• Journal of the Korea Fashion and Costume Design Association
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• v.22 no.3
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• pp.33-47
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• 2020

As people have gained leisure time and become more interested in sports, various industries catering to these sports, including aquatic and underwater activities are growing. Many people are getting into scuba diving, where people can explore the sea at depths of more than 40-meters. Despite the increasing demand, there are limited studies on the sport. This study aims to provide basic research on materials suitable for developing technical scuba diving suits by analyzing several areas, such as design, material, sewing patterns, etc. The following trends were observed in all wetsuits: closure designs, ergonomic patterns, practical and functional details. Neoprene was the primary material of diving suits, and various functional materials were attached to the outer fabric or lining. The seam technique which minimized water contact and improved durability was sewing. Various techniques were also applied, such as flatlock stitching, GBS, LFS, etc. Subsequent studies shall investigate consumer preference etc. and other aspects, and continue to allow for the research and development of technical diving suits.

• Journal of the Korea Fashion and Costume Design Association
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• v.23 no.3
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• pp.99-108
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• 2021

The present study examines the overall manufacturing status of local wetsuit makers, problems in the manufacturing process, and future research tasks. The study revealed that most manufacturers use neoprene fabric of varying thickness, depending on the body part. Normally, 3 mm-thick fabric is utilized for high-activity body parts and 5 mm-thick fabric is used for high-activity areas requiring thermal insulation. In terms of the manufacturing method, the tools and manufacturing processes used by companies were found to be similar. However, because of the nature of wetsuits requiring a more complicated manufacturing method than that of general clothing, there were some differences in the manufacturing method processes from company to company, such as bonding and ease treatments. According to wetsuit manufacturers, they make incisions in consideration of the body's curvature and the overall shape and design of the wetsuit when developing patterns. For example, most answered that they preform the wrist and ankle parts, where the body's curvature is obvious. On the question regarding the "difficult manufacturing process", the most frequent response was the "bonding" process. Most manufacturers were found to focus on designs that can improve mobility and clothing fit, and commonly experienced low-order quantity as an operational difficulty. As for the question on the wetsuit-related technology needed in the future, the "development of various designs" was the most frequent answer, followed by the "development of lightweight and diverse materials".

• Fashion & Textile Research Journal
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• v.21 no.1
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• pp.46-58
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• 2019

This study analyzes the effects of lifestyle on wetsuits purchasing behavior and identifies various characteristics among lifestyle groups. A questionnaire survey of 213 domestic consumers with water sport activity and wetsuits experience indicated the following results: 1) Lifestyle factors were analyzed as 6 factors: social relation ships, development orientation, trend & appearance, domestic, positive acknowledgement of hobbies, pursuit of practicality. And the wetsuits selection criteria was 4 factors: wearing fitness, product information, design, reputation. 2) Social relationships, development orientation, positive acknowledgement of hobbies and pursuit of practicality factors had a positive effect fitness. Trend & appearance, development orientation, and pursuit of practicality factors had a positive effect on product information factors ; in addition, development orientation, and trend & appearance, a positive acknowledgement of hobbies factors had a positive effect design factors. Social relationships, trend & appearance, and pursuit of practicality factors had a positive effect on reputation factors. However, trend & appearance factors negatively affected the wearing fitness factors and the positive acknowledgement of hobbies factors had negative effect on product information, reputation factors. 3) The three groups of lifestyle factors showed differences in monthly average purchasing of clothes, average annual purchasing expenditures for water sports related products, number of water sport activity days and frequency, product selection criteria.