Chef’s coat. The white coat signifies cleanliness, whereas the thick cloth shields the chef from the heat coming from the stove and oven. It also guards him from the splattering of boiling liquids. The double-breasted jacket is meant to conceal dirt and stains when it is overturned. In traditional chef’s clothes, knotted cloth buttons are used because they survive numerous washings and they endure contact with hot items without melting.