Doctors often face a tough time choosing the right lab coat due to the plethora of options available. With different styles, fabrics, lengths and functionalities, it can be extremely overwhelming to choose the one that matches your needs.
If you are looking for a lab coat, here are a few questions that you need to ask yourself:
1. Work Setting
The first thing that you need to consider is that the coat you choose serves the job. For instance, in a hospital, you needs coats that offer superior coverage to protect against contaminants. In a clinic, you may want to wear a consultation coat that looks great and feels even better. If you are working dental office, knit cuffs and full closure are a better choice as they protect against splatter. Similarly, for vets, you need a lab coat that does not catch pet hair.
2. Body Shape
For female doctors, taking the body type into consideration is of utmost importance. However, this does not generally apply on men. In order to look exceptional at work, you need a lab coat that compliments your body type. Many tailored lab coats have darts, princess seams and tapered cuts that enhance your body shape. However, you need to be careful that you choose these tailored lab coats as per your body type. For instance, if you are bulky, a tailored lab coat might just not look as good as a boxy one.
3. Fabric Of The Lab Coat
Most lab coat vendors such as JustLabCoats have a variety of lab coats in different fabrics. The common ones are Poly Cotton Poplin, Twill, Cotton, etc. Primarily, if you see the word poplin, it means the fabric will be light and breathable, while twill is heavier and crisper. Generally, the fabric blend is listed on the website.
Here are a few popular fabric blends:- POPLIN: It is also known as broadcloth. It is a plain weaved fabric with threads crossing over alternatively under one another. This results in durability, smoothness and a silk like feel with high thread count.
- Twill: This fabric is crafted using weft threads that runs under and over several warp thread to give a thicker feel. This ultimately created patterns like diagonal rib, herringbone, houndstooth, etc. known for its durability, this fabric is ideal for colder regions.
- Micro Sanded: Such lab coats are abraded on the surface for a flexible drape and a flannel feel. This lab coat is not suited for Vets as hair will cling to it more than other fabric blends.
Moreover, you get lab coats in specialty fabric such as barrier protection and fluid resistance. Similarly, a comfortable stretch fabric antimicrobial technology, etc. are also a popular choice.
Moreover, you get lab coats in specialty fabric such as barrier protection and fluid resistance. Similarly, a comfortable stretch fabric antimicrobial technology, etc. are also a popular choice.
4. Length Of The Lab Coat
Lab coats come in a variety of length. The length are often labeled as center back length. The center back length is measured from the center of the back from where the collar gets attached to the coats to the bottom.
Standard Lengths:
- Consultation length = 27 - 32 inches
- Mid Length = 29 - 35 inches
- Full Length = 36 - 45 inches