The Variability of U.S. Women’s Plus Size Product Sizing and Self-Identified Size 18 Bodies

Sokolowski, Susan L.; Griffin, Linsey; Silbert, Jessie

doi:10.1007/978-3-030-20470-9_15

Cited by 4 publications

(8 citation statements)

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“…Over the last five years, there has been an increased interest from manufacturers to develop products for this body type [4]. As a result of a "speed to market behavior," previous research by Sokolowski, Griffin and Silbert found that preferred U.S. retailers are inconsistently and unreliably sizing plus apparel [5]. Tables 1-6 demonstrate those inconsistencies and how the measures assume an Hourglass shape.…”

Section: Us Plus Size Apparel Industrymentioning

confidence: 99%

“…Tables 1-6 demonstrate those inconsistencies and how the measures assume an Hourglass shape. These challenges not only affect consumer satisfaction, but also sell-through and the environmental sustainability due to excessive product returns from poor fit [5]. Size Bust Waist Hip 16W 42.5" 34.5" 44.5" 18W 44.5" 36.5" 46.5" 20W 46.5" 38.5" 48.5" 22W 48.5" 40.5" 50.5" 24W 50.5" 42.5" 52.5" 26W 52.5" 44.5" 54.5" 28W 54.5" 46.5" 56.5" 30W 56.5" 48.5" 58.5" 32W 58.5" 50.5" 60.5"…”

Section: Us Plus Size Apparel Industrymentioning

confidence: 99%

“…In the same study discussed in section 2.1., 65 size 18 female body scans were matched to the size charts presented in Tables 1-6. It was found that 98.46% of the scans did not fit into any of the charts [5]. In another plus size study conducted by Sokolowski and Bettencourt, it was found that none of the body scans studied were an Hourglass or Top Hourglass shape and only a small percentage (8.7%) were a Bottom Hourglass shape [6].…”

Section: Body Shape As a Tool For Apparel Design Fit And Sizingmentioning

confidence: 99%

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Modification of the Female Figure Identification Technique (FFIT) Formulas to Include Plus Size Bodies

Sokolowski¹,

Bettencourt²

2020

Proceedings of 3DBODY.TECH 2020 - 11th International Conference and Exhibition on 3D Body Scanning and Processing Technologies,

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With new 3D plus size body scan data available through surveys like Size North America and manufacturers investing in their own data, there was an opportunity to study the shape of modern female plus sized bodies to inform the fit of products for this emerging business demographic. The researchers partnered with a leading apparel company to analyze 3D plus size body scans with the Female Figure Identification Technique (FFIT) for apparel developed by Simmons, Istook, and Devarajan (2004), using mathematical representations of the FFIT body shapes created by Lee, Istook, Nam, and Park (2007). However, during the project, it was discovered through visual inspections there were opportunities to modify the FFIT mathematical formulas to be more inclusive of plus size women. The inspections indicated that some scans were inaccurately classified or not sorted into any shape category. Since plus size women often have larger abdomens than bust or hips, the formulas were modified to include a check for that condition. By understanding shape, manufacturers can have a better idea of how to design, fit and grade products for this market throughout a size range, as opposed to relying on only 2D measurements or linear grading rules from a sample size.

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Section: Us Plus Size Apparel Industrymentioning

confidence: 99%

Section: Us Plus Size Apparel Industrymentioning

confidence: 99%

Section: Body Shape As a Tool For Apparel Design Fit And Sizingmentioning

confidence: 99%

See 1 more Smart Citation

Modification of the Female Figure Identification Technique (FFIT) Formulas to Include Plus Size Bodies

Sokolowski¹,

Bettencourt²

2020

Proceedings of 3DBODY.TECH 2020 - 11th International Conference and Exhibition on 3D Body Scanning and Processing Technologies,

Self Cite

View full text Add to dashboard Cite

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“…Inconsistent and duplicate sized products not only affect the consumer and how they make purchasing choices, but also affect retailers financially and environmentally. For example, the Wall Street Journal reported that on-line returns average around 30 percent, because of fit [14], [15]. In addition, the Retail Equation and National Retail Federation reported that $260.5 billion in returns are made globally [14].…”

