Abstract
The purpose of this study is to provide basic information for the development of well-fitting and comfortable brassieres for women in their 30s, based on the classification of breast shapes by utilizing 3D body measurement data of women in the age group. The result of processing the measurements from the 3D body scan data through RapidForm 2006 shows that while the vertical body measurements decrease, the horizontal measurements, which indicates the degree of obesity, increase proportionally with age. Also, the relevant measurements for upper breasts increase proportionally with age, while the measurements for lower part of the breasts decrease as the degree of sagging increases. Four composition factors of the breasts were identified through the factor analysis: Factor 1 is the level of volume in the breasts and the surrounding area; Factor 2 is the position of nipples and the shape of upper part of breasts; Factor 3 is the position and vertical length of the breasts; Factor 4 is the shape of lower part of breasts; and Factor 5 is the shape of inner part of breasts and degree of width between both breasts. The breasts have been categorized into three distinctive shapes: Breast Shape 1, Breast Shape 2 and Breast Shape 3. According to the results of the cluster analysis, the largest percentage (36.68%) of women in their 30s falls into the category of Breast Shape 2 with small volume and flat upper breasts, followed by Breast Shape 1 (32.66%) with large volume in the upper and lower parts of breasts, and large side to side area, and Breast Shape 3 (30.65%) with average volume and width between breasts.
