• Journal of the Korean Society of Clothing and Textiles
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• v.39 no.3
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• pp.408-418
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• 2015

This study investigates the purchasing and wearing conditions of wetsuits, and analyzes consumer awareness on wetsuit functional factors between domestic and imported brands. This research provides basic information on presenting competitiveness and developing suitable wetsuits for the Korean body shape through an investigation of a size system. An in-depth interview was conducted to consider consumer awareness with 10 persons of different levels of scuba diving experience. The survey variables consist of classified suggestion of inquires for functional factors and size systems. We distributed 80 questionnaires to scuba diving club members; subsequently, a total of 66 usable data sets were coded for statistical analysis through SPSS WIN 18.0. The result shows that respondents preferred imported ready-to-wear brands, whereas national ready-to-wear brands were purchased less often. However, the difference in customer awareness of functional factors between domestic and imported brands was not significant. In evaluating the size system of six brands (including three domestic and three imported brands), wetsuits of domestic brands were better fitted to the Korean body shape than imported brands; however, competitiveness has been hindered by public perception that domestic brands imitate imported brands. The results suggest that domestic brands can strengthen their competitiveness through promoting a lower price and size suited to Koreans while trying to change public perception as imitators of imported brands.

• Journal of the Korean Society of Clothing and Textiles
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• v.35 no.9
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• pp.1039-1048
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• 2011

This research develops a basic design structure for scuba diving wetsuits suitable for the shape of Korean men in their 30's as well as enhances the reduction rate for underwater activity. The clothing pressure and fitness tests were performed using four different types of body suits. The usable data of the tests were coded for further statistical analysis that includes one way-ANOVA test and S-N-K Multiple Range Test by using SPSSWIN 17.0. An analysis of the results shows: (1) The results of the clothing pressure test (using a dummy) indicated that the larger the reduction rate, the stronger the clothing pressure gets (with an exception on the knee area). It has great impact on clothing pressure with regards to the different body parts. The different reduction rates should be applied to body parts accordingly. (2) In the case of test subjects, the overall mean values of the clothing pressure were lower than the ones with the dummy (attributable to the cushion function of body skin and muscle as well as the high stretch of the fabric). (3) In evaluating the subjective fit test of four types of body suits, a statistically significant difference was found in the relation between pattern reduction rates and all parts of the body. It was revealed that the reduction rate of 'B' pattern (X: 4%, Y: 3%) was the most suitable pattern and the 'B' pattern scored highest in the motion functional fit test performed by a test subject.

• Journal of the Korea Fashion and Costume Design Association
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• v.20 no.4
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• pp.163-174
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• 2018

Consumer and property evaluation of wetsuit materials were conducted to obtain useful data for developing competitive products that meet consumer expectations and improving industrial competitiveness. Data were collected through online surveys of 213 domestic consumers who have experienced wearing wetsuit among marine leisure activities. Five types of commercial wet suit materials by brand and four types of commercial wet suit materials with the same quality by thickness were collected. Then, their physical properties, salt water resistance and thermal insulation rate were evaluated and compared. As a result, the most commonly used wetsuit material is 3 to 5 mm thick, and the basic jersey material is bonded on both sides. As a processing for imparting functionality, processing for improving warmth and reducing surface resistance are most frequently used. Consumers often feel uncomfortable when wearing a wetsuit, such as wearing comfort, weight, ease of movement, stretchability, and clothing pressure, which are different from those of casual wear. Also, mechanical strength and warmth were considered to be the most important criteria for selection of wetsuit material for purchase or rental. The mechanical properties of brand A and B were better than those of brand C, D, and E. Resilience and thermal shrinkage were better in brand C, D, and E. On the other hand, there was no significant difference in the physical properties due to the difference in thickness of the material at the same quality. Also, it was found that the thicker the material, the more stable it is in the heat. Brand A and B had superior salt water resistance than brand C, D, and E. In the thermal insulation test, brand A and B showed better insulation characteristics than brand C, D, and E, but the types of bonded fabric and surface finishing of materials were thought to have affected. In comparison of the thickness, the thicker the materials, the better the salt resistance and the thermal insulation.

• Fashion & Textile Research Journal
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• v.14 no.5
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• pp.713-719
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• 2012

The purpose of this study is to analyze the style of the windsurfing suits and to extract main expressional words for the development of semantic differential scales of visual images according to the change in the style of windsurfing suits. The results of this study are as follows: 1) By a period of activity and its functions of windsurfing suits, they were classified into dry suit, wet suit, semi-dry suit and warm water. 2) Windsurfing suits were assorted into 4 kinds of designs: the design #1 on a suit with long sleeves and long pants, the design #2 on a suit with half sleeves and long pants, the design #3 on a suit with half sleeves and half pants, and the design #4 on sleeveless and half pants. 3) Main expressional words of visual images for windsurfing suits differ greatly depending on the design of windsurfing suits. The visual images for the design #1 are ranked in the order of 'sporty', 'looking like arms that are slim', 'looking like thighs that are slim', 'looking slim', 'neatbbb, 'practical', 'difficult to wear'. The visual images for the design #2 are placed in the order of 'sporty', 'dynamic', 'practical', 'cheerful', 'light'. The visual images for the design #3 are ranked in the order of 'sporty', 'dynamic', 'light', 'cheerful', 'masculine', 'practical'. The visual images for the design #4 are placed in the order of 'sporty', 'dynamic', 'simple', 'light', 'uncomfortable', 'easy to wear', 'looking like arms that are fat'.