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I Didn’t See Myself in Scrubs — So I Created Ourz Scrubs



Collena wearing Ourz Scrubs in green—because confidence isn’t optional, it’s part of the uniform.
Collena wearing Ourz Scrubs in green—because confidence isn’t optional, it’s part of the uniform.

The Moment I Realized Something Was Missing


Being a first-generation doctor, it is hard to know what to expect until you complete each step toward your goal. The journey itself is a financial investment long before receiving your doctorate title. You start by paying to take qualifying exams after college, then paying to apply to different schools and travel for interviews. Until you make those investments, you never truly know if it will all be worth it until you are finally accepted into an accredited school.


Once you make it, you go into even more debt to complete school. After graduation, you must also ensure you have the professional attire needed to interview and begin your career.

When I finally received the offer for my first career position, I realized it was time to purchase my work uniform. I needed five pairs of scrubs and, even on the less expensive side, it would cost at least $150. Many scrubs were expensive, so I decided to purchase a few inexpensive pairs from Amazon, thinking scrubs were simply workwear.


I quickly realized that was not the case.


I became constantly aware of my scrubs depending on how ill-fitting they were. Not only were some pairs uncomfortable, but after washing them, the material would either shrink or lose its integrity altogether. As my search for the perfect pair of scrubs unexpectedly grew longer, I found myself continuously purchasing one or two pairs at a time, hoping to finally find scrubs that would not make me want to take them off the moment I got home from work.


The discomfort caused additional stress as I entered the real world practicing as a new graduate. I constantly worried about how my scrubs looked and felt while interacting with patients.


Prior to pregnancy, I was petite but still “slim-thick.” At the time, I was 5’4” and weighed 125 pounds, but I wore a size 5 in jeans. My hips were wider, and I constantly dealt with the “gap” that comes with jeans that do not stretch properly when your waist is smaller than your hips. Most of the scrubs I purchased completely hid my shape. I was not trying to show off my figure, but my waist was naturally defined, and I disliked the rectangular look most scrubs created.


Despite wearing an extra-small top and small bottoms, I still could not find scrubs that properly fit my body type. By the end of each workday, I wanted to rip them off.


In 2020, I was laid off due to the unknown dangers surrounding COVID, and my profession was considered high risk. During that time, I also discovered I was pregnant, and my body quickly began to change. I immediately knew I could not continue wearing the same scrubs.

The many pairs I had already purchased became uncomfortably tight, and I could not keep investing in scrubs that showed no consideration for a pear-shaped expecting mother. I went from 125 pounds to over 150 pounds and was still gaining weight. At one point, I even considered wearing sweatpants to work.


The issue was that I was the dentist — the leader of the office — and I still needed to present myself professionally while setting an example for my staff. I began dreading going to work because of the uncertainty surrounding my wardrobe.


That was the beginning of Ourz Scrubs.


I started designing with every woman in mind. I created my own draft sketches and sent my novice artwork to multiple seamstresses. I researched the proper documentation and manufacturing processes required to properly produce medical scrubs and began the process of fabrication.


Each time new samples arrived, I sent them out to trusted people in my circle who I knew would be honest with me. I listened carefully to their concerns, modified the original designs, and tried again.


It took over two years to develop the final product. I went out of my way to be inclusive, and that required consistent rebuilding, multiple alterations to the designs, revisions to the size chart, and ensuring the scrubs were durable enough for everyday life. The durability process also required holding manufacturers accountable for producing quality products consistently.


Initially, this process was simply about finding scrubs that fit my own body comfortably. Eventually, I realized this need extended far beyond me. I wanted other women to experience the same comfort I had worked so hard to create.


Ourz Scrubs were designed with you and every woman you can think of in mind.

The material was carefully selected to move with you instead of against you, breathing alongside you even in the most stressful environments. Ourz Scrubs tops feature carefully designed chest folds that accentuate the waistline, while additional top length helps ensure proper coverage throughout the workday.


The fabric provides a durable stretch that comfortably accommodates fuller hips without restricting movement, with sizing ranging from XS to 3XL. None of this would have been possible without the honest feedback and constructive criticism from the people closest to me.


Ourz Scrubs understands that your uniform does not just exist inside the workplace. Your day starts long before your shift begins and continues long after work ends. The last thing any working woman needs to think about while at work is how uncomfortable her workwear feels.


Personally, I had my first child in 2021 and another in 2022. During that period, I was working an hour away from daycare and did not have time to change clothes before getting into the car to pick up my children. Once I left work, I immediately had to sit in 5 o’clock traffic to make it to daycare before closing.


As my children have gotten older, life has only become busier. After work, I still need to make it to daycare on time and get my children to extracurricular activities without constantly thinking about how my scrubs feel.


My scrubs need to follow me through my day.



Being a young Black woman in the medical field comes with its own unique challenges. That includes how I am perceived and how I present myself professionally. Patients often question my age and experience, while my body shape can sometimes make me feel self-conscious. I am consistently aware of how my appearance may influence how patients or staff perceive me.


Once I leave work, I return home to manage a household with two energetic boys who keep me constantly moving. After they finally go to bed, I fulfill orders from women who have finally found a solution for comfortable workwear — knowing they have found scrubs designed with their real lives in mind.


Despite taking on multiple roles, I have realized these responsibilities all require the same things: attention, compassion, and understanding. My patients, my children, and my customers all want to feel heard and supported. As this business continues to grow, I can clearly see how my experiences in each of these roles allow me to better serve women who are constantly being pulled in multiple directions.


I look forward to continuing to serve you through more comfortable workwear, knowing your purchase is one less thing for you to worry about throughout your day.


Be sure to reference the custom Ourz Scrubs size chart that took years to develop. These flattering medical scrubs were made for the everyday curvy working woman. You may be surprised by how much your curves were truly taken into consideration.


Explore our "collection of curvy-friendly scrubs" designed for comfort, confidence, and long healthcare shifts.


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