What Size Lab Coat Does My Child Need? A Parent's Guide
If your child's school booklist says "lab coat" and nothing else, you're not alone — "what size lab coat does a Year 7 need?" is one of the most common questions we get from parents. The good news: school lab coat sizing is much simpler than regular clothing sizes, because a lab coat is meant to fit loose. This guide walks you through it step by step, in plain English.
The Quick Answer
A lab coat doesn't need to fit like a jacket. It needs to:
- Cover the school shirt or dress underneath — so it should sit at or just above the knee
- Sit just past the wrist bone so sleeves protect the forearm without hanging over the hands
- Fasten comfortably without pulling across the chest
If your child is between two sizes, go up, not down. A slightly big lab coat is safe and comfortable. A tight one is neither — and students grow fast in high school.
Sizing by Year Level (From Our Sizing Chart)
Our sizing chart includes a "Suggested Year" column for exactly this question. This is what it says:
| Size | Chest (flat) | Length | Suggested Year |
|---|---|---|---|
| XXS | 50cm | 95cm | Year 7 |
| XS | 53cm | 98cm | Year 7–8 |
| S | 56cm | 101cm | Year 8–9 |
| M | 58cm | 103cm | Year 9–10 |
| L | 60cm | 107cm | Year 11–12 |
| XL | 63cm | 110cm | Year 12+ |
(Larger sizes up to 3XL are in the full Sizing Chart — taller senior students sometimes need them.)
Important: if your child's school is booklisted with us, check your school's page first — many schools specify an exact size or style, and we list it there.
How to Check the Size (2 Minutes, No Measuring Tape Needed)
You don't need to measure your child at all. The easiest way is to compare a garment they already own:
- Find a coat, jumper or blazer your child wears over other clothes — something with a similar loose fit
- Lay it flat on a table and measure it the way our chart does: armpit to armpit for chest, top of collar to hem for length
- Compare the numbers to the size chart on our Sizing Chart page
The chart does the rest — every size from XXS to 3XL is listed with chest, sleeve and length measurements.
Common Parent Questions
Should I buy a size up so it lasts longer?
For students in Year 7–9, many parents do size up — a lab coat worn weekly still has room to grow into. Just don't go more than one size up, or the sleeves get in the way of practical work.
My school just says "lab coat" with no size. What do I do?
Use the Suggested Year table above as a starting point, then check the Sizing Chart. If you're still unsure, contact us with your child's height and year level — we answer sizing questions every day and are happy to help.
What about navy vs white?
That's set by the school, not the size. Your school's booklist will say. Both colours come in every size.
Do you exchange sizes if I get it wrong?
Yes. We have a simple returns and exchanges process — see our Returns & Exchanges page for the details.
The Easiest Option: Check Your School's Booklist
If your school is one of the 350+ schools we supply, the fastest path is to find your school on our Booklisted Schools page. We'll show you the exact coat, colour, and size range your school has chosen — no guessing needed.
Ready to order? Browse the Shop or use your school's page for the booklisted item.
Looking for a Specific Year Level?
We've broken the sizing guide down year by year for parents who want a quick answer for their child's exact year: