Ill fitting scrub tops...suggestions?

Nurses General Nursing

Published

Specializes in Psych..

I just started nursing school and I've been searching for decent scrubs for clinicals. I have no brand or style restrictions, just that they have to be white.

I have tried on different styles of tops from Dickies, Peaches, Cherokee, White Swan, and probably others I have since forgot. I'm "curvy", 5'7", wear a size 16/18, and am very large chested. Here's what baffles me. When I buy regular shirts, usually they're too tight around the chest and too loose in the hips. But with the scrub tops, if I find a size that doesn't drag and bind in the hip area, then they are absolutely huge in the armpit/chest area. When I lift my arms, I feel like I'm ready to set sail! I bought a Dickies unisex scrub top today, XL, because the material was smoother than the rest, but I am just swimming in it and it does not look professional. Makes me wonder how people with normal sized chests find scrub tops that fit.

So does anyone know of a good scrub top brand that is nice and flared in the hip area? Or even a bit shorter and flared, I don't need the top to completely cover my rear end. I'd love to hear any suggestions, even from the brands mentioned above. Maybe there is a style you like from that brand that my store didn't have, that I could order online.

Thanks for your help!

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Specializes in Case mgmt., rehab, (CRRN), LTC & psych.

I am also a curvy size 16, and I have similar problems with ill-fitting scrub tops. I've heard excellent things about the fit of Urbane Scrubs. Personally, I've had pretty good luck with tops made by Liana Scrubs. Also, women with big chests can find a good fit with Crest Scrubs. Good luck!

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Specializes in ER, SANE, Home Health, Forensic.

I find smartscrubs.com are my favorites... they have great prints... you will be AMAZED at the quality fabrics and stitching, they have hem options available, and!!! you can get them home, try them on, and if they dont fit, you can send them back in a prepaid postage envelope. The measurements they give in the book are true to size, and I now buy nothing (or precious little) else. These are the only pants I will buy.

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At our program we are not allowed to wear scrub tops...our uniform has to be white, but it has to be a decorative top. Men have to wear a top with a collar.

I personally, have found Landau to be the best in size. I have a tummy from the babies and I am larger chested for my short stature, so I can feel your pain. I had the worst time trying to find something to fit that wouldn't rake my make-up off in the process.

Have you tried the "Grey's Anatomy" scrubs? They have AMAZING material...it flows, much like a nice payer of fluid pants.

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Check out how much it would cost to have a tailor do a little alteration. Many simple alterations can be done for less than $15. Even if you only have a couple of tops done, it is worth the effort to look good.

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I had to get the Landau brand for school- I found the style I got fit good in the arm/chest area but huge over the waist. I looked like a bell in them. I am also a size 16. I had them tailored - 2 tops and 2 bottoms- $56. I can't wait till I have my choice of what brand/ style because I don't want to have to pay for tailoring again.

But if your problem is the waist/hip area, these may be just right for you. Mine are button down tops.

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Specializes in Critical Care.

When I was in school, we had to buy the schools uniform. Scrubs were a no-no. Times sure have changed.

tvccrn

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I have a great empire-waist white scrub top that I bought at Life Uniforms, and I swear I have gotten a compliment on it every time I've worn it (unlike my other boxy, v-necked tops that make me look like the Sta-Puf marshmellow man!). The brand is Fresh Scrubs -- I just looked at the website and they don't have that style in white online, but they show it in a print: http://www.lifeuniform.com/go.asp?prog=lvl3&lastprog=&pend=lvl3&mktlvl1=1000&mktlvl2=671&mktlvl3=7013-530&regprc=19.99&stylcolr=&stylsize=&stokid=&bestprc=&embflag=N

They might just carry the solid white ones in-store.

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Specializes in Psych..

Thank you all for your great suggestions. I looked into all the brands you mentioned and those Urbane scrubs look like a nice fit. I tried comparing the chest to hip ratio on all the brand sizing charts but they all looked very similar. I was tempted to order some different brands online and just send back the ones I don't like, but frankly, I'm feeling too lazy and would probably just keep them in order to avoid the trip to the post office!

I had gotten some White Swan pants that I really like and fit well, so I ended up getting the White Swan tops to match. I will probably have them tailored to provide a more contoured fit through the chest while keeping the hip room. I realized that scrubs fabric just isn't the same as jeans, and they aren't going to be as smooth, at least unwashed.

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