Designing Apparel for Consumers ― The Impact of Body Shape and Size

There have been major developments in sizing research and how it can be used in apparel design. New techniques mean there is a richer array of data and greater flexibility in the analysis, design, and manufacture of apparel for particular body shapes and sizes. This book reviews how these developments are affecting clothing design for different groups of consumers.

Part one identifies various aspects of body shape, size, volume, and the psychological aspects of designing apparel. This section covers topics such as body shape and its influence on apparel size and consumer choices. Part two outlines the challenges in understanding the sizing and shape requirements and choices of particular customer groups. Chapters discuss apparel designed for infants and children, older consumers, overweight and obese consumers, plus size black and Latino women, apparel design for Asian and Caucasian ethnic groups, sizing requirements for male apparel, maternity apparel, intimate apparel for varying body shapes, and the challenges of designing headwear to fit the size and shape of Western and Asian populations.

Marie-Eve Faust is Assistant Professor and Program Director of Fashion Merchandising at Philadelphia University, Pennsylvania.

Serge Carrier is Professor in the Graduate School of Montreal Fashion at the Universite du Quebec, Canada.