesn’t bunch up or ride up when walk & has the two front hip pockets and the two butt pockets.

“The most comfortable scrubs I’ve had the pleasure of wearing… They work beautifully for a plus-size body with an apron belly and big thighs. I bought one pair and immediately bought two more.”

The absolute best part of all is that you’re not stuck with a single leg length. Dolan offers multiple options for both tall and petite women, as well as that free hemming option I mentioned above. They’re the first brand that I’ve found that really goes above and beyond to get you the right fit.

How to Choose the Right Dolan Scrubs for Your Body Type

If you ask me, you can buy just about any set of Dolan scrubs, and you’ll know immediately that you’re dealing with a brand that actually gets your body. Still, it always helps to have a few tips, particularly if you’re new to all this.

Here’s my advice:

Start with your body type

Pay attention to where you carry volume, and what usually annoys you about pants or tops.

If you’re a Curve shape or pear-shaped

These are your people. Go straight for:

·       Curve Hope Pants (they sit at the natural waist and don’t dig)

·       Mel Top (oversized with an extra pleat in back for roominess, rounded hem so not sloppy)

·       Palos Wide Leg Pant (all the roominess you need)

·       Mayfair top, Echo Top or Halo V neck (clean lines without clinging)

If you are apple shape / apron belly / carry weight in the middle

You probably want to try:

·       Hope Jogger (super soft and sturdy elastic that doesn’t dig but stays up)

·       Flex fabric pants ( Restore straight leg & Lyra jogger: the stretch is your friend)

·       Halo top (all stretch anywhere you need it)

Use the size guide, even if you think you “know” your size

I used to skip size charts because I thought they were all lies. But Dolan’s is actually based on real proportions, so measure yourself. Especially:

·       Bust

·       Belly/waist

·       Hips

·       Thigh

·       Inseam

And don’t be shocked if you land in a Curvy fit instead of Regular (or vice versa). One shopper switched to Curvy and said the fit was “soooo much better” and even sized down once she felt how much stretch the fabric has.

Experiment with styling

These are small tweaks that make a noticeable difference in scrubs for plus size women:

·       Monochrome always looks more put-together: Head-to-toe hunter green or navy looks great. It creates one continuous line, so you look taller and more balanced.

·       Front-tuck the Mel Top if you want shape without cling: It works especially well with joggers.

·       Straight-leg pants make your whole frame look longer: If joggers feel “too sporty,” the District Pant is the best alternative.

·       Pay attention to shoulder fit in tops: If the shoulders land wrong, your whole silhouette reads off. Try the Mel first.

Choose what feels good on an actual workday

You’re bending, squatting, reaching, quick-walking, kneeling, half-jogging, charting, leaning, lifting, comforting, stretching, and sometimes sprinting. The best plus size scrubs for women are the ones that make all of that feel easier.

That’s why Dolan lands at the top of the list for so many of us, they’re built for movement, not just mannequins. They feel like clothes made for the life we actually live.

Dolan Is the Best Plus-Size Scrubs for Women Brand, Easy

If you’ve spent forever wrestling with plus size scrubs that never quite fit then you already know why I’m so excited to find a brand like Dolan.

A uniform shouldn’t feel like a compromise you make every morning before you’ve even had coffee. It shouldn’t make you more self-conscious. We have enough going on during a shift without fighting our clothes too.

Dolan is the first brand I’ve worn that feels like it was built for someone like me. Someone with curves and a job that requires actual movement. So if you’re tired of settling, tired of guessing, tired of rearranging your clothes every ten minutes, take a breath.

Dolan makes the best plus-size scrubs for women who want comfort they don’t have to fight for and style that doesn’t disappear once the size chart hits XL.

Give them a try, and honestly, you won’t ever want to go back to “almost-there” scrubs.