• The Research Journal of the Costume Culture
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• v.27 no.3
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• pp.251-263
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• 2019

As the spread of the health and wellness trend continues worldwide, many consumers are spending much time on sports activities and expressing their individuality through sportswear. This study analyzes the trade networks of major exporters and importers of athleisure wear to provide an exporting policy for Korean apparel companies. As a result, The USA was found to import the most athleisure wear. On the other hand, China had the largest number of athleisure wear exports, and India's exports, which are becoming increasingly important as apparel producers were notable. Next, using the concept of the centrality of social network analysis, it was found that the USA was the largest importer and the center of athleisure wear's export network, but its influence has decreased gradually since 2010. China has the highest out-degree and betweenness centrality and center in the export of athleisure wear. The centrality of Asian countries such as India and Vietnam has increased. In Korea, the import of athleisure wear has increased greatly, but the export of athleisure wear has continuously decreased. Korea has less price competitiveness than other developing countries in Asia, but many Korean athleisure wear clothing brands are now attracting popularity not only in Korea but also in other countries with their excellent technology and design. In the future, the exporting policy of Korea's athleisure wear should focus on high value-added and differentiated products.

• 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.

• Fashion & Textile Research Journal
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• v.19 no.5
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• pp.579-588
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• 2017

This study investigates the wearing behavior and athleisure wear design preferences of women in their twenties as related to the design development of athleisure wear. A questionnaire survey was conducted on 185 women in their 20s. The survey was conducted from September to October 2016. Questionnaire items consisted of respondents' general items, athleisure wear and preference related items, and athleisure wear purchase related items. We collected 185 questionnaires from participants; subsequently, 169 were used as analytical data (except for incomplete questionnaires). The results of the study are as follows. Fit and wear comfort was the most important factor in the selection of athleisure wear. As a result of investigating the popularity of the athletic wear brand, the preference for the total sportswear brand was higher than the professional athletic wear brand. When the preferred colors were examined, the achromatic colors were ranked higher than chromatic colors. An examination of the preferred designs according to items indicated that the bra top preferred the 'U' shaped front plate and the 'Y' base basic type; in addition, T-shirts with the round neckline and the 1/4 length sleeves were preferred as tops. Leggings preferred long length type. It is necessary to develop a brand that matches the preference of the twenties' consumers by adjusting the aged target that can avoid the overheated competition and develop a niche market.

• Journal of the Korea Fashion and Costume Design Association
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• v.25 no.1
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• pp.1-13
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• 2023

This study examines the effects of Chinese consumers' lifestyles on pursuing the benefits and purchase intentions for athleisure wear. Chinese female consumers aged 20 to 40 in Shanghai and Chengdu, who have purchased athleisure wear were selected for a survey, and 510 questionnaires were collected. Data was analyzed using SPSS 26.0 software. Factor analysis, reliability verification, regression analysis, and discrete analysis were performed. As a result, Chinese consumers' lifestyles were classified into three categories: 'personality orientation', 'show-off orientation', and 'health orientation'. There were four benefits: 'situation pursuit', 'practicality pursuit', 'fashion style pursuit', and 'appearance pursuit' for athleisure wear. Among the lifestyle types of Chinese consumers, "individuality-oriented" showed a positive effect on "pursuit of practicality", "pursuit of situation", "pursuit of fashion style", and "pursuit of appearance" among the benefits of pursuing athleisure wear. Next, among lifestyle types, 'show-off orientation' showed a positive effect on 'individuality' and 'appearance pursuit'. Finally, among lifestyle types, 'health-oriented' showed a positive effect on 'pursuit of practicality' and 'pursuit of appearance'. On the other hand, Chinese consumers' lifestyle types of "show-off," "health-oriented," and "individuality-oriented" all exhibited a significant impact on their purchase intention for athleisure wear. According to age groups and location, there is no significant difference in terms of 'lifestyle', 'athleisure wear pursuit benefits' and 'purchase intention'. Compared married women and unmarried women, it was found that unmarried women value their health and leisure, while those with a lower their educational background, considered the lifestyle of "individuality-oriented" and "show-off-oriented", as well as "situation-pursuit", "practicality", and "fashion style pursuit".

• Fashion & Textile Research Journal
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• v.25 no.2
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• pp.165-174
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• 2023

This study analyzed the purchase status of athleisure wear and consumers' dissatisfaction with online shopping post-COVID-19. The target population comprised female consumers in their 20s to 50s who are interested in exercise and fashion. The study investigated differences according to age. It was found that athleisure wear was purchased once every two to three months and used as sportswear and/or daily wear. Purchase information was obtained via the Internet, and purchases were made online. Design, price, wear sensation, and textiles were the most important selection criteria, and T-shirts and leggings were the most frequently purchased garments. Additionally, textile characteristics such as moisture-absorbing and quick-drying as well as elasticity were evaluated as important. Online shopping of athleisure wear has increased since COVID-19 due to the time savings, low price, opportunity to compare several products, and delivery convenience. However, consumers were dissatisfied due to the differences between the screen image and the actual product, the inconvenience of returns, exchanges, and refunds, the lack of product information, product quality, and delivery. Furthermore, it was found that pursuing value of athleisure wear differed according to age. Consumers in their 20s and 30s required athleisure wear with the characteristics of sportswear and daily or urban wear and those in their 40s and 50s required garments with good performance as sportswear. Based on consumer feedback, it is necessary for manufacturers to provide product information that can improve product reliability.

