There is a point where scrubs stop feeling like uniforms and start feeling like actual clothing.
That’s the premium scrub market.
Instead of a $15 basic top, you’re looking at:
- Better fabric
- Four-way stretch
- Tailored silhouettes
- High-rise waistbands
- Specialty pockets
- Fashion colors
- Technical textile treatments
- More sophisticated jackets and layers
The obvious question is:
Are premium scrubs worth it?
Sometimes.
But definitely not automatically.
At current pricing, core FIGS scrub tops are around $42, with standard pants around $52, putting a basic set near $94 before tax.
Jaanuu’s current core men’s tops are around $38, with straight-leg pants around $48, while some women’s premium tops reach the mid-$40s to low-$50s.
That’s a meaningful jump from basic workwear.
Here are the premium scrub brands and collections we’d consider first.
Affiliate disclosure: Suitcases & Scrubs may earn a commission from qualifying purchases made through links on this page, at no additional cost to you.
Shopping for luxury & premium scrubs?
Quick Picks: Best Premium Scrubs
| Pick | Best For |
|---|---|
| FIGS FIONx | Best overall premium |
| FIGS FORMx | Best performance fabric |
| Jaanuu UltraSOFT | Best soft premium option |
| Jaanuu UltraLAST | Best technical/fashion option |
| Cherokee Infinity | Best premium feel for less |
| Premium Jacket + Mid-Price Scrubs | Best strategic splurge |
Our Overall Pick: FIGS
For a true premium scrub wardrobe, FIGS remains the benchmark we’d compare everything else against.
The company offers:
- Multiple women’s and men’s silhouettes
- Petite and tall options
- Extended sizing
- Four-way stretch
- Moisture-wicking fabric
- Coordinating outerwear
- Large color selection
- Maternity options
- Specialized FORMx performance scrubs
Its core FIONx tops currently start around $42, while popular pants such as Zamora joggers and Kade straight-leg pants are around $52.
Why FIGS feels premium
It’s not simply the logo.
The biggest differences are:
- Fabric
- Cut
- Consistency across collections
- Coordinating wardrobe options
If the fit works for your body, building matching sets becomes extremely easy.
Best for: Nurses who want a polished, cohesive premium wardrobe.
Shop: [Affiliate link — FIGS Scrubs]
1. FIGS FIONx — Best Everyday Premium Scrubs
FIONx is the core FIGS fabric.
Current FIGS tops use fabric marketed as:
- Four-way stretch
- Moisture-wicking
- Anti-wrinkle
- Odor-resistant
- Soft
Current basic tops such as Catarina, Casma, Leon and Chisec sit around the $42 price point, while common pants are around $52.
Why we like FIONx
It’s premium without becoming overly specialized.
You can use it for:
- ICU
- ER
- Clinic work
- L&D
- General floors
- Travel assignments
depending on your facility’s rules.
Best for
Nurses who want one premium fabric across an entire wardrobe.
2. FIGS FORMx — Best Premium Performance Scrubs
FORMx is where FIGS pushes harder into technical athletic fabric.
It’s designed around:
- Ultra-stretch
- Moisture management
- Anti-static properties
- Antimicrobial fabric treatment
- Modern fitted silhouettes
If regular scrub fabric always feels restrictive, FORMx is one of the more interesting premium choices.
Who should buy FORMx?
Nurses who:
- Move constantly
- Prefer fitted scrubs
- Hate stiff fabric
- Value technical textile features
Who probably shouldn’t?
Someone who mainly wants a recognizable premium brand.
If you’re satisfied with standard FIONx, there may be no reason to pay for additional performance features.
Shop: [Affiliate link — FIGS FORMx]
3. Jaanuu UltraSOFT — Best Soft Premium Scrubs
Jaanuu competes directly with FIGS but has its own fit and fabric approach.
Current women’s options include the UltraSOFT line, with tops such as the Cesi currently priced around $44 before promotions, and complete premium sets reaching roughly $98–102 depending on style.
Why we like UltraSOFT
Some nurses want performance.
Others just want their work clothes to stop feeling like work clothes.
UltraSOFT is aimed at the second group.
Best for
- Long shifts
- Soft-fabric fans
- People who dislike crisp workwear
- Nurses who want premium styling
Shop: [Amazon affiliate link if available — Jaanuu UltraSOFT]
4. Jaanuu UltraLAST — Best Technical/Fashion Alternative
Jaanuu’s current UltraLAST products emphasize performance features such as PFC-free liquid repellency on selected styles.
Current core men’s tops are around $38, while men’s straight-leg pants are around $48 before promotions.
That puts Jaanuu firmly in premium territory, but often a little below comparable full-price FIGS sets.
Why we like it
- Modern silhouettes
- Technical fabric
- Liquid-repellent options
- Multiple tops and pants
- Strong alternative fit
Best for: Nurses who like premium styling but don’t love the FIGS cut.
5. Cherokee Infinity — Best “Premium Enough” Option
This may be the most practical recommendation on the page.
You don’t necessarily need a luxury brand to get:
- Stretch
- Athletic styling
- Technical fabric
- Moisture management
- Odor control
- Modern silhouettes
Cherokee Infinity delivers many of those features at a more moderate price.
Why that matters
The difference between cheap Workwear and Infinity can feel substantial.
