• Journal of the Korean Society of Clothing and Textiles
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• v.48 no.5
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• pp.991-1005
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• 2024

This study developed functional leggings to guide correct posture for women not trained in the squat exercise technique. Through in-depth interviews, we developed four types of functional leggings that prevent unskilled women from rotating their legs inward or outward, both improper squat forms. These functional leggings include two types of design variables: MD(medial direction design), which turns the lower extremities inward; LD(lateral direction design), which turns the lower extremities outward; and two types of variables according to material. The angles of each part of leggings during the squat movement were measured, and subjective sensations by women were evaluated, including control leggings CD(control design) without rotation function. There was no difference in the adduction and abduction angles depending on the type of functional leggings. However, at the rotation angles of the hip joint (p=0.005), femur (p=0.016), and tibia (p=0.000), the MD leggings rotated inward regardless of the material. Further, the LD leggings rotated outward regardless of the material. The developed functional leggings had an excellent subjective sense of ease of movement, pressure, and preference, thus the developed functional leggings were appropriate while guiding squat posture.

• Fashion & Textile Research Journal
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• v.16 no.1
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• pp.1-12
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• 2014

Leggings are recognized as unique fashion items that meet the needs of customers to express individuality due to their protective and thermal functions. They are highly practical fashion items that show a casual, street and sportive style with a noted influence on outdoor leisure fields. This study analyzes the sociocultural background for the spread of leggings as well as their design characteristics, coordination characteristics and authentic characteristics. The formative characteristics of modern legging designs are as follows. First, the shapes of modern leggings are ankle-length, calflength, above-knee, knee-length, stirrup and top of the foot-length. Leggings are transformed in many ways: length-expansion, side-slit, unbalanced length, variations of straps, cut-out, trimmings, pattern transformation and complex form. Second, modern leggings contain achromatic colors in modern and sensual image, vivid colors in sportive image and metallic colors futuristic and technical image. Third, leggings patterns value originality, uniqueness and rarity as shown by printed geometric patterns, hand crafted geometric and natural patterns, and abstract patterns expressed through various materials and themes. Fourth, modern leggings' textures are categorized into erotic, simply-functional, seasonless, glossy, and metallic. Functional and fashionable leggings reflect the psychological needs of modern society. This study suggests a direction for the development of legging designs and provides a theoretical database for higher value-added leggings business.

• Journal of Fashion Business
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• v.17 no.3
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• pp.85-98
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• 2013

Fabric industry has been developing enough to introduce diverse stretch materials to apparel market, so that tightly fitting leggings designs are taking over not only sports wear but also women's clothing. This study is aimed at developing prototype designs for leggings pants using stretch material that are appropriate for the lower part of body being functional, comfortable, and beautiful. As well, the study is intended to be of a reference in manufacturing such products. Some of the most popular leggings on the market in their kinds and materials were primarily selected to be tested in two ways: wear test and appearance test. Again, the test pants went through the same kinds of two tests, which turned out two designs. Finally, the test pants were treated to yield the most desirable prototype design. In conducting all these tests, some major defects causing discomfort and shortcomings of the leggings pants on the market were exposed and through the wear tests, the drawbacks were seen to be complemented in a big way. Thus, it is hopefully expected that this study will serve as a good reference for developing stretch pants.

• The Research Journal of the Costume Culture
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• v.25 no.3
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• pp.391-404
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• 2017

The purpose of this study was to identify the consumers' demands on functional design of sports climbing pants. Data were collected through a field survey. 82 male and 70 female amateur sports climbers in Seoul participated. The questionnaires measured aspects of functional design in sports climbing pants, specifically motion adaptability, comfort and aesthetic value of the climbing pants. The results of this study show that comfort during climbing postures was the most important value of the climbing pants. The subjects sought motion adaptability at the hip, crotch, thigh and knee. The preferred style and degree of fit of climbing pants were differed according to gender. Men preferred loose or semi tight fit style climbing pants but women preferred the leggings style of the sport pants. The soft touch seam line and body shaping function were also important for women. The type of pants preferred for sports climbing also differed by the climbing experience period. Men began to wear the outdoor mountaineering style pants when they had experienced sports climbing for 6 months and to wear the climbing expert style pants when they had experienced sports climbing for a year. Most women wore leggings style sports pants from the beginner stage. This study also analyzed Korean market trend in 2016~2017 F/W for sports climbing pants design. The men's pants were more likely to be designed to improve mobility compared to the women's pants, even though the aesthetic value of the sports climbing pants was important for women.

• Fashion & Textile Research Journal
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• v.24 no.6
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• pp.694-706
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• 2022

This study focusses on the development of a motion-sensing smart leggings prototype with the help of a module that monitors motion using a fiber-type stretch sensor. Additionally, it acquires data on Electrocardiogram (ECG), respiration, and body temperature signals, for the development of smart clothing used in online exercise coaching and customized healthcare systems. The research process was conducted in the following order: 1) Fabrication of a fiber-type elastic strain sensor for motion monitoring, 2) Positioning and attaching the sensor, 3) Pattern development and three-dimensional (3D) design, 4) Prototyping 5) Wearability test, and 6) Expert evaluation. The 3D design method was used to develop an aesthetic design, and for sensing accurate signal acquisition functions, wearability tests, and expert evaluation. As a result, first, the selection or manufacturing of an appropriate sensor for the function is of utmost importance. Second, the selection and attachment method of a location that can maximize the function of the sensor without interfering with any activity should be studied. Third, the signal line selection and connection method should be considered, and fourth, the aesthetic design should be reflected along with functional verification. In addition, the selection of an appropriate material is important, and tests for washability and durability must be made. This study presented a manufacturing method to improve the functionality and design of smart clothing, through the process of developing a prototype of motion-sensing smart leggings.

