3 Reasons Why Scientists Asked for a Black Lab Coat

(Hint: It’s not just for the mad scientist Halloween costume vibes)

When you think of a lab coat, your mind probably jumps straight to a crisp white coat, maybe paired with a Marie Curie costume or a serious scientist hunched over glassware. But after surveying over 300 scientists, we learned something surprising: black was the most requested lab coat color after classic white.

Why black? It turns out there's more to it than just the aesthetic of a mad scientist or a biology-themed Halloween costume. Here are the top three reasons black lab coats are in demand—drawn from our survey and echoed in online conversations across the science community.

1. Color-Coding for Cross-Contamination

In many labs, particularly those with high biosafety or cross-disciplinary workflows, color-coded lab coats aren’t just helpful—they're essential. One respondent told us:

“...labs just outright need different colors because they color-code them for different process steps or rooms to prevent cross-contamination.”

Black lab coats help teams visually distinguish between clean and dirty zones, or between tasks involving sensitive materials like animal handling or blood.

2. Permanent Stains—Especially Blood and Rodent Work

If you’ve ever done any work with blood, pigments, or rodents, you already know what happens to a white lab coat over time: it becomes a splotchy brown and grey mess. Several scientists in public forums shared their experiences:

“I’ve gotten so many stains on white coats that never washed out. They’d come back from the laundry service looking barely better than they did when I sent them out. Dark lab coats for the win.”

And one particularly vivid story:

“I once spilled some dark red dye on a white one... it barely washed out. Looked basically like a huge blood stain. Kind of as if I had just slaughtered something very violently lol. Yeah, I did not wear that one again.”

Dark colors like black hide these kinds of stains better, making the coat last longer and look more professional—no matter how gruesome your workflow might be.

3. Self-Expression (and Not Losing Your Coat Again)

In big labs or shared classrooms, all-white coats quickly become a sea of uniformity. A black coat is easier to identify and less likely to get accidentally taken or stolen.

As one commenter put it:

“Colour doesn’t matter. I‘d say most people will rather envy you and find it cool... If you have a colourful one you can easily tell them apart and it’s less likely to get stolen.”

Others customize their coats with embroidery, patches, or personal flair. One scientist mentioned:

“Too many people don’t properly label theirs... you easily end up digging through 20 of them looking at the tags trying to find yours.”

And of course, we loved this comment:

“Good way to avoid the dirt collar of shame.”

Or this cheeky one:

“Black sheep of your lab?”

Wearing black might just be a subtle (or not-so-subtle) form of scientific rebellion—and we love that energy.

Will black lab coats hide contamination and pose a risk? 

This is a common cause for concern among experienced scientists and professors. It’s true that white will usually show you more quickly that you just dripped a chemical on yourself or picked up some biological stain.

But this isn’t always true. Many labs work with white nanopowders, which would show up better on black lab coats. Have grey hair? Black will show it better. Spill solvent on your sleeve? It’s colorless, so the color doesn’t matter. Most acids will eat through the fibers without showing any color, either. 

In the end, it comes down to what you’re working with and if there are hazards that require you to immediately notice and remove the coat when exposed - and what color those show up best on. 

No matter the color, you should also maintain a regular washing schedule - and inspect your lab coat after every research session. The black lab coats aren’t meant to let you avoid washing it for months, they are meant to look better when a white lab coat would otherwise have permanent stains after washing.

How to clean and wash lab coats
Lab coat safety and care instructions

More Reasons Scientists Choose Black

While stain-hiding, color-coding, and self-expression topped the list, here are a few more reasons scientists gave us for switching to black:

• Psychological Impact – Some researchers said wearing black makes them feel more confident or authoritative, especially when teaching or managing others.
• Better for Photos & Video – For science influencers or educators, black coats reflect less light and glare on camera.
  
• Sustainability – Black coats show less visible dirt and can go longer between washes, saving water and energy.
  
• Neurodivergent Accessibility – White lab coats under bright lights can be overstimulating; black is easier on the eyes for some neurodivergent scientists.

Our Customers Asked for It, So We’re Delivering

After hearing from over 300 scientists, we’re rolling out our new black lab coat line, just in time for Halloween and the rest of your career.

Whether you’re gearing up for a Marie Curie black lab coat outfit, dressing as a mad scientist with a flair for biology and blood, or just want to stop worrying about that mystery stain from six months ago… this coat’s for you.

Survey Results

Here’s how lab coat color preferences stacked up among our 300+ survey respondents:

Got thoughts on lab coat colors?

Tell us your weirdest stain story or show us your embroidered masterpiece by tagging us on social. Because science should be functional and fun!

Want to get a black lab coat of your own? Check out our full collection of lab coats for scientists.