I often wonder if white lab coats exist just to make people who are not importaint feel that they are.
'Hello John, you'll be working in this cupboard here, know one will ever know you exist, only three other people will ever care about your work, here's your lab coat.'
They never seem to twig that no one else ever wants to wear one! Cowboys wore jeans, other people liked the idea and bought them. Working boots, suits, the list goes on but have you ever heard anyone say 'I think a white lab coat would look really cool on Saturday night'?
Poor fools. I'd pitty them if they didn't waste so much money!