Fashion trends don't just change in our personal life -- corporate attire and work wear move with the times too. Doctors in the UK will no longer have to wear the iconic white lab coat when practicing.
"Now condemned as a harbinger of infection, some NHS trusts have already banned the garment on the wards and the government expects all to follow suit by January," the BBC reported. "The irony is that the white coat was first introduced in the 19th Century in part to prevent cross-contamination."
So if we want to dress up as a doctor on Halloween, what on earth will we wear?
"From next month, all junior doctors starting work at West Middlesex hospital will be provided with tunic-style uniforms in bright blue - made of an 'infection fighting' material. It is apparently sleeveless, roomy, and the large pockets within it are trumpeted as a particular boon for the female staff."
So how will we tell them apart from the nurses? And what about Dr. House? Is he going to be changing his attire on the hit TV show, too?
Docs Ditch White Lab Coats
Medical Fashion
Trend Themes
1. Abandoning White Lab Coats - The shift away from white lab coats in the medical industry presents an opportunity for manufacturers of alternative medical attire.
2. Infection-fighting Materials - The adoption of infection-fighting materials in medical uniforms opens up possibilities for advancements in antimicrobial textiles and clothing.
3. Customized and Differentiated Attire - The need for distinguishing doctors from nurses through attire creates opportunities for designers to create unique and functional medical uniforms.
Industry Implications
1. Medical Attire Manufacturing - Manufacturers of medical attire can capitalize on the transition away from white lab coats by developing innovative and stylish alternatives.
2. Antimicrobial Textiles - The demand for infection-fighting materials in medical uniforms creates opportunities for the antimicrobial textiles industry to develop new products and solutions.
3. Medical Uniform Design - The shift in medical attire presents a market for designers to create customized and differentiated uniforms that enable easy identification of medical professionals.