Body Scanner Measurements for Apparel Design in Mexican Women

Introduction

In the sphere of Ergonomics, there is a clear need for anthropometric data in designing space, equipment and furnishings, with a large number of research projects establishing ergonomic guidelines for product or workspace design (Castellucci, Arezes, & Viviani, 2010; Dianat, Karimi, Asl Hashemi, & Bahrampour, 2013; Laios & Giannatsis, 2010; Panagiotopoulou, Christoulas, Papanckolaou, & Mandroukas, 2004; Yokota, 2005). However, apparel design should also include knowledge of the user population’s anthropometric data (Roebuck, Jr., 1995). Apparel fitting is important because contributes to the confidence and comfort of the wearer, but also because consumers tend to blame themselves when the clothes do not fit their bodies (Laitala, Klepp, & Benedicte, 2011). The close relationship between clothing, body measurement and shape, and proportion is still a challenge for ergonomic engineering (Konz & Johnson, 2000). Hsu (2008) points out that the application of ergonomics in the apparel should considers anthropometric data, as well as body shape and proportions.

In line, Loker, Ashdown, & Schoenfelder (2005) mention that one way of improving the sizing system is to change basic specifications for each size so they correspond more closely to proportions for the majority of the user population. Also, Pheasant (1996) has suggested that variations in body dimensions for different groups should be observed not only according to body size but body proportion. Body proportions are the relation calculated between one body dimension and a specific referent dimension. Proportions for various corporal dimensions change over the course of a life (Roebuck, Kromer, & Thomson, 1975).

Currently, there are many consumers who state frustration about the sizing systems and the incorrect use of the system (Laitala et al., 2011). For instance, the Kurt Salmon Associates (2000) study reported that 50% of women in the United States complain of not being able to find clothing that fits well. According to Laitala et al. (2011), there are disparities within clothing sizes used today, which could cause confusion and fit problems among customers. These authors also mention that the customer groups that have most problems are mainly women. For instance, in a survey of 106 young college women in Mexico, Corona (2014) found that 41.5% of participants did not know with certainty their size due to the variability of measurements for each size between brands.