The Design and Testing of Work Clothing for Female Pear Farmers

Abstract

This research was undertaken to develop work clothing for pear farmers in Naju county, Korea. Pear farming is economically important here, but there has been little effort to develop work clothing to improve worker comfort and efficiency. This study presented special problems to the researcher/designer. The subjects were unable to verbalize their needs and were appreciative and accepting of any prototype design with little critical analysis of its function. The researchers adopted methodologies including field observation and in depth interviews to collect data of expert analysis of the prototypes. Field observation, interviews, and questionnaires were used in Phase 1 of the research to collect data on clothing needs of male and female farmers. Survey results (113 questionnaires, 42 female, 71 male) and a pilot test revealed differences in requirements between females’ and males’ work clothing. Female pear farmers were selected as subjects for the final phases of the study. Four prototype work outfits for female workers (jackets and pants) were developed and tested for fit, mobility, and acceptability in the field. Perception of fit, function, and aesthetics of the four work outfits were evaluated by female pear farmers and expert judges. The outfits for Korean female pear farmer workers developed and tested in this study have the potential to increase field performance and worker comfort. The concepts employed can be used to develop work outfits for workers in other fields, particularly for workers such as the pear farmers who are not skilled at verbalizing their needs or engaging in critical analysis of prototype garments.

Satisfaction with current martial arts’ uniforms and purchase intention of new uniforms

“…Thirdly, functional (e.g., quality, fit, size, comfort, and protection) and aesthetic variables (e.g., fashion) of the current uniforms were likely to influence the expected performance and the expected appearance of new uniforms (Choi and Ashdown 2002;Dickson and Pollack 2000). Therefore, causal relationships between the current uniforms' attributes and new uniforms' expected performance and appearance were proposed.…”

“…For example, runners want their clothing to meet expected performance (Leksrisompong 2010); pear workers want clothing to increase mobility and work efficiency (Choi and Ashdown 2002); golfers want to have sufficient back length to achieve an uninhibited swing (Wheat and Dickson 1999); sailors require uniforms which allow quick actions while the body is in a confined space (Bye and Hakala 2005); and soldiers want body armor to not restrict ease of movement (Starr et al 2015).…”

The development of anti-heat stress clothing for construction workers in hot and humid weather

“…Moreover, this study placed equal premium on fabric and design rather than on design only, which has been practiced in previous studies (Huck and Kim 1997, Choi and Ashdown 2002, Tan et al1998, Black and Cloud 2008 The predicted e and humidity tual T-shirt. Figure 6B.…”

“…The aforementioned functional design process approach of DeJonge (1984) was used to develop a coverall for wildland and/or grass fire fighting with a special emphasis on size and fit to maximize the wearer's comfort and mobility (Huck and Kim 1997); work clothing for female pear farmers through an evaluation of fit, mobility, thermal acceptability, and general acceptability (Choi and Ashdown 2002); and thermal protective flight suits by establishing design criteria and specifications derived by group interviews and videotaped movement analyses (Tan et al1998). The design process of DeJonge (1984) was also applied to the assessment of functional clothing worn by bicycle patrol officers (Black and Cloud 2008), which involved influence factors that were particularly related to comfort, durability, protection, and dimensional stability.…”

Body Movement Comfort Performances of Shirts Intended for Bellied Males

“…The aim was to improve the working performance and clothing comfort of the workers while developing the samples. At the end of the study, the samples were subjected to wear trials, and were reviewed by the female workers and experts in terms of being fit, functionality and aesthetics, and they tried to find the optimum clothes [10]. Schofield et.…”