There are two main environments where one may wear a lab coat, in a scientific setting such as an actual lab, and in a clinical setting, such as a medical facility.
Case-by-case, the demands of these environments vary, as do the needs of the individuals who would work in these places. Presumably, you are reading this because you are one of those people…
This blog will walk through the considerations for selecting the right coat for you. The goal is that you are able to select a coat which best suits not only your job, but your body, and your personal preference for work wear.
Five considerations will inform your decision: the materials, manufacturer, features, length, and cut.
One could approach theses consideration in any order, but starting with materials will matter from a functional standpoint. I’ll explain at the end why cut matters least.
Materials
The textiles which make up your coat may be the only thing between your clothing and a dangerous substance or fire. For this reason, take time to consider the fabric.
A great example of a coat that offers a higher level of protection is the Bulwark FR Nomex Snap-Front FR Lab Coat, which features Nomex IIIA, a very effective flame-resistant material.
The IIIA version of Nomex is a blend of 93% Nomex blended with 5% Kevlar and 2% antistatic fiber. Ripped from 3M’s site, “it minimizes break-open and expands to form a stable and inert barrier between the fire and skin.”
Coats without Nomex IIIA are simply not equipped to offer this level of protection. With few exceptions, most coats will come in cotton, polyester or a blend of the two.
Some blends will incorporate nylon instead of polyester, the end result being about the same. Cotton is the most common base fiber for a weave.
In general, cotton is more comfortable, lightweight, and breathable. Polyester coats look sharp but may not be as comfortable. That said, polyester has come a long way.
Poplin is another popular textile, usually made from cotton, but not necessarily. It’s a soft and pliable textile.
Manufacturer
Unlike buying street clothes, picking the best manufacturer for your workwear is less about ego and more about practical matters. Most buyers will start with their budget as the primary deciding factor.
The great thing about workwear is that even the low-cost options don’t sacrifice quality, only features, and few at that.
On balance, low-cost brands enjoy the same time-honored reputations of their higher-cost options.
Red Kap, as a brand, is a good place to start for economic options in general. Lab coats are no exception, but Fashion Seal also offers some low-cost options.
Red Kap has been manufacturing beautiful, sturdy workwear since your great-grandparents were your age.
Fashion Seal offers the broadest spectrum of cost options, spanning from low-cost quality coats to more featured, high-end versions.
Bulwark is a great source for those needing more than a covering, but protection from the worst lab accidents with their Nomex coats. They share this space with Big Bill FR, who offers a variety of cuts for men and women with Nomex as well.
Features
The main feature of lab coats, as they are otherwise simple garments, are the pockets. Coats range from pocketless to four-pocket systems, three pockets being the most common.
The pocketless versions are mostly for labs where pockets would only serve to catch dropped materials, possibly creating a hazard for the wearer.
Most professionals want someplace to stash work tools or stuff their hands, so most coats have two lower front pockets. The third pocket on the chest of the jacket makes for a place to stuff pens and place a name tag.
Vents are another feature to consider, as they allow even a heavy coat to breathe. Some coats come with straps or snaps at the end of the sleeves, and belts at the waist, allowing the wearer to adjust the fit to each work situation.
As a unique example, this unisex coat from Red Kap features knit cuffs at the ends of the sleeves, allowing the wearer to push up the sleeves and keep unwanted materials from easily entering the sleeves.
Length
Deciding the desired length of your coat will come down to the type of work, the employer’s wishes, and your personal preferences.
Employers may dictate the range. Otherwise, consider the mobility of your job before you cantor to your fashion sense.
There are three main lengths of lab coats. The shortest version is a consultation length, which captures coats from 27 to 32 inches. Mid-length coats range from 29 to 35 inches in length. Full-length coats hang 36 to 45 inches in length, as low as the knees.
The mid-length is the Goldilocks size, but not necessarily the best option for you. A longer coat will offer more protection but may be too restrictive for some jobs.
One should only wear a consultative length coat in a job where the coat is more suggestive of a professional environment with little or no need for protection needed.
Some coats, such as the specialty lab coats for flame resistance may offer length options in the list of features, even if the image next to the product is the wrong length.
For this reason, it’s wise to consider length as one of the last features for picking your lab coat.
Cut
Deciding on the sort of cut you want to wear will stay in the back of your mind as you start your search, but it should be the last thing you consider.
Don’t let finding the exact fit deter you too much. We’ll come back to why in a second.
Fit matters, but not too much. While it may seem like a trivial aspect of work wear, not worth the time, consider that this coat may spend more time with you than your family.
In general, almost any lab coat in the correct size, even if the cut isn’t perfect, will fit more comfortably than say a pair of twisted undergarments. But, if your coat isn’t at least big enough for your build, you’ll spend your fighting for comfort.
The best place to begin your search is with your physique. Coats today come in a variety of cuts, including sportier cuts, and more traditional ones.
If you have a larger build, buying a fitted lab coat will likely feel restrictive and revealing. On the flip side, a tailor can customize a quality coat like any other suit coat if you can’t find one fitted to your slender build.
For many practitioners, this is the ideal way to make sure any coat fits perfectly. Still, start with the cut that fits best, then take it to a tailor.
The less fabric that tailor has to remove, the better the final product.
Many professionals want to have more than one coat, either to stay fresh or alternate styles. Most find they can wear the same lab coat more than one day without causing a stink.
If you’re on a budget and only needing one coat to start, don’t stress. If you can manage, once you find the right coat for you, we recommend you grab a few of them as you’re likely wearing the coat for a reason.
You’re going to stain your coat. Even the best coats will have to someday retire or at least go through a wash cycle. Best to be prepared, yes?
That was the whole purpose behind the lab coat in the first place.
About the Author
Nick Warrick
Nick Warrick is the Sales Manager at All Seasons Uniforms. With over 15 years of experience in the work uniform business, he has worked with hundreds of clients across 20 different industries. Holding bachelor’s degrees in both Business Administration and Information Technology, Nick revamped the company’s online presence, offering its customers a new uniform shopping experience.