Do Lab Coats Have to Be White?

Exploring the Origins, Myths, and Modern Realities of the Iconic Lab Coat

If you’ve worked in a chemistry lab or taken college biology, you’ve likely worn a white lab coat. But have you ever wondered: does it actually have to be white?

From hospital halls to Halloween parties, the lab coat tells a bigger story than you might think: one of science, symbolism, and yes, the occasional radioactive costume vial.

Why White?

White coats became common in the late 1800s, when medicine was trying to align itself with the “purity” and credibility of science. Scientists most likely wore lab coats first, but often in grey, tan, or black in an industrial environment. Doctors adopted the lab coat in the clinical setting, and in search of a rebrand they set aside their dark formal attire in favor of white coats, and soon, researchers followed their lead. The color white symbolized cleanliness and trust, which was more important for doctors seeing patients than for scientists laboring away in basement laboratories. [1,2]

…But this tradition isn’t mandated by any modern safety guideline.

Learn more about the history of the white lab coat here.

What Actually Keeps You Safe in the Lab

According to the NIH and OSHA, lab coats should be made of materials appropriate to the hazards—think flame resistance for chemistry or fluid barriers for working with infectious agents. [3,4] The color of the coat isn’t a safety requirement.

That said, white has practical advantages:

• Spill visibility: Blood, biological fluids, or chemical splashes show up more clearly on white, which helps with decontamination. [3]

• Bleachability: White coats can withstand high-heat washes and strong disinfectants making them easier to sanitize thoroughly.

But, color lab coats have their own usefulness:

• Cross-contamination control: Some institutions use color-coded lab coats to designate different departments or containment zones. [5,6]
• Visible safety indicators: Most flame-retardant (FR) lab coats are NOT white because if the fibers were dyed white, they would yellow over time with repeated washing. Leaning into this, FR coats are typically light or navy blue. In labs with varied hazards, you will know immediately if someone is not wearing an FR lab coat when they should be. [5,6]
• Detection of white contaminants: Many nanopowders and salts are more visible on a black or blue lab coat than a white lab coat. The same goes for white rodent hairs.

So while white is useful, many labs use navy, gray, or even black coats, especially when aesthetics, stains, or flame resistance are concerns.

From Mad Scientists to Marie Curie: The Lab Coat in Pop Culture

The lab coat shows up everywhere in pop culture. The stereotypical “mad scientist” often wears a white coat. Doc Brown from Back to the Future or Dr. Frankenstein come to my mind immediately. And in Phineas and Ferb, Doofenshmirtz Evil Incorporated’s resident villain rocks a white lab coat over a black outfit perfectly nailing that eccentric scientist vibe.

Halloween costumes also reflect this symbolism. Many “Marie Curie” outfits include a long black dress under a white coat. Not exactly accurate though! Some costume sellers even offer a “Marie Curie black lab coat outfit” complete with radioactive vials (green, of course).

These moments highlight how lab coats serve as cultural shorthand. Whether you’re in a college chemistry class or assembling a Halloween costume, the white coat still conveys “scientist” instantly.

So... Does It Have to Be White?

The answer is no, and most lab managers would agree. It’s not the color that matters, it’s whether the coat meets your lab’s safety requirements.

Blue lab coats are common in chemistry labs because they normally have specialized fire or chemical resistance. Biology labs may stick with white for spill visibility but many use green or blue in tissue culture work. Some institutions assign different colors by lab zone, hazard level, or even status.

So go ahead, channel your inner Doofenshmirtz, or just wear what keeps you safe and suits your lab’s needs.

3 Reasons Why Scientists Asked for a Black Lab Coat

Final Thoughts

White lab coats aren’t required—they’re just a well-worn tradition. In reality, your lab coat should match your needs: safety first, functionality second, and aesthetics a distant third. Whether it’s white, black, blue, or hot pink, the important part is that it protects you. Science can be practical and a little fun.

Dark mode isn’t just for screens

Our black lab coats are built for real labs: stain-friendly, and scientifically sleek. And they’ll also double as your perfect mad scientist Halloween costume every October.

Make the switch today. Try our new black lab coats!

References

1. Ludmerer, K. M.; Johns, M. M. E. The Doctor’s White Coat—An Historical Perspective. Virtual Mentor 2007, 9 (4), 310–314.

2. AAMC. The White Coat: Symbol of Professionalism or Hierarchical Elitism? https://www.aamc.org/news/white-coat-symbol-professionalism-or-hierarchical-elitism (accessed June 8, 2025).
   

3. NIH Division of Occupational Health and Safety. Laboratory Coat Selection Guidance. https://ors.od.nih.gov/sr/dohs/Documents/laboratory-coat-selection-guidance.pdf (accessed June 8, 2025).
   

4. OSHA. COVID-19 Control and Prevention: Laboratories. https://www.osha.gov/coronavirus/control-prevention/laboratory (accessed June 8, 2025).
   

5. CDC. Interim Infection Prevention and Control Recommendations. MMWR Suppl. 2012, 61 (01), 1–23.
   

6. UAMS Lab Coat Guide. https://communications.uams.edu/creative-services/kb/lab-coat-guide/ (accessed June 8, 2025).