• Journal of the Korean Society of Clothing and Textiles
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• v.45 no.6
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• pp.1004-1016
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• 2021

This study aims to derive the design requirements for functional clothing worn with military wearable robots using a survey of people with military experience. Specifically, 982 adult males with military and muscular exercise experience were surveyed for their demands for the clothing worn with wearable robots during military activities. The study showed that it is necessary to develop functional clothing worn inside robots suitable for frequent movements of soldiers to improve their comfort level of wearable robots. The surveyed soldiers indicated that they preferred the top and bottom clothing with high-pressure levels because the upper body felt fatigued during transportation, while both the upper and lower body got exhausted during marches. The survey of design requirements revealed that the participants preferred a top with long sleeves and a bottom with ankle-length leggings in color similar to current military uniforms. We conclude that it is important to design functional clothing worn inside wearable robots in different forms depending on frequent movements, e.g., with differentiated pressures and material placements.

• Fashion & Textile Research Journal
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• v.23 no.3
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• pp.370-379
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• 2021

This study investigated the wearing status and design preferences regarding athleisure wear, focusing on young women in their 20s and 30s and middle-aged women in their 40s and 50s participating in yoga and fitness activities. A total of 332 valid samples were used for the survey by setting the same number of samples for each age group. The results showed that young women in their 20s and 30s exhibited weight control, and middle-aged women in their 40s and 50s maintained their health in relation to exercise. Athleisure wear brands were found to prefer foreign brands over domestic brands. When purchasing athleisure wear, the foremost considerations were material functionality, fit according to body shape, and reasonable prices. The preferred athleisure wear leggings design showed that both middle-aged women and young women preferred nine-piece leggings. Women in their 20s to 50s were found to purchase and acquire information on athleisure wear online. Hence, the pattern of life is rapidly transitioning from offline to online, and the market structure of athleisure wear is gradually transitioning toward an omni-channel society with a distribution market structure that combines information technology(IT) and mobile technologies. Therefore, It is required to develop athleisure wear of various functional products that meet the trends according to the global market environment and consumer class.

• Journal of the Korean Society of Clothing and Textiles
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• v.40 no.5
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• pp.775-787
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• 2016

This study examined the wearing conditions of compression wear for weight training. Compression wear has recently received significant attention from the public and athletes as high-level functional sportswear. The survey was conducted on 373 men in their 20s for general information on purchase behavior, preferred brand, function, and preferred design. The majority of participants (n=181) were aware of the function of compression wear. The most selected reason for wearing compression wear was for its convenience during sports activities. Respondents had the greatest preference for designs with a round neckline, regular leggings type, upper arm-length sleeve, and thigh-length bottom. Respondents also wanted a stronger compression in the core muscle part (abdomen, back, and waist).

• Journal of the Korea Fashion and Costume Design Association
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• v.26 no.3
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• pp.35-50
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• 2024

As sales of athleisure wear are expected to continue to increase, this study researched and analyzed trends to develop athleisure wear with improved design and functionality. In order to present basic data for designing a research methodology suitable to trends, this study conducted a literature survey related to athleisure wear published in domestic academic journals. The results are as follows. Papers related to athleisure wear have been consistently published since 2016, when athleisure wear began to emerge in Korea. The research methodology itself has not yet been reflected in a variety of ways, and it has only been published at a general level, so there is a need to expand the research methodology. In particular, the lack of material-related research in athleisure wear, where functional materials play the most important role, can also be cited as a problem. Research in the field of clothing composition for movement suitability and functional design is also limited to leggings and should be expanded to various athleisure wear items. However, due to the characteristic of athleisure wear, research papers are published not only in academic journals in the field of clothing, but also in academic journals in the fields of convergence, science, and sports. It is expected that active research on athleisure wear will continue in the future through a multifaceted and convergent approach.

• Fashion & Textile Research Journal
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• v.16 no.6
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• pp.954-960
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• 2014

This study surveyed high school girls in the Busan, Ulsan, and Gyeongnam areas to study how they wear school uniforms along with their satisfaction levels and demands in regards to functional school uniforms. This study presents data on the requirements for the development of winter school uniforms for high school girls with improved warmth functions. The findings are: First, high school girls purchased school uniforms of different brands and the purchase rates for three brands were 25% to 30% approximately. Most of them spent more than 300,000 KRW and less than 400,000 KRW on school uniforms purchases. Second, the greatest complaints by students about winter school uniforms were the ability to conduct routine activities and poor thermal insulation. The most popular bottom underwear for girls was underpants and leggings. The most popular top underwear was half-sleeved round neck t-shirts and running shirts. Third, a survey about uniform functionality showed that most students used and 'arm pit sweat absorbing pad', 'Waist size adjusting function, and 'inside pockets with zippers'. Satisfaction with functional uniforms was low: less than 3.5 in all questions. Fourth, students were favorable to develop functional uniforms to keep warm in the winter. The bottom needs to be warmer than the top and it is necessary to keep legs warm, especially the thighs and calves.