• Journal of the Korean Society of Clothing and Textiles
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• v.45 no.4
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• pp.598-611
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• 2021

The purpose of this study was to investigate the necessary functions and areas of improvement in bras worn by patients during the initial three-month recovery period after a breast augmentation procedure, and a functional bra that fits properly was designed. In order to analyze the necessary functions, a bra was designed after relevant discussions with medical staff and patients who underwent breast augmentation surgeries and considering the advice from bra designers and clothing and textile experts. This bra was designed to protect the surgical scars and minimize the compression by inserting a nonwoven fabric into the shoulder and front parts. In addition, it was designed in a way that could fit the individual breast volume by using a mesh material partially on the upper side of the molded cups. Underwires that could support the breasts were inserted, and a detachable wire was used to suit the patient's needs and the diagnosis by the medical staff. As the bra designed in this study received excellent scores during the evaluation by research subjects and experts, it can be used for designing the prototype of a functional bra.