• Journal of Fashion Business
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• v.18 no.1
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• pp.80-100
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• 2014

As men have started to show more desire to express themselves through clothing and accessories also they learn by themselves and take diverse experiences about fashion. At the same time, men's fashion-consciousness is growing together. The role of male consumers' is becoming significant in the fashion market, and there has been more research on their clothes and fashion is increasing, however research on the male casual clothing for their 30~49 years old group is still insufficient. This study aims to examine the casual brands for men in their 30~40s and their characteristics among other men's brands recently appearing in Korea. The results of the study found: first, regarding the questionnaire to give men's casual brand names, 30s males' answers showed clearer recognition about the casual brand than those of 40s males. secondly, the factors affecting attitude of male consumers' towards casual brands are designed 'aesthetics', 'surroundings' and 'price', and the men in their 40s put more important than men in their 30s on 'aesthetics' and 'surroundings'. third, when men were actually buying casual brand, they then took five characteristic factors into account namely: 'the external environment', 'functionality' design 'aesthetics', 'symbolic' and 'price'. Men in their 30s did not show much difference in actual purchase characteristics in regards for the brand factors but men in their 40s showed interest when asked about 'buying product with noticeable brand logo or trademark' item among 'symbolic' factors than men in their 30s (p< .01 of significant difference).

• Journal of the Korean Society of Clothing and Textiles
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• v.35 no.2
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• pp.125-135
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• 2011

This study compares the expected values of appearance management for the suit buying behavior of men in two age groups: (20s-30s and 40s-50s) to investigate the effect of male consumers' expected values in regards to appearance management on the purchase behavior of men's suits between two generations. A survey was carried out with male consumers between the ages of 20 and 50; a total of 135 responses were analyzed by descriptive analysis, factor analysis, a reliability test, an independent samples t-test, MANOVA, ANOVA, and regression analysis. The results of this study were as follows: 1) From a result of the factor analysis on male consumers' expected value of appearance management and the information sources and purchase evaluative criteria for buying men's suits, each of three variance assessments clearly showed factorial structures. 2) There were significant differences between those in their 20s-30s and those in their 40s-50s in terms of male consumers' expected values of appearance management, their information sources, and their purchase evaluative criteria when buying men's suits. 3) As a result of looking at the differences in the effects of expected values of appearance management on men's suit buying behavior according to age (generation), the younger generation in this study showed that men's suit purchasing tendency was affected by the managing appearance factor for internal reasons such as enjoyment and self-satisfaction. On the other hand, the assessment of the older generation revealed that appearance management for external reasons such as showing social power, good human relationships, and conformity influenced their suit purchase behaviors.

• Journal of the Korean Home Economics Association
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• v.43 no.9 s.211
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• pp.27-40
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• 2005

The purpose of this study was to examine the relationship between male consumers' clothing shopping orientation and sex role identity. Since shopping, especially clothing shopping has been traditionally considered a female job, it was expected that male consumers' sex role identity would influence how they approach the task of clothing shopping. Data were collected through an Internet survey firm from men aged between 20 and 40 years(N=199). The major results are as follows: 1. Based on the six clothing shopping orientation factors identified tv factor analysis, the respondents were categorized into 5 distinct groups: Self-Directed Shoppers, Planners, Brand-Oriented Shoppers, Convenience Shoppers, and Impulsive High-Involvers. 2. Five sex role factors were identified by factor analysis: two masculinity factors (strong and reticent) and three femininity factors(gentle, meticulous, and affable). Among these factors, 'gentle' was considered the most ideal, followed in order by 'strong,' 'meticdous,' 'affable,' and 'reticent.' 3. The results of MANOVA showed that the clothing shopping orientation groups statistically differed in their perceived sex role identity as well as in their ideal sex role identity. Overall, Self-Directed Shoppers and Impulsive High-Involvers scored higher in both perceived masculinity and femininity than the other groups. Convenience Shoppers and Planners were high in femininity but low in masculinity. The Brand-Oriented Shoppers were low in both masculinity and femininity. The results indicate that Korean males who are in their 20s and 30s consider androgyny as a desirable state. In addition, those who are high in androgyny are more likely to be highly involved in clothing shopping.

• Journal of the Korean Society of Clothing and Textiles
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• v.37 no.4
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• pp.514-525
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• 2013

Korea International Trade Association (KITA) statistics show that the import of circular-knitted clothes has suddenly increased since 2000; they have increased by 24.5% each year for 2000-2004 and by 8.2% for 2005-2009. In addition, a Korea Apparel Industry Association survey showed that more than 50% of young people in their 20s and more than 40% of mid-aged people in their 30s-40s wore T-shirts (the most frequently worn and/or regarded as the most comfortable item among knit clothes). This portion is expected to increase in the future; however, insufficient research has been conducted on the characteristics of product development and production, knit T-shirt pattern development (Park, 2011), and consumer purchase patterns and behavior for knit clothes. The evaluation criteria for knit clothes generally vary depending on the demographic characteristics of consumers (Kotler & Armstrong, 2006). This study conducted a wearing trends survey for circular-knitted T-shirts and fit satisfaction based on 318 male and female consumers in their 20s-30s. The results provide information on the basic materials required to produce circular-knitted T-shirts.

