• Journal of the Korean Society of Clothing and Textiles
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• v.33 no.10
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• pp.1665-1672
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• 2009

This study examines the comfort of outdoorwear by electrocardiogram (ECG) and electroencephalogram (EEG) analyses. An experiment that consisted of rest (30 min), exercise (30 min), and recovery (20 min) periods was administered in a climate chamber with 10 healthy male participants. Two kinds of outdoorwear made of 100% cotton fabrics ('Control') and specially engineered fabrics having the feature of quick sweat absorbency and high speed drying fabric ('Functional') are evaluated in the experiment. ECG and EEG signals were obtained during the rest and recovery periods for the two outdoorwear conditions. The ECG analysis identified a smaller decrement of high frequency (HF) power for the 'Functional' when compared with the 'Control' during the recovery period. Next, the EEG analysis showed that the relative band powers of slow $\alpha$ and mid $\alpha$ increased for the 'Functional' while they decreased for the 'Control' and that the ratio of $\alpha$ power to high $\beta$ power was higher for the 'Functional'. The evaluation results indicate that the participants could remain relaxed more with less stress while wearing the functional outdoorwear that demonstrated the positive effects on autonomic nervous system (ANS) activities. The present study is significant in regard that use of ECG and EEG for the assessment of wear comfort is the first in the field of clothing and textile.

• Fashion & Textile Research Journal
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• v.11 no.6
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• pp.947-952
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• 2009

The purpose of this study is to analyze skin wettedness($w$) used as the rate index of thermal comfort, and to evaluate the wear comfort of outdoorwear. Skin wettedness is widely used to express the degree of thermal comfort. If skin wettedness exceeds a certain threshold, the body feels damp and discomfort. An experiment which consisted of rest(30 min), exercise(30 min) and recovery(20 min) periods was administered in a climate chamber with 10 healthy male participants. Two kinds of outdoorwears made of 100% cotton fabrics (Control) and specially engineered fabrics having feature of quick sweat absorbency and high speed drying fabric (Functional) were evaluated in the experiment. The condition of climate chamber was controlled according to the thermal insulation of 4 kinds of experimental ensembles(E1~E4). Total sweat loss, sweat loss absorbed into clothing and skin temperature were measured. Skin wettedness was calculated from the ratio of evaporative rate to the maximal evaporative capacity. Skin wettedness of 'Functional' was lower than 'Control' in the 3 kinds of ensembles(E1, E2, E4) because the materials of 'Functional' were composed of quick sweat absorbency and high speed drying fabrics, water vapour permeability and waterproof fabrics.

• Science of Emotion and Sensibility
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• v.11 no.2
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• pp.181-192
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• 2008

The purpose of this study was to examine the outdoorwear satisfaction of silver consumers and their purchase behavior according to age. The survey participants in this study were 100 elders who were climbing the Bukhan mountain; 68 among them were new silver group in range of 55-64 years old. As the subjects were old people who had a relatively low level of cognitive ability, self-administration method and interview were employed together. The collected data were analyzed with t-Test and x2 -test. The results follow: the new silver group had purchased more and spent more money on outdoorwear. The brand recognition, purchase place, purchase criteria, and dissatisfaction factors of silver groups were different from those from new silver groups. The quality and design/color were thought to be needed for improvement for a new silver group, while quality and comfort/wearability were for silver group.

• The Research Journal of the Costume Culture
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• v.19 no.5
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• pp.1088-1101
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• 2011

The purpose of this study was to examine the outdoor sportswear purchase behavior, outdoorwear sportswear brand preference, functional fabric awareness, and benefits sought. The research was performed through in-depth interview during February to March 2011. Data were collected from 10 consumers who had purchased outdoor sportswear and experienced camping in 6 months. First, the results from study showed that functionality/comfortability, design, color, and brand name were important factors in selecting outdoor sportswear. Offline stores were the main place to purchase, however, internet shopping mall and portal online community were another shopping channel as well. Second, respondents preferred imported outdoor sportswear brand to national brand. According to the study, the respondents trusted the imported outdoor sportswear quality based on the brand name, value, and brand history more than national brand. Third, consumers who had low functional fabric awareness were more likely to evaluate apparel products based on the brand name. Knowledge levels for textile functions were high in elastic, UV protection, air permeable, and antibacterial properties. The essential features for camping were water absorbing and quick dry, water resistance, wind proof, UV protection, and fire retardant properties. Finally the results showed that there were two sportswear benefit soughts: functionality and status ostentation.

• The Research Journal of the Costume Culture
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• v.22 no.5
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• pp.823-833
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• 2014

The objective of this study was to take a closer look at the clothing benefits sought by breast cancer survivors in Korea. A qualitative descriptive study was conducted, using the focus group interview. Data was collected from members of online breast cancer forum. 18 participants were breast cancer survivors who had mastectomy or lumpectomy in their 30s~50s. The data was analyzed using content analysis in order to identify significant themes. The analysis indicated that benefits were sought after functional/comfort, health, feminity, and compensation were found. First, breast cancer survivors considered functional/comfort to be most important benefit so as to keep the body comfortable from the weather. Second, participants put the healthy body as the first priority and chose a well-being lifestyle and were likely to wear clothes made in healthy fabric, such as organic, bamboo or charcoal. Also, they preferred to look active by wearing sport brands or outdoorwear brands. Third, after the surgery, they experienced the sense of femininity loss and the sense of crisis as a woman. Single women and married women in early 30s recognized more seriously, and they tried to recover feminity by wearing clothes with feminine details. Forth, breast cancer survivor consumers tended to shop for the psychological compensation. In summary, consumers with breast cancer surgery, unlike general healthy women, did not sought to be economic, fashion, self-expression benefits, rather they sought health, femininity, and compensation benefits. Therefore, it seems necessary to develop proper products and marketing strategy to meet the said consumer's special needs.