Abstract:
This research compared body shapes, measurements, ratios and fit problems of 234
African (109) and Caucasian (125) women. A 3-dimensional (3D) full body scanner
generated virtual body images from which circumferential, width, protrusion and
height measurements were extracted. Thereafter, circumferential and height ratios
were computed. Drop values of key circumferential measurements were used to
classify participants’ bodies; these were later visually confirmed and adopted. Results
revealed that the triangle, hourglass and rectangle were the three most predominant
shapes amongst African and Caucasian women. There was a significant association
between the three most predominant body shapes and ethnicity. There were
significant differences in some body measurements and ratios, most of which were
observed between African and Caucasian triangle shapes, as well as in some of the
other body shapes and the Caucasian hourglass used in the apparel industry. The
differences especially between the Caucasian hourglass and the other body shapes
may be the root cause of the persistent fit problems reported by some of the predominant body shapes at some of the selected body parts. This study therefore,
concluded that multi-cultural markets need to identify characteristics of all prevalent
shapes within a population in order to minimise apparel fit problems.
