• Archives of design research
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• v.20 no.2 s.70
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• pp.41-52
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• 2007

Today, many pregnant women also advance up the business ladder and remain very active. They are consequently increasingly aware of the clothes they can wear. Despite these social changes, maternity wear has not been specially designed to satisfy the consumer's demands. From this, the purposes of this study are to investigate the current status of maternity wear and the apparent buying trends of pregnant women through a customers' opinion survey and interviews for the future maternity markets. In summary, the survey and interviews illustrate some important points which are that: Firstly, not all pregnant women buy maternity wear. Some pregnant women said they couldn't find enough difference in maternity wear prices even though they would like to buy some, commenting that maternity clothes were too expensive for such a short period of time. Also some already had maternity wear from a previous pregnancy, or had been passed on from friends and family. Secondly, on the other hand, many respondents were strongly concerned with style and quality rather than price because they agreed that there were not enough suitable maternity clothes for work and special occasions. Therefore some respondents would buy a maternity outfit for a special occasion. It also indicates that for a particular time, place or occasion like a party, wedding or other celebration, some respondents would buy a special outfit to make themselves feel good. Finally, according to the survey, the most important design concept is for wearable designs which change with the body during pregnancy; followed closely by designs which are able to be re-used when the pregnancy has finished. Nowadays, as recycling and saving resources are the biggest issues, if maternity manufacturers are encouraged to develop new products incorporating these new design concepts, more maternity markets will be developed to buy maternity wear.

• Fashion & Textile Research Journal
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• v.21 no.5
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• pp.618-626
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• 2019

This study conducted basic studies to develop electromagnetic wave shielding maternity wear. We investigated electromagnetic wave shielding fabrics and products as well as surveyed actual wearing states for pregnant women aged 35 to 44 and women who gave birth within the past one year. Available electromagnetic wave blocking products for pregnant women were blankets, aprons, maternity belts, and underwear. These only cover the abdomen and it was hard to find out electromagnetic waves shielding maternity wear, which can enhance functionality and complement the body shapes of pregnant women. The aged mother responded pregnancy delay was mostly attributable to late marriage, career, financial difficulty and health problems. Major health threats to babies were high stress levels during pregnancy, followed by electromagnetic waves from electronic devices. They prioritized physical activity, design, functionality and safety when wearing maternity wear. When purchasing maternity wear, they emphasized design, price, materials and size. The most preferred clothing was one-piece dress; consequently, only 11.1% of them were satisfied with the quality of maternity wear with complaints mostly about design and price. A total of 63% of respondents tried to protect themselves from electromagnetic waves. Most aged mothers showed a positive intention on purchasing electromagnetic waves blocking maternity wear for babies with concerns dealing with safety of materials, prices, ease of laundry, and body complementing design.

• The Journal of Industrial Distribution & Business
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• v.9 no.7
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• pp.7-18
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• 2018

Purpose - The purpose of this paper is to examine how clothing retail buyers (i.e., retail buyers, merchandisers, and storeowners), who are involved in assortment planning and retail buying use assortment criteria in their decisions. Comparisons are made between criteria used by men's wear and women's wear retail buyers as well as criteria used by male and female retail buyers. Research design, data, and methodology - A structured questionnaire was developed to collect data both in English and Korean. After conducting two pilot tests, the survey was conducted in Seoul, South Korea. Mantrala et al.'s 17 inputs of product assortment planning model with 23 assortment criteria from other previous studies were used. Results - Significant differences existed in consideration of assortment criteria between men's wear and women's wear retail buyers as well as between male and female retail buyers. Men's wear retail buyers rated the importance of sales history criteria (i.e., sales history, previous year's sales of same/similar styles) significantly lower than women's wear buyers did. Female retail buyers rated sales history criteria and weather criteria (i.e., unpredicted weather change, forecasting information of weather) significantly higher than male retail buyers did. Conclusions - This study provides guidelines for retail buyers regarding what criteria to use in what situations and how to organize assortment criteria from the most important criterion to the least one. In addition, the findings help them understand other retail buyers' buying behavior.