• Journal of Global Scholars of Marketing Science
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• v.20 no.1
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• pp.70-79
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• 2010

There has been some research conducted that addressed immoral consumer behaviors in Korea; however, most of this research focused on purchasing counterfeits or shoplifting. High return rates of apparel and used apparel returns have been acknowledged as problem areas within the fashion industry. However, very few researchers have addressed this issue. Therefore, the goal of this research was to explore consumer's retail borrowing experience using a mixed methods approach. In study 1 Korean consumer's retail borrowing experiences was explored through focus group interviews. Findings informed study 2 an examination of apparel consumers' attitudes toward retail borrowing behavior via an online survey. Findings assist both researchers' and practitioners' understanding of retail borrowing behaviors and provide insight into retail borrowing issues in the apparel retail industry. For study 1, five focus-group interviews were conducted with seven panels of individuals that had retail borrowing experience within the past year. Thirty-five Korean consumers who lived in a metropolitan area participated in the focus group interviews. Most of consumers were in their 20's (n=21) and were women (n=24). Most participants purchased apparel items from a retail store and returned the worn items for either a full refund or exchanged the worn item for another item. Motives underlying retail borrowing behavior included social needs, job-related needs, fashion needs, and "smart shopping." Similar to existing research findings from other countries, social needs were the most frequently mentioned cause of retail borrowing in fashion stores. Consumers' moral values, attitude toward large corporations, and prior retail borrowing experience were mentioned as possible factors affecting consumers' retail borrowing behavior. For study 2, the questionnaire used to gather the data was developed based on the findings of part I and existing research. Questions concerning consumers' moral beliefs, sensation seeking tendencies, self-worth, past retail job experience, retail borrowing experience, and some demographic characteristics were included in the questionnaire. The data were collected via an online survey using an online panel provided by a commercial online research company located in Seoul, Korea. In order to obtain various consumers, a quota sample was (male: female=1:1, 20's:30's:40's=1:1:1, retail experience: no retail experience=1:3) obtained from the company. A total of 401 consumers who had shopped for apparel items during the prior 6 months participated in the online survey. The results indicated that 19.7% of the respondents reported they had experience borrowing fashion merchandise. Among these individuals, male borrowers (57%) outnumbered female borrowers. In terms of age distribution, x2 revealed that there was a statistical difference between respondents with and without retail borrowing experiences: 41.8% of the respondents with retail borrowing experience were in their 40's, while respondents without retail borrowing experience were evenly distributed between their 20's to 40's. There was also a significant difference between respondents with and without retail borrowing experience in terms of income: respondents with retail borrowing experience tended to have higher incomes than those without retail borrowing experience. T-tests were performed to compare respondents' fashion shopping behavior, moral beliefs, sensation-seeking tendencies, and attitudes toward retail borrowing behavior between participants with and without retail borrowing experience. As compared to those with no borrowing experience, respondents with experience tended to shop for fashion items more frequently and spent more on shopping for fashion items. Consumers with experience borrowing tended to have higher sensation-seeking tendencies than consumers without retail borrowing experience. A regression analysis revealed that attitudes toward fashion retail borrowing were negatively related to consumers' moral beliefs, but positively related to monthly fashion shopping frequency, sensation-seeking tendencies, and past fashion retail borrowing experience. Among these variables, past retail borrowing experience was the most significant predictor, followed by moral beliefs. This research serves as an initial attempt to address the motives that underlie retail borrowing behaviors and the factors affecting those behaviors. The findings of this study may facilitate an understanding of the consumer's retail borrowing, which will provide a basis for approaches that may help decrease retail borrowing and inappropriate returns at fashion retail stores. The findings may also provide materials for consumer education over the long term. In order to better understand fashion retail borrowing behavior, more research is needed in the future.

• Fashion & Textile Research Journal
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• v.20 no.4
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• pp.389-399
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• 2018

The purpose of this study was to investigate the differences of sociocultural attitudes toward appearance, clothing and cosmetics purchasing behaviors according to male consumer's age group. The research method was survey and subjects were 656 male consumers. The results were as follows. First, three factors (appearance importance awareness, appearance internalization, and slimness importance awareness) were emerged on sociocultural attitudes toward appearance. Young age group showed higher level of appearance importance awareness and internalization than middle age group. Second, there were many differences on clothing purchasing behaviors by age variable. Young age group more importantly considered psycho-social purchasing motives, aesthetic selection criteria, and the internet as information source and purchasing place than middle age group. Whereas middle age group more importantly considered practical purchasing motives, practical selection criteria, and store display & salesman as information sources, and fashion outlet as purchasing place than young age group. Third, there were also many differences on cosmetics purchasing behaviors by age variable. Young age group used more and various cosmetics, and they more importantly considered skin improvement as purchasing motive, skin suitability and price as selection criteria, the internet as information source and purchasing place than middle age group. On the other hand, middle age group generally used fundamental cosmetics, and they more importantly considered skin protection as purchasing motive, quality as selection criterion, TV and store display & salesman as information sources, and discount store and cosmetics speciality store as purchasing places than young age group.

