Why The Lab Coat Changed Medical History

An article for How We Get To Next about the cultural history of the lab coat.

As part of How We Get To Next’s “Sartorial” theme month, I wrote about the cultural history of the lab coat. Here’s an excerpt:

“Leslie Latterman is one of those who’ve improved substantially on the traditional lab coat, rebuilding it from scratch with women in mind. In 2014, after a long night shift during which she complained her lab coat was “dingy and heavy and it fit me like a tent,” she gathered together a group of women doctors to come up with a solution.

The result was the Signature Lab Coat. It adds several features that elevate it above the traditional design, from velcro epaulets that can securely store a stethoscope, to an internal wallet, roll-up sleeves, soft antibacterial fabric, and dedicated pockets for pagers, cellphones, instruments, and pens. Most importantly, it’s cut to fit a woman’s body, rather than a man’s.”

You can read the full article here.