• Journal of the Korea Fashion and Costume Design Association
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• v.18 no.4
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• pp.101-116
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• 2016

"Athleisure" indicates a new fashion style which takes advantage of the merits of both sportswear and outdoor clothing. This fashion style produces clothing we can wear very conveniently regardless of time and place. This paper, first, surveyed the concept of athleisure and the socio-cultural background of its appearance in modern fashion, and then, analyzed the growing processes and tendencies of athleisure in various fields of fashion. The three typical characteristics of athleisure can be summarized as Non-boudary, Functionality, and Sensualirty. It is hoped that this study has provided some theoretical evidences for the athleisure which is expanding broadly but vaguely as megatrends.

• Journal of the Korean Society of Clothing and Textiles
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• v.42 no.6
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• pp.1025-1038
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• 2018

This study identifies the socio-psychological factors on athleisure wear purchase behavior and focuses on the effects of participation motives in sports leisure activity. This research compares athleisure wear purchase behavior among the three groups segmented by participation motives for sports and leisure activity. An online survey on male and female consumers between the ages of 20 and 50 provided 319 responses that were analyzed using SPSS 20.0. The factor analysis and reliability analysis, cluster analysis, variance analysis, Duncan test, and Chi square test were conducted. The results were: 1) From a result of the factor analysis on consumers' sports leisure participation motives clearly showed factorial structures including social interaction, physical health, and pleasant feeling. 2) Cluster analysis indicated three groups of participation motives in sports and leisure activity such as passive motivating type, social interaction type, and wellness type. 3) Consumer groups showed significant differences in purchase reasons, preferred brands, product items, and pursued performance attributes for purchasing athleisure wear products.

• The Research Journal of the Costume Culture
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• v.24 no.6
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• pp.788-802
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• 2016

Sportswear transforms itself into a new fashion item to satisfy desires for beauty in addition to having functionality and movability for sports activities. Sportswear is not in fashion just temporarily but comes in various forms along with sociocultural phenomenon that put emphasis on well-being and leisure. This research aims to study the needs of the bikers who ride bicycles or cycles has become a popular outdoor activity, and give suggestions for high functional sports design that can satisfy the needs of the highly demanding taste of athletes. To understand the design development direction and design preference, practical consumer needs were derived through a survey analysis on bike wear purchasing satisfaction and actual wearing state by bike riders. For consumer needs analysis, focus group interview, in-depth interview and questionnaire method were used. Based on analysis of those researches, athleisure bike wears appropriate for urban sports activities were categorized into sports, life, fitness and leisure 4 styles for athleisure bike wear design development. It is believed that this study will contribute to in the category expansion of sports wear market and satisfy the consumer demands for functional and specialized casual bike wears as well as fashion factors optimized to life style of modern people.

• Fashion & Textile Research Journal
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• v.19 no.6
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• pp.723-735
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• 2017

The explosive growth rates in sales of climbing clothes-centered outdoor wear has slowed; however, athleisure wear worn while enjoying sports activities is still popular. This research study investigated differences between pursuing benefits of athleisure clothing and purchase intentions of athleisure clothing according to lifestyles, targeting male and female consumers aged 20s-50s. Analytic research data was statistically processed with the use of SPSS 18.0. The factor analysis and reliability analysis, multiple-regression analysis and t-test analysis and descriptive statistics were conducted. The study analyzed the results of pursuing benefits of athleisure clothing according to lifestyle. The study results showed that fashion oriented, health oriented, and sociability oriented factors had significant effects on youth and fashion; however, rational consumption, leisure orientation, sociability orientation, and value oriented factors showed significant effects on everyday clothing functionality. Health orientation and leisure orientation factors also exerted significant effects on comfort; in addition, the factors of fashion oriented, value oriented, rational consumption, and health orientation also had significant effects on ideal body image. This study investigated purchase intentions for athleisure clothing according to lifestyles. The study results revealed that fashion oriented, leisure oriented, private life centered, and health oriented factors also showed significant effects on purchase intentions for athleisure clothing.

• Journal of Fashion Business
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• v.23 no.6
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• pp.127-138
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• 2019

As health and well-being become a global trend, the younger generation is focusing on the balance between work and leisure time and they are interested in sports activities as well as a cultural life. In addition, the range of sportswear is expanding, so that athleisure fashion is getting into daily lives. In particular, consumer groups in the sportswear market are beginning to change since generation Z consumers are more and more interested in sportswear and their needs are also growing of health and functional of sports wear. It's a global trend that athleisure fashion market is growing, which combines professional athletic wear with fashion. As the number of women who enjoy sports and leisure in their spare time, the consumer pattern in the sports wear market is also expanding to female customers. However, most sports functional wears were focused on male consumers, so that functional inner-wears are mostly made for both sexes, which mean the functional inner-wears are produced without considering the physical characteristics of men and women and with not enough size division ending up not suitable for professional athletes. In particular, female professional athletes need functional inner-wear that fits the characteristics of the sport because they are not only different in physical condition and they are also using different muscles for different movements. Therefore, functional inner-wear needs pattern development and size system setting considering the body shape and athletic movement of female professional athlete.