Lab coats are white overcoats that are usually knee length and worn mostly by health care professionals such as physicians, surgeons, chiropractors, veterinarians, pharmacists or those who work in a laboratory such as lab technicians and scientists.
The lab coat is often worn by doctors and is seen by some as a symbol of knowledge. Doctors usually wear lab coats while they are making their rounds in hospitals, treating patients in an office environment, or consulting with patients and families. Physicians will either wear their lab coat over their scrubs especially if they are in a hospital environment but can opt to wear the lab coat over street clothes such as slacks and a shirt if seeing and treating patients in an office situation.
The pockets on a lab coat provide physicians with a place to store their stethoscope when it is not in use as well as pens and other items of importance.
Those who work in a laboratory wear lab coats over their street clothes as a way to protect their clothing as well as their skin from any substance or chemical they may come in contact with during the course of a work day.
Most lab coats are embroidered with the health care professional or the laboratory workers name so that they can be properly identified at all times.
Lab coats are typically made out of cotton, polyester, or a cotton/poly blend. Although lab coats are often used as a proactive layer between clothing and skin the average lab coat is not flame retardant.
Lab coats can be found in many different styles and are evening being made in different colors and patterns however the white lab coat is still the most recognizable color for lab coats and probably will always be the color associated with them.