• Journal of the Korean Society of Costume
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• v.51 no.2
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• pp.53-64
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• 2001

The purpose of this study is to create the program for efficient inventory management and reduction, investigating the present conditions and factors of the inventory throughout current apparel industry. The research method applied in this study is to survey 92 domestic companies which were randomly selected with respect to the kinds of goods produced : men′s wear, women′s wear, and unisex wear. The research can be summarized as follows : 1. The seasonal stock rate of current apparel industry was 28.75%, and the rate of men′s wear companies was higher than that of women′s and unisex wear companies. 19.43% of stock cost reflection rate was applied, and the stack cost of men′s and women′s wear companies was higher than that of unisex wear companies. 2. Periodic bargain sale was the most frequently used way of stock clearance, and "uniform price sale"and outlet stores were the second and the third irrespectively. Unisex wear companies appeared to be more enthusiastic in stock clearance than the companies belonging to the other two categories. The main places for the stock clearance were department stores, outlet stores and enterprises specialized in the stock clearance. 3. QR production was proved to be the most commonly adjusted method of stock reduction, and the emphasis on development of new design and the utilization of stock management system through computer network were the next, While unisex wear companies had established the positive policies, men′s wear companies took lukewarm altitudes in every aspect. The companies selling on an order were 18.64%, and unisex wear companies showed the higher rate. The lead-time after QR production was 10.91 days, and it seemed to take more time for men′s wear companies than for women′s and unisex wear companies. The rate of the chance in stock was proved to decrease by 12.94%, and there was found no meaningful difference among the three categories of apparel companies.

• The Journal of Korean Obstetrics and Gynecology
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• v.20 no.3
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• pp.129-136
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• 2007

Purpose: We intended to observe the usefulness of far-infrared radiation functional under inner-wear for dysmenorrhea. Methods: We introduced far-infrared radiation functional under inner-wear to women in childbearing-age by internet portal site. Then, we preliminarily examined dysmenorrhea severity by VAS(visual analogue scale) questionnaire to women interested in far-infrared radiation functional under inner-wear. We selected women scored 5 and above of 10 measurement VAS score. Finally, 121 women were the subject of study and used far-infrared radiation functional under inner-wear for one menstrual cycle. Before and after use of far-infrared radiation functional under inner-wear, we conducted a questionnaire survey of dysmenorrhea severity by VAS. After that, we compared VAS score before and after use. Also, we studied correlation between frequency of far-infrared radiation functional under inner-wear use and ${\Delta}VAS$(VAS score before use minus VAS score after use). For statistics, we used Paired samples test and Spearman's rho correlations, SPSS 13.0 for windows. Results: Before and after use of far-infrared radiation functional under inner-wear, VAS score means were different. Frequency of far-infrared radiation functional under inner-wear use was correlated to ${\Delta}VAS$. Statistically they showed significant result (p<0.05>. Conclusion: The results showed that dysmenorrhea severity by VAS decreased after far-infrared radiation functional under inner-wear use. As frequency of use increased, ${\Delta}VAS$ increased. So we can consider far-infrared radiation functional under inner-wear effects dysmenorrhea severity.

• Fashion & Textile Research Journal
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• v.5 no.3
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• pp.235-243
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• 2003

This study is to figure out where the current satisfaction with ready-to-wear clothes based on middle-aged women's body shapes is at and to propose basic considerations in its production for coming up with a better sizing system to maximize customer's satisfaction. The data obtained from measurement and questionnaire by 126 middle- aged (35-59) women which were located in Gwangju. Followings are summary of this research, 1)The satisfaction level with lower -wear is relatively lower-wear than that of upper-wear in most parts of body. 2) The results by way of putting score show three different groups. Group 1 has characteristics of front body silhouette in the small ratio of shoulder width/bust width, shoulder width/waist width and big ratio of shoulder width/hip width. And Group 3 has characteristics of front silhouette, small ratio of hip girth/thigh girth. Group 2 has a standard shape. 3) The satisfaction level with lower-wear based on middle-aged women's body shapes shows slight difference. In this category, Group 2 has higher satisfaction level than that of Group 1, while Group 1 has better shape than Group 3. 4) The items of clothes which should be considered current less satisfaction on their size and pattern are skirt and pants. In the meantime, specific body parts for the same criteria are hip girth, thigh girth. And the 43.7% of middle-aged women who responded to this study requires improvement on the fit of lower-wear.

• Journal of the Korean Home Economics Association
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• v.45 no.9
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• pp.37-52
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• 2007

This research developed maternity wear designed with a focus on the essential functions necessary for working women and adaptable to their body changes during pregnancy. Through Martin's anthropometry for 201 pregnant women, the size specifications for maternity wear was determined and a dress form was proposed, in order to provide the manufacturer with reference data and a prototype to verify their products' fit and suitability. From a monthly analysis on the body measurements of pregnant women, significant monthly differences and after pregnancy were found in weight, chest girth, bust girth, under bust girth, waist girth, and hip girth. Dress form was designed based on the average body measurements of women in their 6th to 10th month of pregnancy. The standard dimensions in the 8th month were 90cm (chest), 94cm (bust), 86cm (under bust), 97cm(waist: most protruding part on the side), and 99cm (hip). Compared with Japan's MAT-9 (for nine months), chest girth was the same, while the Korean waist girth and hip girth were larger by 2cm and 3cm, respectively. The woven fabric blouse was evaluated as having the best appearance, while the knitted fabric one was judged as being more comfortable it terms of functionality. For the pants, the design details of the lowered waist and curved waist belt were more functional. The tailored jacket was the best design for working women in terms of both looks and functionality. To summarize, maternity wear for working women, unlike general maternity clothes, should be designed with consideration for the wearer's somatotype and activity. Elastic materials were appropriate for functionality and dealing with physical changes. With the increasing of working pregnant women, such trials are expected to continue in this research area in order to develop functional maternity wear with multi-purposes such as breast-feeding, wearability after delivery and shielding from microwave.

• Fashion & Textile Research Journal
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• v.17 no.3
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• pp.440-446
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• 2015

This study identified active senior women's wearing and the purchase situation of bicycle wear to develop functional bicycle wear that can satisfy active senior consumers. The survey was conducted for women in their fifties and sixties who ride bicycles on a regular basis. A total of 119 questionnaires were used for data analysis excluding incompletely replied questionnaires. Data was analyzed by descriptive analysis, frequency analysis and cross analysis. The results are as follows. First, 50's individuals represented 60% of this survey who continuously rodebicycles for 5 years or more. The purpose of riding bicycle was exercise, leisure and club activities. Second, they wore bicycle wear while riding due to activity, functionality and safety. There is also a requirement to manufacture comfortable bicycle wear easy to put on and take off and for old people. Third, considering the purchase situation of bicycle wear, the respondents had difficulties buying bicycle wear due to price. It is necessary to have bicycle wear at a reasonable price. Fourth, the most necessary functionsforbicycle wear materials were ventilation and durability. A major function needed for future developmentwill bethermoregulation.

• Journal of the Korea Fashion and Costume Design Association
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• v.10 no.2
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• pp.179-191
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• 2008

This study investigated Korean image preferences in casual wear of women consumers and the effects of demographic characteristics on Korean image preferences in casual wear. The subjects of the study were 653 women consumers who lived in Seoul. Data were collected during July, 2007. Statistical analyses used in the study were frequency, ANOVA and Duncan test. The results showed that respondents preferred to express Korean image by color in their casual wear. When it comes to specific preferences for pattern, fabric, and color, circular shape was most preferred as pattern, cotton was most preferred as fabric, and white color was most preferred as color. In addition, there were demographic differences in regard to preferences for pattern, fabric, color, and types of casual wear. The results showed that there were differences in age, occupation, income, and residence. For example, in regard to age, there were differences in the preferences for fabric, color, and types of casual wear. The older respondents preferred natural fabrics more while the younger respondents seemed to accept synthetic fabrics in their casual wear. Also, women aged over 40 preferred cotton pants for their casual wear. This study showed that demographic characteristics are important variables in segmenting the preferences of Korean image for casual wear market.

• Journal of Fashion Business
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• v.9 no.5
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• pp.65-76
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• 2005

The purpose of this research is to investigate the types of name spectrum and their characteristics of domestic fashion brand names focusing on women' wear and bisex wear, and also studied the differences based on the sex of brand target. 224 of women's wear brands and 99 of bisex wear brands were selected from ‘2002 Korea Fashion Yearbook’ under the criterion that their brand names were made in Korea and they should engage in business in 2002. The data analysis quatitatively evaluate the frequency and qualitatively evalute the image of brand product and the meaning of brand name. The result as follows; 1.The domestic fashion brands for women's and bisex wear appeared to have to three types of name spectrum ; the descriptive name was the most frequently used one, then followed by the arbitrary, and the suggestive name. There were only one coined brand name and no generic brand name. 2. The characteristics of descriptive brand name was that, in most cases, it used the name of designer. For the suggestive brand name, it implied the features or the image of its products. For the arbitrary brand name, some bear the ideology or the foundation belief of company itself. 3. For women's wear, the discriptive name appeared most, and followed by arbitrary, and the suggestive name. For bisex wear, the suggestive brand name appeared most, and followed by arbitrary name, and the discriptive name. 4. For descriptive brand name, the names of designer were used most in women's wear brands. Otherwise, the brand names that directly described the image or the characteristics of products were used most in bisex wear brands. For suggestive brand name, soft and feminine images were prevailed in women's wear brand names but comfotable and casual images were dominent in bisexsual brand names. For arbitrary brand name, as the various types of languages were combined and the various meanings and words were mixed, and imply the various meanings in both cases, it was hard to classify the characteristics into some categories.