Section: Alpha Size Num Size Nike Bust Nike Waistmentioning

confidence: 99%

“…For example, the Wall Street Journal reported that on-line returns average around 30 percent, because of fit [14], [15]. In addition, the Retail Equation and National Retail Federation reported that $260.5 billion in returns are made globally [14]. They quoted, "if merchandise returns were a corporation, it would rank #3 on the Fortune 500 list" [14], [16].…”

Section: Alpha Size Num Size Nike Bust Nike Waistmentioning

confidence: 99%

How the U.S. Sport Performance Apparel Industry Sizes Up to Female Plus Bodies

Sokolowski¹,

Silbert²,

Griffin³

2019

Proceedings of 3DBODY.TECH 2019 - 10th International Conference and Exhibition on 3D Body Scanning and Processing Technologies,

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In the United States, about 68% of the female population is greater than a size 14, or plus size [1]. This demographic represents a $21.4 billion industry [1]. Over the last five years, there has been a movement in the U.S. sport performance apparel industry to manufacture products for this body type, which historically has not been considered "athletic." As there is a lack of accessible measurements and sizing standardization for plus sizes, companies have developed their own unique systems, often graded from existing "sample sizes" (often a size small 4/6 or medium 8/10) or developed from old plus size standards (e.g., ASTM) [2]. As a result, plus size products in the U.S are inconsistently and unreliably sized. This challenge not only affects consumer satisfaction, but it also affects retailers and the environment. As an example, retailers scrap more than 25% of their returns, which can contribute to over five billion pounds in landfill each year [3]. The intent of this pilot study was to understand how well a sample of plus size bodies fit into the top three U.S. sport performance apparel companies' size charts. Sixty-five 3D body scans of plus size women, who self-identified as size 18W, were analyzed to determine how their chest/bust, waist and hip measures compared to the top three companies' sizing schemes. The companies included Nike, Adidas and Under Armour. Findings established that there are opportunities to: initiate a larger study to understand a more comprehensive set of bodies/measures, improve grading and size charts, develop relevant dress forms and product creation for this evolving demographic.

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Body shapes and apparel fit for overweight and obese women in the US: the implications of current sizing system

Shin

Saeidi

2021

JFMM

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PurposeThe purpose of this study was to categorize the whole body shapes of overweight and obese females in the US and examine apparel fit based on the current ASTM sizing standards related to the body shapes categorized.Design/methodology/approachBody scan data from 2,672 subjects were used. To categorize their whole body shapes using 97 body measurements, principal component analysis with varimax rotation, a hierarchical cluster analysis and K-means cluster analysis were used. To compare the ASTM sizing standards for plus sizes (curvy and straight) and missy sizes (curvy and straight), five body parts (bust, under bust, waist, top hip, hip) using the formula for fit tolerance (measurement plus half of the interval) were compared with the ASTM sizing standards to determine the size appropriate for each body part.FindingsFive whole body shapes among overweight and obese females in the US were categorized: Rectangle-curvy; parallelogram-moderately curvy; parallelogram-hip tilt; inverted trapezoid-moderately curvy and inverted trapezoid-hip tilt. When the body measurements in each body shape were compared with the current ASTM sizing systems for both misses and plus sizes, four-fifths or more of overweight and obese female adults in the US would find it difficult to obtain a perfect fit for both tops and bottoms.Originality/valueIdentifying whole body shapes among overweight and obese women in the US contributes significantly, as it will help apparel companies that target the markets of larger women develop a new sizing system. This study is the first attempt to analyze fit by comparing the ASTM sizing charts with body measurements in each body shape group. Further, the study contributes to the body-related literature by filling gaps in missing whole BS categories among overweight and obese females.

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The Variability of U.S. Women’s Plus Size Product Sizing and Self-Identified Size 18 Bodies

Cited by 4 publications

References 0 publications

Modification of the Female Figure Identification Technique (FFIT) Formulas to Include Plus Size Bodies

Modification of the Female Figure Identification Technique (FFIT) Formulas to Include Plus Size Bodies

How the U.S. Sport Performance Apparel Industry Sizes Up to Female Plus Bodies

Body shapes and apparel fit for overweight and obese women in the US: the implications of current sizing system

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