• Journal of the Korea Fashion and Costume Design Association
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• v.17 no.1
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• pp.93-104
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• 2015

As interest grows in nursing-wear in accordance with dissemination of breast-feeding, a study on opening of nursing-wear is needed to enhance convenience of breast-feeding regardless of location. In this study, the items on nursing-wear were classified and each characteristic was analyzed. The types and characteristics of opening on nursing-wear were identified and the characteristics of nursing brassier closely related to the nursing-wear were also identified. Top 5 companies for the nursing-wear and nursing-brassier were selected by ranking top 5 in NAVER with the search word 'nursing-wear' and 'nursing-brassier'. 732 one-piece and top (t-shirt and blouse) which have the highest portion in the nursing-wear were selected as the subject. Based on the photo, product explanation on the internet and in-depth interview of designer, the types and characteristics of openings for each item were identified. 732 nursing-brassier were selected to study the types and openings in breast-feeding. The result is as follows. Firstly, the item of nursing-wear can be classified into top, one-piece, package of top and the bottom, and sleeveless. Top and one-piece have the highest production rate. Secondly, the types of the openings are either covering or opening types. There are vertical-slit and horizontal-slit in covering type, and vertical-zipper, horizontal-zipper, and button types in opening type, and overlap and pocket type for the rest. Thirdly, the commercially available nursing-brassier according to the opening manner can be classified into upper-opening, middle-opening, and overlap types. Most largely produced product is upper-opening type as it minimizes the exposure of the breast in breast-feeding. When producing the nursing-brassier, the measurement of the lower breast and cup size are considered.