Fun fact: Kukui’s lab coat in Sun and Moon is the same that his wife Burnet had in Pokémon Dream Radar, released four years earlier as part of Gen 5

Yes, the length is different, and lab coats usually look pretty similar anyways, but compare them to every other professor's coat. No buttons, and the same shape of pockets and flaps. The rolled-up sleeves are an extra detail. I think it's clear that the similarity is 100% intentional