• The Research Journal of the Costume Culture
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• v.28 no.4
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• pp.446-462
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• 2020

The objectives of this study are to explore the information source, assessment, and preferred styles of 3D virtual influencers(VI), to investigate the expected impact of advertisements with 3D VIs on brands, and to explore ways of expanding the use of 3D VIs. In-depth interviews with 40 males and females in their 20s and 30s were conducted and qualitative data were analyzed. The study results are summarized as follows. First, the information source of the 3D VI was SNS, acquaintances, and broadcasting. Second, 3D VIs were considered positively due to their attractive appearance, wide utilization, innovative use, freshness, separation from private identity, and time and cost savings, while considered negatively due to their unrealistic appearance and antipathy against replacing a person's role. Third, the preferred appearance styles of the 3D VI differed according to the level of virtuality although the majority of interviewees preferred similar looks to real people with low virtuality. Fourth, diverse image qualities such as innovative, differentiated, trendy, high-value, professional, and future-oriented were considered as transferred to the brand advertised by 3D VIs. Fifth, advertisements with 3D VIs may help build positive perceptions of advertised brands that may lead to purchase behaviors for some consumers. Lastly, to expand the use of 3D VIs, the specific advantages of virtual models should be maximized with consideration of how to implement a variety of body types and images of models. Findings present an important foundation to generate strategies to better apply 3D VIs to the fashion market.

• International Journal of Costume and Fashion
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• v.15 no.2
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• pp.19-36
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• 2015

The purpose of this study is to research the purchasing behavior according to the pursuit benefit for outdoor wear and to present a direction to outdoor wear. Questionnaire survey was administered to 533 male and female adults in their 30s to 40s living in Seoul and Gyeonggido from May 1 to 15, 2014. Concerning the statistic treatment for data analysis, SPSS for Window 18.0 was used to carry out frequency analysis, factor analysis, reliability test, cluster analysis, ANOVA and Duncan test as post-test. Benefit was drawn out as 4 elements including 'showing off & brand benefit sought', 'fashion benefits sought', 'functionality benefits sought' and 'economic benefits sought'. Group analysis according to benefit showed that it was materialized to 'multiple benefit sought group', 'unconcern group', 'showing off & brand benefit sought group' and 'utility benefit sought group'. There is an academic significance in that this research found out the level of benefit in purchasing outdoor wear and the difference of purchasing behavior by consumer groups according to benefit. This result might be used efficiently by marketers in outdoor clothing industry in classifying consumers and establishing the marketing strategy to deal with it.

• Asia-pacific Journal of Multimedia Services Convergent with Art, Humanities, and Sociology
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• v.7 no.11
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• pp.1-15
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• 2017

Understanding muslim consumers' needs and behaviour is an essential process for strategic product development in the Halal food market. For our study on Indonesian consumers of Halal food, we conduct a survey of 200 Muslims residing in Indonesia on awareness of ginseng (G) and red ginseng (RG) products, eating experience, like or dislike reasons, cognitive level on the efficacy of G and RG products, purchase behaviors, satisfaction and repurchase intention through a web-based questionnaire methodology. This study reveals that 58 % and 51% of the participants indicate an awareness of G and RG products. In particular, awareness amongst medium- and high-income male consumers in their 20s and 30s is relatively high. This group of participants is also more likely to consume eat G and RG products for health promotion, refreshment, and disease prevention, and positively evaluated product efficacy. They are also aware of the efficacy claims of these products with regard to enhancement of immunity, fatigue, and stamina. While Indonesian Muslim consumers express satisfaction with the health claims, packaging specifications, and design of the products, they are dissatisfied with product types, price, taste, and aroma. The results also found that participants would recommend G and RG products to acquaintances, and are willing to purchase them in the future. Therefore, the segmentation of Halal-certified G and RG products for Muslim consumers and analysis on their product needs could be advantageous for strategic product development.

• Journal of the Korean Society of Food Science and Nutrition
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• v.45 no.3
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• pp.437-444
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• 2016

This study was carried out to investigate food label perception and utilization classified by age and sex. Questionnaires were collected from 938 male and female customers aged in their 20's to 50's from February 4th to March 30th 2014. Regarding checking food labels at the time of purchase, 73.8% of consumers checked food labels, and there was a significant difference by age and sex. Female more often checked food labels than males, and the 40's group showed a higher ratio of checking food labels than other age groups. The main reason for checking food label was 'confirming expiration date' (60%), 'ingredients' (16.4%), and 'nutrition contents' (13.7%). The main reason not checking food labels was 'too small and insufficient to understand' (50.3%), 'too difficult to understand' (16.4%), and 'have no concern' (14.9%). There was a significant difference by age, as in the 50's group showed a higher ratio of 'too small and insufficient to understand' than the other age groups, and 20's and 30's groups showed a higher ratio of 'too difficult to understand'. The overall satisfaction score was 2.96, awareness score was 2.88, and reliability score was 2.93. A total of 96% answered that food labelling education is needed. Therefore, food labelling education for consumers is required to encourage consumers to purchase healthy foods.