Proposed sizing for young South African women of African descent with triangular shaped bodies

Abstract

In South Africa, a representative anthropometric study of South African women has never been undertaken, as such little is known about the body shapes of South African women. Nevertheless, research on the body shapes of South African women is ongoing (Makhanya, 2012). According to the preliminary findings of Makhanya’s (2012) research, 59.26% of South African female students of African descent have a triangular body shape. The triangular body shape differs from the ideal body shape that ready-to-wear apparel sizing is presently based on, and is a contributing factor to the problems experienced with the quality of fit of ready-to-wear apparel by South African women of African descent. Therefore, the aim of this exploratory study was to develop experimental size specifications for the body measurements required for a basic sheath dress for South African female students of African descent with a triangular body shape. The students were of medium height, aged between 18 and 25 years, in the size 6/30 to size 14/38 size range, and enrolled at the University of Pretoria. The experimental size specifications were developed by statistically analysing an anthropometric database of female students of the University of Pretoria using regression analysis. Thereafter, the quality of fit attained from the experimental size specifications and the traditional (i.e. current) size specifications was evaluated to determine whether the experimental size specifications offer the unit of analysis with improved overall quality of fit. A panel of professionals with experience in apparel fit evaluation evaluated the quality of fit of the test garments. The test garments developed from the experimental size specifications were considered by the panel of professionals to offer the unit of analysis with improved overall quality of fit. The findings of the study suggest that South African ready-to-wear apparel sizing needs to accommodate the different body shapes found in South Africa.