Protective clothing should ideally provide maximum comfort and protection for the wearer. The design and fit of a garment are factors which can affect both the protective aspects of a garment as well as its comfort. Proper garment fit depends on the relationship of the size of the garment compared with the size of the wearer. Garment ease (where the garment is larger than the wearer) should allow for comfort and mobility; both too much or too little ease can result in a garment that is uncomfortable and restrictive to movement. The purpose of this study was to explore a research technique to isolate the effects of garment ease in one area of a garment while ease in all other garment areas was controlled, and to determine a design that would maximize wearer mobility. Using five male subjects, protective overalls with differing amounts and garment location of crotch ease were evaluated for their effects on mobility and wearer acceptance. Range of motion measurements for selected joints were evaluated using a Leighton Flexometer. Subjects completed a subjective evaluation scale after performing an exercise protocol while wearing the overalls. Results indicated that a specific amount of ease in the crotch length of overalls may be appropriate. Additionally, an overall design that had all needed crotch ease in the back waist area of the garment may be desirable over the more conventional method of adding ease evenly between the front and back sections of the garment. The methodology used in this study provides a means of evaluating not only the potential for design variations in protective clothing, but provides a means to evaluate the dynamic aspects of fit of clothing.

No abstract

No abstract

Explores the geometric nature of the upper female torso using photographic data, physical measurements, and computer technology to develop bodice patterns. Body measurements, in addition to front and side view photographs, provided data for 12 female subjects participating in the study. These data were used to develop the experimental methodology and a computer program was written to generate sloper patterns for the upper female torso. A conventional pattern drafting method was used to develop hand‐drafted bodice patterns. An evaluation scale, which included 25 fitting criteria, was developed to compare the fit between the experimental and hand‐drafted bodices. For 12 of the 25 items on the scale, the experimental bodices were judged to have a better fit than those produced by the hand‐drafted method; for two items on the scale, the hand‐drafted bodices fit better. No statistically significant differences were found for the remaining items on the fit scale. This methodology shows potential for providing accurate, quickly‐generated bodice patterns.

Defines the purpose of this research as to design a coverall for fire fighting, with special emphasis on sizing and fit to maximize wearer comfort and mobility, as well as incorporate design features which would improve the functionality of the garment. Uses a structured functional apparel design approach to develop garment specifications and an interaction matrix. Using a literature review, user input, and market survey, details the development of a prototype fire fighting coverall. Evaluates the prototype coverall using objective measurements of range of motion for ten selected body movements and subjectively by having wearers fill out a wearer acceptability scale to determine their perceptions of fit and comfort in both their current and prototype coveralls. Results show that for all measurements, the prototype coveralls were preferable to the current coveralls worn, indicating the potential for further development of this design.