Comparative Analysis of Underwear Evaluative Criteria according to Somatotypes and Socio-Cultural Characteristics

Abstract

This study aimed to investigate the effects of somatotypes and body-related variables such as body exposure and body satisfaction on underwear evaluative criteria. Usable questionnaires were obtained from a total of 250 male and female students in their 20s. The data were mainly analyzed by t-test, ANOVA and analysis of variance using SPSS ver. 21.0. The results of this study are as follows: First, differences between underwear and outerwear evaluative criteria were found. For example, size, comfort and washing were important for the underwear but design, brand and fashionability were meaningful for outerwear. Price, color, material, and sewing were important for both outerwear and underwear. Second, the groups divided by somatotypes, a thin person group, a moderate person group and a fat person group, showed no difference in underwear evaluative criteria. Members of all the somatotype groups evaluated underwear similarly. Third, the groups divided by body image distortion showed different evaluative criteria for underwear. The negative discordance group emphasized the importance of the practicality factor, but the positive discordance group stressed the significance of the symbolism factor. Finally, the groups divided by body exposure and body satisfaction showed different evaluative criteria for underwear, too. The effects of socio-cultural variables on the underwear evaluative criteria proved to be significant.