Children especially respond to the warmth of bright colors such as red and pink, while they're calmed by the presence of light blue or navy lab coats. Pediatricians and pediatric nurses have both reported that the trend for colorful medical attire, including lab coats, has helped establish trust with their young patients.
As one nurse wrote on a bulletin board about why she wears colored lab coats: "It serves me 3 purposes: keeps me warm, has lots of pockets, covers up my butt."
Other medical and scientific workers, especially those who work daily in laboratories, have opted for colored coats for many reasons. Colored lab coats distinguish other workers from senior doctors or scientists, giving them a separate identity. As with the children mentioned above, medical workers in colored lab coats tend to encounter less anxiety among patients, such as when it's necessary to take a blood sample.
Lab coats are designed to be removed quickly in a case of a spill. That's why most knee-length coats tend to snap closed, while shorter lab coats often have zippers.
The most popular fabric for colored lab coats is a 35/65 cotton-polyester blend fabric. This material is comfortable and lightweight, resists stains and wrinkles and can be treated with flame and chemical retardants. While a basic unisex lab coat can be purchased for as little as $20, colored lab coats that are treated with retardants can cost $100 or more.
Most colored lab coats are made from a 35/65 cotton-polyester blend fabric that's lightweight and comfortable. This type of fabric resists stains and wrinkles and can be washed in hot water to remove germs. Colored lab coats in this type of fabric also can be treated to be flame and chemical resistant in case of laboratory accidents.
There are also several styles of colored lab coats. These include: long length, short length, lab jackets, sleeveless lab vests and fitted lab coats tailored for men and women. It's possible to purchase a unisex colored lab coat for as little as $20, but many professionals prefer something with a closer fit.
While style can matter, remember that the point of a lab coat is to protect the worker. As long as it does that, whether white or colored, loose or fitted, long or short, the lab coat serves its purpose.







