What To Do If Your Medical Coat Doesn’t Fit Anymore

There’s nothing worse than spending an entire day in a piece of clothing that doesn’t fit well, particularly a medical coat. And beyond feeling uncomfortable, a white coat that doesn’t fit properly looks bad, too. If you’ve noticed your medical coat doesn’t fit quite right, or you’re looking for tips to help you improve the fit, we’ve put together a few tips and suggestions that should help.

The Importance of the White Coat

First, why is it so important for physicians to wear a white coat? It may surprise you to find out that patients care what doctors wear. Earlier this year, a BMJ Open study took a closer look at how attire impacts how patients perceive medical care. Out of the more than 4,000 surveyed patients, better than half said that what their doctor wears is important, and one-third of those patients felt that what doctors wore impacted satisfaction with medical care.

When patients were asked to rate medical providers pictured in different outfits and settings on attributes like intelligence and trustworthiness, doctors wearing formal dress and a traditional white medical coat were the most highly rated.

Finding the Perfect Fit

Whether you’re a doctor, pharmacist, lab tech, or another medical professional who wears a white coat regularly, it’s important to make sure you’re comfortable while presenting yourself well to patients. If you’ve noticed you no longer feel comfortable wearing your medical coat, it’s too large, too small, or doesn’t feel right, it’s time to invest in a new one that fits correctly. But how do you ensure you get the perfect fit? Here are a few tips to follow:

• Get the Right Body Fit – Choose a coat that fits your body perfectly. When you try on your white coat, the buttons should close without a problem and shouldn’t gap. The coat shouldn’t feel tight or get stuck around the torso or hips. You should feel comfortable.

• Pay Attention to the Shoulders and Arms – Make sure your white coat’s shoulder seams aren’t shorter than the shoulders. If you plan to wear multiple layers beneath the coat, go with one size up for a looser fit in the arms and shoulders. Ensure you can move your arms with ease and check the sleeve length. Sleeves shouldn’t be longer than your wrists.

• Choose the Right Length – The length of your coat will depend upon your height. If you’re only 5’2”, a 30-inch coat will fit you differently than someone who is 6’0” tall. Your coat should hit around mid-thigh.

• Look in the Mirror – Take a moment to look in the mirror when assessing the perfect fit. How does the white coat look on you? Is there any gaping? Does it look too large and frumpy? How does the coat move with you as you move your arms or bend over? Make sure you’re not just comfortable but satisfied with the way you look and present yourself.

Customizing Your White Coat

Once you have the perfect fit, you also have the option to create a custom medical coat with embroidery. Consider having your name, title, and perhaps even a logo added to your coat. Customized embroidery provides a professional touch and makes it easy for patients to identify you, helping you build trust and rapport as you provide medical care.