FIGS Livingston Pants: Sizing, Fit, And Best Alternatives
The FIGS Livingston pants are one of the most talked-about scrub bottoms in healthcare right now. With a jogger-style silhouette and tapered leg, they've become a go-to for medical professionals who want something that looks good and holds up through long shifts. But popularity doesn't always mean perfect fit, and sizing questions around these pants come up constantly.
Whether you're trying to decide between the high-waisted and basic versions, figuring out your size, or wondering if they're actually worth the price tag, you're in the right place. At Blue Sky Scrubs, we've spent over 20 years making scrubs in Austin, Texas, so we know what matters in medical apparel: comfort, durability, and a fit that works from hour one to hour twelve. That experience gives us a practical lens for evaluating any scrub pant, including the Livingston.
Below, we break down everything you need to know, sizing and fit details, how the variations compare, honest pros and cons, and strong alternatives worth considering if the Livingston isn't quite right for you. The goal is simple: help you make a confident decision before you spend your money.
Why FIGS Livingston pants are so popular
The FIGS Livingston pants built their reputation by solving a specific problem: most scrub bottoms force you to choose between a professional look and real comfort. These pants try to deliver both, and that's a big reason why healthcare workers talk about them constantly on forums, social media, and in break rooms.
A jogger silhouette that works on the floor
Most traditional scrub pants have a straight, boxy cut that doesn't move with your body during long shifts. The Livingston uses a tapered jogger design with an elastic waistband and drawstring, which means you get a cleaner silhouette without sacrificing range of motion. For nurses and doctors who spend hours on their feet, that design choice matters far more than it might seem.
A well-fitting scrub pant reduces the constant tugging and adjusting that distracts you during patient care.
The tapered leg keeps the fabric away from your ankles, which reduces tripping hazards and makes the pants look more put-together at the end of a twelve-hour shift. Wearers consistently report that the fit holds its shape throughout the day rather than stretching out or bunching around the knees.
The details that keep people coming back
Beyond the silhouette, it's the small functional details that drive repeat purchases. The Livingston includes multiple pockets positioned at a practical height, so you can reach your phone or tools without bending awkwardly. The fabric has a slight built-in stretch that accommodates different movements, from bending over a patient to climbing stairs between floors.
Both the waistband construction and the pocket placement reflect real clinical needs rather than just aesthetic choices, which is why the pants have earned a loyal following among a wide range of medical professionals.
Livingston vs. high-waisted Livingston
FIGS offers the Livingston in two waistband configurations: the standard version and the high-waisted version. Both share the same tapered jogger silhouette, but the waistband height changes how the pants feel on your body and what they look like under a scrub top.
What's different about the high-waisted version
The high-waisted Livingston sits several inches above your natural waist, which appeals to wearers who want extra coverage when bending or reaching. Many nurses prefer this version because it stays tucked in place throughout a shift without constant readjusting, especially when wearing a shorter scrub top.
If you tend to tuck in your top or wear a fitted base layer, the high-waisted cut keeps everything in position far better than the standard rise.
The standard Livingston sits at a mid-rise position, which works well if you find high-waisted waistbands uncomfortable after several hours or if you run warm and want less fabric around your core. When choosing between figs livingston pants styles, the decision usually comes down to your scrub top length and how much compression around the waist you find comfortable during long shifts.
How to choose the right size and length
FIGS sizes its pants with a waist-first approach, meaning the waist measurement drives the size recommendation rather than a combined waist-to-hip ratio. Before ordering figs livingston pants, measure your natural waist and hips and compare both to the FIGS size chart, since the tapered cut can feel snug around the hips for people with a larger hip-to-waist ratio even when the waist fits correctly.
Finding your inseam length
The Livingston comes in three inseam lengths: Petite (28"), Regular (30"), and Tall (32"). If you're between 5'4" and 5'7", the Regular length typically works well. Shorter wearers often find that Petite prevents bunching at the ankle, which becomes especially noticeable with a tapered jogger silhouette.
When in doubt, size up in length rather than down; a longer inseam is easier to manage than pants that pull tight across the thighs.
Accounting for the waistband style
If you choose the high-waisted version, keep in mind that it adds fabric coverage above your natural waist, which affects how the total rise feels throughout the day. Many wearers go true to size in both versions, but if you carry more volume around your midsection, sizing up one gives you noticeably more comfortable wear across a full shift.
Fabric, comfort, pockets, and care tips
The FIGS Livingston pants use a fabric blend that balances stretch with enough structure to hold its shape across a full shift. The material has enough give for physical tasks like bending and reaching without pilling after repeated washes, which is where cheaper scrub fabrics tend to fail early.
Pockets, comfort, and care
Pocket placement is one detail where these pants deliver: pockets sit at a practical mid-thigh height, keeping your tools and phone accessible without awkward bending during patient care. The fabric also stays breathable and non-clingy through long shifts, handling temperature changes between warm patient rooms and cooled hallways without sticking to your legs.
If you run hot during shifts, pair the Livingston with a moisture-wicking base layer to keep temperature in check.
Your care routine is simple but matters: machine wash cold, tumble dry low, and skip fabric softener, since it degrades stretch fibers over time. Stick to that routine and the fabric holds its shape and stretch through hundreds of washes rather than breaking down after a few months.
Best alternatives to FIGS Livingston pants
If the figs livingston pants don't check every box for you, whether it's the price point, the fit, or availability, you have strong options from other brands that take comfort and function just as seriously. The Livingston does a lot well, but no single pant works for every body type or every clinical environment.
Blue Sky Scrubs scrub pants
Blue Sky Scrubs has spent over 20 years building scrub pants designed specifically for medical professionals who need durability, comfort, and a fit that holds up through long shifts. The pants come in multiple fabrics and cuts, so you can find a silhouette that suits your body without overpaying for a brand name.
If the Livingston's tapered jogger cut isn't working for your body type, a straight-leg or relaxed cut often fits more comfortably across the hips and thighs.
Your best starting point is Blue Sky Scrubs, where you can browse by fabric type, cut, and inseam length to find a pant that fits your clinical needs and your budget without compromise.
Quick recap
The figs livingston pants offer a tapered jogger fit that genuinely works through long clinical shifts, with practical pockets, stretch fabric, and two waistband options to match your body and your scrub top setup. Sizing runs true for most wearers, but check your hip measurement against the size chart before ordering, and pick your inseam length carefully to avoid bunching at the ankle.
If the Livingston doesn't fit your budget or body type, Blue Sky Scrubs gives you a strong alternative built on over 20 years of experience crafting medical apparel that holds up through demanding shifts. From fabric choice to cut, you get options that match your specific clinical needs without compromise. Your full wardrobe deserves the same attention you gave your scrub pants, so explore the complete lineup including women's scrub hats and surgical caps at Blue Sky Scrubs and find gear that fits the way you actually work.
