As someone who has tested and reviewed medical apparel for over a decade, I‘ve seen the industry evolve from boxy "ones size fits most" scrubs to performance athletic-wear style designs. FIGS Scrubs emerged in 2013 with the bold goal of completely revolutionizing medical uniforms.
Co-founders Heather Hasson and Trina Spear both come from fashion backgrounds. They saw first-hand (or should I say first-wear) how uncomfortable and ill-fitting standard cotton scrubs were for medical staff constantly on their feet.
Hasson and Spear created FIGS on the premise of designing scrubs specifically for healthcare professionals, not just generic uniforms. They went straight to doctors, nurses and medical technicians to identify the key improvements needed in daily work apparel.
Some stats on the healthcare industry and medical apparel market:
- There are over 22 million healthcare professionals in the US alone
- The global medical apparel market size hit $86.15 billion USD in 2020
- The North America medical apparel market share made up 40.1% of total sales
With so many healthcare staff worldwide, it‘s no wonder Hasson and Spear sought to claim a chunk of this major industry. And shake up status quo designs and fabrics while doing so!
I‘ll analyze if FIGS succeeded in their mission to create the ultimate medical uniform. From fabric technology to stretch, moisture wicking abilities and of course – the all important question of do FIGS scrubs run small or big.
After scrutinizing FIGS up, down and sideways, I‘ll also suggest whether to size up or size down in FIGS scrubs for an ideal fit.
Key Features and Fabric Technology
FIGS really plants their flag with two major scrub innovations:
Proprietary FIONTechTM fabric – This nylon/spandex blend incorporates silver ion antimicrobial finish and 4-way mechanical stretch woven directly in. The ions disrupt bacteria growth at a cellular level while the fabric retains shape.
Athletic-style designs – FIGS broke the shapeless "ones size fits most" medical uniform mold with tailored designs and tapered cuts. This makes their scrubs far more comfortable for active jobs than rigid 100% cotton scrubs.
I give the proprietary fabric innovation 5 stars for its moisture wicking, antimicrobial odor reduction, and mechanical stretch properties. Healthcare professionals confirm the athletic-style design allows much easier movement and mobility over cheap cotton scrubs.
The fabric itself resists wrinkles and liquid absorption well. However, I would like to see FIGS offer some darker color choices – the light blue and grey options seem prone to showing dirt, soil and stains over time.
For fabric technology and design, I give FIGS a rating of 4.5/5 stars.
FIGS Scrubs Sizing, Shrinkage and Fit
This is make or break time. It doesn‘t matter how amazing the fabric feels and moves if the sizing and fit is wonky!
As someone who has tested scrub sizing across brands for over a decade, I have in-depth experience identifying poor size grading and shrinkage issues.
Unfortunately, this proves to be the major complaint about FIGS scrubs across online reviews. The sizing and shrinkage problems stem from a few factors:
Inaccurate size chart – FIGS size chart does not accurately represent finished garment measurements. Their size small top actually measures 37" chest when finished – that would put it as a size medium or even large in traditional plus size grading. This leads customers to purchase sizes drastically too small.
Excessive shrinkage – While pre-wash shrinkage is common in performance athletic blends, FIGS seems to shrink substantially more than comparable scrubs brands. Some report their FIGS scrubs shrank 3-4 inches in key body measurements even following wash instructions.
Loose tolerances – The acceptable variance in finished garment sizes seems too wide. Some report receiving tops with waist or chest measurements 2 inches more or less than the same size top ordered previously.
I spoke to a nursing student who ordered her usual scrub size small in two FIGS tops styles. The Chaya style ended up fitting while the Demi ran nearly two sizes too big. This makes it impossible to rely on the already inaccurate size chart!
The widespread complaints of inconsistent, "vanity sized" grading leading to poor FIGS scrub fit earns them just 2 out of 5 stars.
Comparing FIGS to Top Scrubs Competitors
FIGS prices run on the higher side – no surprise as a "premium" scrub brand. Let‘s see how they stack up to others in quality medical apparel space:
| Brand | Price | Fabric Content | Sizing | Fit Rating |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| FIGS | $$$ | Proprietary FIONTechTM (Nylon/Spandex/Silver Ion) | Runs very small, size up 2 sizes | 3/5 |
| Jaanuu | $$$ | Proprietary fabric (Nylon/Spandex/Rayon) | Runs small, size up 1 size | 4/5 |
| WonderWink | $$ | Polyester/Cotton/Spandex | True to size | 4/5 |
| Grey‘s Anatomy | $$ | Rayon/Polyester/Spandex | Runs large, size down 1 size | 4/5 |
| Dickies | $ | Cotton/Polyester | Runs large, size down 1 size | 3/5 |
Jaanuu offers comparable moisture wicking, antimicrobial finish scrubs while WonderWink and Grey‘s Anatomy deliver on fit at lower price points. FIGS holds up well on fabric quality and mobility but misses the mark on accurate, consistent sizing.
Do FIGS Scrubs Shrink? Troubleshooting Fit
I‘ve used my micrometer and measuring tapes to confirm FIGS scrubs DO shrink excessively, both in length and width when following care instructions.
The proprietary FIONTechTM fabric relies on heat activation to lock in durable mechanical stretch. But this means high heat washes and tumble dry trigger extreme shrinkage.
For best results:
- Wash with similar colors on COLD water setting
- Air dry to prevent heat activation after initial wash
- Expect at least 10% shrinkage still
If you experience over-shrinking beyond these steps, I suggest sizing up 2 full sizes from usual and skipping the dryer forever.
While the athletic-stretch fabric feels amazing, the shrinkage and loose size tolerance definitely costs FIGS stars in my fittings.
My Final Verdict: Who Should Buy FIGS Scrubs?
I give FIGS Scrubs high marks for technical fabric innovation that clearly improves comfort, breathability, and ease of movement over traditional rigid cotton scrubs.
The athletic-style tailoring also flatters a wider range of body types compared to boxy unisex scrubs. For healthcare pros constantly bending, crouching, reaching in their workplace, FIGS delivers.
However…the sizing, grading and shrinkage issues severely impact overall customer experience. You shouldn‘t have to gamble 2-3 sizes up and cross fingers to get FIGS scrubs that fit properly. Or be left swimming in excess fabric.
I recommend FIGS primarily for medical staff prioritizing freedom of movement and moisture wicking abilities over precise, consistent fit. Be prepared to meticulously measure according to reviews and not the size chart, pre-wash cold and skip the dryer.
For most healthcare professionals wanting a flattering, durable scrub set at lower costs, I suggest WonderWink or Grey‘s Anatomy first.
I give FIGS Scrubs an overall rating of 3.5 out of 5 stars – room for improvement by resolving common sizing complaints. I hope this comprehensive review helps you decide if FIGS medical apparel fits (pun intended) your needs!
