• The Research Journal of the Costume Culture
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• v.11 no.5
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• pp.647-656
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• 2003

Mass customization utilizes the new computer technologies, supply chain management, product information management, and some level of customization of the product for the individual customer. This study aimed at grasping the actual conditions of mass customization of domestic men's suit industry and the use of MTM CAD program. The MTM apparel production programs that are used by five leading men's suit manufacturers in Korea were compared. The results of the study showed that most of the manufacturers produced mass customized men's suits to supply extraordinarily large or small size suit based on the individual order. The information listed on an order sheet used at shops was not necessarily corresponding to the information in the MTM CAD program that is use for production of suit ordered from the shop. The pattern data base on the MTM CAD program are constructed based on the sizing system of individual manufacturer. The most manufacturers translated the customer's body dimensions into difference between the standard pattern and the customer's needed adjustment.

• Fashion & Textile Research Journal
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• v.18 no.2
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• pp.225-234
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• 2016

An online suit-customizing system for the special accessibility needs of wheelchair users should be developed because the demand for business suits by wheelchair users involved in economic activities has increased. This study develops a user interface an online customizing system for men's suits specialized for wheelchair users. This study used a five-step approach: (1) search for online men's suits customizing system in web porter sites, (2) select three sites based on three terms, (3) heuristic testing with five web specialists, (4) development of a system user interface based on suggestions for improvement from the heuristic test, (5) usability testing of the user interface prototype by 10 disabled men in wheelchairs. The interface of Company S had high ratings on interactivity, accessibility, informativeness, and consistency in the heuristic test results; subsequently, a user interface was developed based on suggestions for improvement from the heuristic test. This online user interface for customizing men's suits provides better usability to wheelchair users than existing online interfaces aimed at the non-disabled and disabled; consequently, this study contributes to the commercialization of an online customizing system for men's suits specializing in serving wheelchair users.

• Journal of the Korean Society of Clothing and Textiles
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• v.28 no.12 s.138
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• pp.1605-1616
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• 2004

The purpose of this study was to investigate the commonly accepted ease for a custom-fit business jacket, which provides all customers with the optimum fit regarding their individual body sizes, shapes as well as their personal preference, and also to characterize the factors which affects the ease amount, thereby, supply the reference data to manufacturers of the apparel industry. This study consisted of anthropometric measurements as well as sensory evaluations, and analysed ease amount by body sizes, ages, fit satisfaction, self-perception of body, and the prefered fit levels. There were 272 subjects for anthropometric measurement of which 128 subjects were applied for ease analysis and sensory evaluation. The subjects were males of 20 to 65 years old. The ease at chest was the most sensitive to body sizes and shapes, while waist and hip were easily modified to accommodate the silhouette of the jacket. The main dimensions affecting individual perceptions of fit and ease were the characteristics of body shape, in particular, girth, followed by age. Customers paided most attention to the shoulder fit while customers who preferred a more fitted line showed more concern with ease for jacket fit. It was clearly observable in case of waist fit preference. In addition, the preferred fit at chest, waist and hip would be changed by the perception of ons's hip size.

• Fashion & Textile Research Journal
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• v.18 no.6
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• pp.746-754
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• 2016

This study aimed to investigate the status of ready-made suit and MTM (Made-to-measure) suit production with 10 men's suit brands turning over 200 billion won. Their target age group is late 30's to late 40's. Regarding production for the ready-made suit, eight out of 10 brands are using both KS and their own sizing. Classification of body shapes was done in 8 brands, mostly for upper body in simple ways (lean, normal, and obese). All brands are conducting fittings on only standard size. The number of sizes produced is varying depending on the brands; 9 to 17 for a jacket and 9 to 20 for a pair of pants. Regarding on the MTM production, four out of 10 brands have implemented MTM production. The rate of MTM production to their total production is about 15-20%. There were positive opinions on MTM production since it enables to reduce stocks through a small quantity of production for necessary sizes only. The reasons of orders of MTM production were answered as 'no size available', 'unique body shape', etc., and most orders were placed by consumers who are fat-bellied or have thick thighs. They have used MTM automated CAD software developed by Gerber Technology or Investronica. All the brands have utilized automated marker-making software and cutting facilities for MTM production.

• Journal of the Korean Society of Clothing and Textiles
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• v.39 no.6
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• pp.885-898
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• 2015

This study develops scales to measure clothing consumption values for Korean male consumers. This study conducted qualitative and quantitative research to explore a new clothing consumption value among males as well as investigate empirically the measurement of clothing consumption values. In-depth interviews and focus group interviews were collected for qualitative research on 20 Korean men in their 20s-40s who had experience with 2 types of stores in Korean men's fashion. An analysis of qualitative data based on grounded theory approaches identified 6 factors and 15 items. For the empirical research, the questionnaire which consist of 9 factors and 46 items were developed by the results of grounded theory approaches and prior studies. Final measurement scales were based on 651 data used in exploratory factor analysis (EFA) and a confirmatory factor analysis (CFA). All subjects were in their 20s-40s. The result from CFA suggested 4 factors and 18 items with showing acceptable construct validity and discriminant validity. Therefore, this study confirmed that clothing consumption value for Korean male consumer consist of ostentatious and brand value, epistemic and possession value, conditional value, and reasonable value. These constructs will provide critical insight in understanding and segmenting Korean male consumers.

• The Research Journal of the Costume Culture
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• v.25 no.2
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• pp.192-205
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• 2017

Modern men are much more interested in their appearance than ever before, as well as showing an increased need for uniqueness in order to construct their own sphere and pursue differentiation from others. Besides, changes in life style and the aesthetic sense are causing men to pursue various kinds of clothing benefits so that they want a suit with characteristics beyond the stereotyped design and style. They have started to be actively engaged in clothing purchases, forming a driving force for the growth of the male suit market. Hence, this study has significance in that it offers data conducive to consumers' custom suit purchase by reviewing data on the present condition of the custom suit market and bespoke suits. In addition, it aims to give a summary on the theoretical bases of preceding studies, including the need for uniqueness, pursuit of clothing benefit and concern for the appearance of male consumers, as well as examining the factors that influence on their bespoke suit purchase intentions. Accordingly, this work intends to construct a basic environment for consumers to approach the custom suit market easily and pave the way for male suit markets through offering marketing data and information that is helpful for custom suit-related markets.