The difference between Infinity and a much more expensive premium scrub may be much smaller for some nurses.
That’s why we’d actually compare them side by side before building a $600 scrub wardrobe.
Shop: [Amazon affiliate link — Cherokee Infinity]
What Makes a Scrub “Premium”?
There’s no official standard.
We’d expect some combination of:
Better fabric
Usually softer and stretchier.
Better tailoring
More attention to:
- Rise
- Waist
- Shoulder fit
- Leg taper
- Top shape
Multiple silhouettes
Premium lines usually don’t force everyone into one pant.
Technical features
Examples include:
- Moisture wicking
- Antimicrobial treatment
- Anti-static fabric
- Liquid repellency
- Odor management
More coordinated pieces
Premium brands often sell:
- Jackets
- Underscrubs
- Vests
- Maternity pieces
- Outerwear
in matching or coordinating colors.
Does Premium Mean More Durable?
Not necessarily.
An expensive scrub may feel softer but still show wear.
A cheap polyester-heavy work scrub can sometimes survive years precisely because the fabric is less delicate.
Price doesn’t guarantee lifespan.
We’d judge durability by:
- Seam construction
- Fabric recovery
- Color retention
- Pilling
- Waistband longevity
- Repeated washing
Does Premium Mean More Comfortable?
Often—but not always.
Premium fabrics tend to offer better stretch and softness.
But fit is extremely personal.
A $94 FIGS set that doesn’t suit your proportions is worse than a $35 Cherokee set that fits perfectly.
The One-Set Test
Before buying five premium scrub sets:
Buy one.
Then actually work in it.
Not five minutes around your bedroom.
A real shift.
Pay attention around hour:
- 2
- 6
- 10
- 12
Ask:
- Did the waistband roll?
- Did the knees bag?
- Did the shirt ride up?
- Did the fabric get hot?
- Did the pockets work?
- Did you constantly adjust anything?
If you still love the scrubs at the end of the shift, buy more.
How Expensive Can a Premium Scrub Wardrobe Get?
Consider a typical current FIGS core set at roughly:
$42 top + $52 pants = $94.
Five sets:
about $470
before tax, jackets, underscrubs or accessories.
Six sets:
about $564.
That’s why premium scrub shopping deserves a little thought.
It’s not one expensive shirt anymore.
It’s a wardrobe.
The Smart Hybrid Strategy
You don’t have to choose:
all budget
or
all luxury.
We actually like this approach better:
- 2–3 favorite premium sets
- 2–3 mid-priced work sets
- 1 cheap emergency set
That gives you premium comfort without spending hundreds unnecessarily.
Where We’d Splurge First
If you want one premium item, we’d probably choose:
Pants
Waistband, stretch and rise have a major impact on comfort.
Jacket
A good jacket can last through several generations of scrub sets.
Your favorite set
Keep one premium outfit for days when you simply want to feel more put together.
Premium Scrubs for Travel Nurses
Travel nurses should be cautious about buying too much of one color.
Your next facility may require:
- Navy
- Royal
- Ceil blue
- Black
- Another department-specific color
Build premium sets in common colors you’re likely to reuse.
Buy cheaper sets when an assignment requires a temporary oddball color.
Premium Scrubs vs. Shoes: Where Should You Spend?
If the budget forces you to choose:
Buy the better shoes first.
You’re standing and walking on them for hours.
Then upgrade your scrubs.
A luxury uniform doesn’t compensate for miserable feet.
Are FIGS Worth It?
For some nurses, absolutely.
FIGS makes the most sense if:
- You love the fit
- You value soft four-way stretch
- You want matching pieces
- You wear the same uniform colors consistently
- You can afford multiple sets comfortably
They’re less compelling if:
- Your assignments frequently change colors
- The fit doesn’t suit your body
- You’re still in nursing school
- Buying enough sets strains your budget
Is Jaanuu Worth It?
Jaanuu makes sense for nurses who value:
- Modern styling
- Soft fabrics
- Technical textile treatments
- Alternative fit to FIGS
It’s worth trying precisely because premium scrub fit varies so much by brand.
Frequently Asked Questions
What are the best premium scrubs?
FIGS is our overall premium pick because of its broad lineup, performance fabrics and range of silhouettes.
How much does a FIGS scrub set cost?
At current full-price core pricing, a $42 top paired with a $52 pant is roughly $94 before tax.
Is Jaanuu cheaper than FIGS?
It can be depending on the style and promotions. Current Jaanuu men’s core examples include $38 tops and $48 pants, while FIGS core examples include $42 tops and $52 pants.
Are expensive scrubs actually better?
They often have softer fabric, more stretch and more sophisticated fits, but expensive doesn’t automatically mean better for your body.
Should new nurses buy premium scrubs?
We’d wait until you know your employer’s required color and have worked enough shifts to know what fit you actually prefer.
Our Verdict
For a true premium scrub wardrobe, FIGS is our overall pick.
For maximum technical stretch, try FIGS FORMx.
For a softer alternative with a different fit, Jaanuu deserves comparison.
But our most practical advice is:
Don’t confuse expensive with automatically better.
A premium scrub is worth the money when the fabric, waistband and fit noticeably improve twelve hours of your life.
If they don’t?
Spend the difference somewhere else.
Ready to pick one?