Women 55 Years and Older: Part II. Overall Satisfaction and Dissatisfaction with the Fit of Ready-to-Wear

Abstract

Using the data collected through interview questions, Part II of this nationwide study on women 55 years and older examined factors which might be related to older women's overall satisfaction and dissatisfaction with the fit of ready-to-wear. In general, 70% (n = 4,086) of the respondents indicated dissatisfaction with the fit of ready-towear, while 31% (n = 1,826) indicated satisfaction. By using chi-square analyses, these two groups were then compared on demographics, clothing buying practices, and self-reported clothing problem locations. The majority of variables significantly differentiated the satisfied and the dissatisfied group. More dissatisfied consumers tended: (a) to be younger (e.g., 55-to-65 age category); (b) to be in the higher income category; (c) to be Caucasian; (d) to buy clothes mostly at discount/off-price stores, at department stores and through mail-order/catalog as compared to at specialty store/boutique or by custom-made/home sewing; (e) to live in the west coast area; and (f) to buy commercial patterns but to be dissatisfied with the fit of commercial patterns as well. The actual figure type purchased (e.g., Misses, Misses Petite) in ready-to-wear also was a significant factor affecting the older women's satisfaction level. Those who identified problems with each of the 15 body or garment locations had a greater dissatisfaction level with the fit of ready-to-wear than those who did not have problems. By using logistic regression analyses, some selected body measurements were found to be significant predictors of older women's satisfaction with the fit of ready-to-wear.

Building patternmaking theory: a case study of published patternmaking practices for pants

“…Finding clothing that fits well is a challenge for approximately 50% of women (Kurt Salmon Associates 2004, Seckler 2005. Consumers report that pants are one garment that causes the greatest fit dissatisfaction (LaBat and DeLong 1990, Feather et al 1996, Goldsberry et al 1996, Schofield et al 2006, Just-Style.com US 2010. (3) We tested recorded statements of direct concept relationships between body measurement and pattern measurements, specifically, the amount of ease that is added to the body measurement.…”

A Proposal for a New Size Label to Assist Consumers in Finding Well-fitting Women’s Clothing, Especially Pants: An Analysis of Size USA Female Data and Women’s Ready-to-wear Pants for North American Companies

“…Consumers must guess the actual garment sizes or try them on to identify those that fit them best [33,36]. Research has shown that 52% of women take two or more identical garments of different sizes to the fitting room and that 50% of the customers who order their clothing via a catalog service return garments due to size or fit [37].…”

The South African clothing industry: problems experienced with body measurements

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