Buying scrubs online comes with one persistent problem: sizing isn't standardized across brands. A medium in one line can fit completely differently from a medium in another, and the only way to find out used to be trial and error — order, wait, try on, return, wait again.

This guide breaks down what actually drives fit — fabric and silhouette — and walks through how that plays out across some of the most common scrub brands, style by style, so you can make a more informed call before you order.

Two Things That Determine Fit

Before looking at specific brands, it helps to understand the two variables that actually decide how a scrub fits: fit category and material.

Fit category refers to the silhouette and tailoring:

• Classic fit — roomier, more structured, straighter silhouette
• Modern fit — tapered closer to the body, often more fashion-forward
• Athletic fit — built for movement, with more stretch and a silhouette that falls between classic and modern

Material affects both feel and how a garment behaves over time:

• Cotton — breathable, natural feel; can shrink or feel boxy
• Polyester — durable, lightweight, moisture-wicking, resists pet hair
• Spandex (usually blended with polyester) — adds stretch and flexibility
• Rayon/viscose — soft, drapes well, feels premium; pills more easily and attracts lint
• Nylon — durable, athletic, slightly more premium feel than polyester, but less breathable

With those two factors in mind, here's how some popular brands compare.

Epic by IRG

Epic is an athletic-fit, 4-way stretch scrub made of 50% polyester, 43% recycled polyester, and 7% spandex — durable, moisture-wicking, stretchy, lightweight, and pet-hair resistant. The collection includes 4 tops, 3 pants, and 2 jackets.

Tops

• 4801 (v-neck, 3 front pockets, stretch back panels) — runs true to size.
• 4802 (notched neck, 3 front pockets including a zip pocket) — has some waist tapering but still runs true to size. If the tapering feels like too much, sizing up is an option, though the fabric loosens with wear, so the true size may end up working anyway.
• 4803 (tuckable v-neck, single breast pocket) — fits a bit more snug due to tapering. Sizing up gives a looser fit, but since it's designed to be tucked, a larger size can make the tuck bulkier.
• 4804 (dolman style, two side pockets, one breast pocket, mandarin collar with snap) — intentionally cut looser for a business-casual look, so it runs a bit bigger by design.

Pants

• 9811 (tapered straight leg, drawstring, two side + two cargo + two back pockets) — runs a bit bigger, especially through the upper half and waist. Depending on body type, sizing down may prevent bunching at the top over time.
• 9812 (jogger, yoga-style waistband, convertible drawstring, 7 pockets) — tends to feel slim or legging-like at first try-on but loosens with wear. Sizing up to compensate for an initial snug fit can mean ending up with overly baggy joggers later.
• 9813 (flare pant, yoga-style waistband, drawstring, 8 pockets) — runs more true to size than the other Epic pants, though it runs slightly longer due to the flare. Those between regular and petite length may prefer petite to avoid stepping on the hem.

Overall: Epic generally runs true to size. Where styles run bigger or smaller, it's typically intentional to the design rather than inconsistent sizing.

Cureology by Koi

Cureology is a modern-fit, 4-way stretch fabric made of 100% polyester — durable, lightweight, and moisture-wicking, with slightly less stretch than Epic (no spandex) but a marginally thicker feel. The collection includes 3 tops, 3 pants, and 1 jacket.

Tops

• Cardi (C101) — v-neck with 2 front pockets, pen slots, and a sleeve pocket. More tailored through the upper body; true to size for most, but a larger bust may call for sizing up.
• Reese (C102) — crew-style split neck, ribbed collar, two front pockets, capped sleeve. Tapered at the waist but styled to sit slightly oversized. Most wear their typical size; again, a larger bust may benefit from sizing up.
• Aura (C100) — classic tuckable v-neck with a chest pocket, pen slots, and sleeve pocket. Cut slimmer through the body for tucking; many size up for more mobility and a less snug feel.

Pants

• Pulse Jogger (C700) — drawstring elastic waist, 6 pockets including cargo, 3 pen slots. Fits snug due to tapering near the lower leg; sizing up is generally recommended for mobility.
• Atria (C701) — tapered straight leg, modern classic fit, drawstring elastic waist, 7 pockets including cargo. True to size for some; curvier builds may prefer sizing up.
• Saylor (C702) — high-rise relaxed wide leg, elastic waist with inner drawstring, 8 pockets plus pen slots. The relaxed fit and high waist mean this one runs true to size for most.

All Cureology pants are available in tall and petite, spanning XXS–5XL.

Overall: Because of its modern, more tapered styling, several Cureology pieces tend to run small relative to other brands — sizing up is common. The fabric is notably soft once the right size is found.

Edge by IRG

Edge is a modern-classic fit, 2-way stretch fabric made of 65% polyester, 32% rayon, and 3% spandex — a blend that feels closer to cotton than most performance scrub fabrics, with some stretch and less boxiness than typical cotton scrubs. The collection includes 2 tops, 3 pants, and 1 jacket.

Tops

• 2801 (basic v-neck, 3 front pockets including a cell phone pocket) — generally true to size, with a relaxed fit that trends slightly bigger. Sizing down typically isn't necessary.
• 2803 (mock wrap, same 3 pockets, stretch panels) — more tailored at the waist for a fitted look, but still considered true to size by most wearers.

Pants

• 6801 (elastic waist boot cut, drawstring, 8 pockets including cargo) — the boot-cut flare starts higher than a standard flare, landing between straight-leg and wide-leg. Runs true to size but fits slightly bigger through the hip and waist, similar to Epic's 9811.
• 6802 (tapered straight leg, yoga waistband, drawstring, 6 pockets plus a scissor pocket) — true to size, with a more fitted waist than the 6801 due to the yoga-style band. Sizing up adds room, particularly for curvier builds; the 6801 is an alternative for those who dislike a tight waistband.
• 6803 (jogger, yoga-style waistband, inner drawstring, 6 pockets including cargo) — similar hip fit to the 6802 but tapers more toward the ankle, as expected of a jogger. Sizing up can help for a more relaxed fit, though many find it true to size.

Overall: Edge generally runs true to size with a tendency toward a relaxed fit.

General Takeaways

• If you're new to scrubs, start with your standard size and adjust based on how it feels.
• If you've worn scrubs before, your past sizing in a similar fit/material is a reasonable starting point.
• Stretchier, athletic-fit fabrics (like Epic) tend to run closer to true to size.
• More structured fabrics (like Edge) and more tailored/modern fits (like Cureology) more often call for sizing up.
• "Comfort fit" styles (like Maevn Momentum) are sometimes better sized down, since they're cut generously by design.

Ultimately, fit is partly objective (fabric, tailoring) and partly personal preference — how loose or fitted you want your scrubs to feel for your specific job and movement needs.

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Note: Fabric blends, style numbers, and fit characteristics are subject to change as brands update their lines. Always check current size charts and recent reviews from the brand directly before purchasing.