# Docs Ditch White Lab Coats Medical Fashion By Bianca | Published 2007-09-18 | Fashion Source: Trend Hunter, https://www.trendhunter.com/trends/docs-ditch-white-lab-coats References: [news.bbc](http://news.bbc.co.uk/2/hi/health/6998877.stm) Fashion trends don't just change in our personal life -- [corporate attire and work wear](https://www.trendhunter.com/trends/12th-tribe-x-corporate-natalie) 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](https://www.trendhunter.com/trends/west-coast-ivy) will be provided with [tunic-style uniforms](https://www.trendhunter.com/trends/fira-x-wear) 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? ## Trend Insights (Trend Hunter) - Score: 1.3/10 - Popularity: 19% | Activity: 13% | Freshness: 8% - Audience gender: 50% men, 50% women - Primary generations: Millennial - Top markets: North America, Europe ## Categories [Trend Hunter](https://www.trendhunter.com/trends) > [Fashion](https://www.trendhunter.com/fashion) > [Hip Fashion](https://www.trendhunter.com/hipfashion) ## Key Themes ### Key Themes Behind This Trend - **Abandoning White Lab Coats:** The shift away from white lab coats in the medical industry presents an opportunity for manufacturers of alternative medical attire. - **Infection-fighting Materials:** The adoption of infection-fighting materials in medical uniforms opens up possibilities for advancements in antimicrobial textiles and clothing. - **Customized and Differentiated Attire:** The need for distinguishing doctors from nurses through attire creates opportunities for designers to create unique and functional medical uniforms. ### Where This Applies - **Medical Attire Manufacturing:** Manufacturers of medical attire can capitalize on the transition away from white lab coats by developing innovative and stylish alternatives. - **Antimicrobial Textiles:** The demand for infection-fighting materials in medical uniforms creates opportunities for the antimicrobial textiles industry to develop new products and solutions. - **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. ## Related on Trend Hunter - [100% Recyclable Lab Coats](https://www.trendhunter.com/trends/recyclable-lab-coat.md) - [White Denim Fashion Collections](https://www.trendhunter.com/trends/house-of-hellmanns.md) - [Exclusive Seasonal Scrubs](https://www.trendhunter.com/trends/holiday-scrubs.md) - [Performance Scrubwear](https://www.trendhunter.com/trends/figs.md) - [Color-Changing Wound Dressings](https://www.trendhunter.com/trends/colorchanging-wound-dressings.md) - [Revolutionary Medical Workwear](https://www.trendhunter.com/trends/jaanuu.md) - [Charitable AIDS-Focused Medical Scrubs](https://www.trendhunter.com/trends/hivaids-prevention.md) - [Activewear Medical Apparel Crossovers](https://www.trendhunter.com/trends/figs-x-set-active.md) - [Tech Brand Apparel Collections](https://www.trendhunter.com/trends/nothing-apparel.md)