• Journal of the Korean Society of Clothing and Textiles
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• v.39 no.1
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• pp.15-29
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• 2015

This study analyzes the mechanism that explains how various service quality factors are related to consumer satisfaction when plus-size and regular-size women are engaged in fashion shopping. We constructed and tested service quality- perceived value-satisfaction model with size as a control variable. We defined plus-size women as those with a BMI over 25 and regular-size women below 25. Data were collected during April and May, 2012 and responses from 189 plus-size women and 246 regular-size women were used in the final analysis. The results are as follows. First, among service quality factors, attention was significantly related to perceived service value for both plus-size women and regular-size women. However, store facilities were significantly related to perceived service value for only plus-size women and kindness was significantly related to perceived service value only in the case of regular-size women. Second, perceived service value was significantly related to product satisfaction and service satisfaction for plus-size women and regular- size women. However a moderating effect was found between the groups where the influences of perceived service value on product satisfaction and service satisfaction in the case of plus-size women were greater than regular-size women. Third, in the case of regular-size women, service satisfaction was positively affected by product satisfaction. However, the relationship between them was not found in the case of plus-size women.

• Journal of the Korean Society of Clothing and Textiles
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• v.37 no.3
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• pp.306-319
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• 2013

This study explores various issues of appearance management behavior for plus-size women in Korea with a focus on clothing. In-depth interviews and focused group interviews were conducted with 24 plus-size women. The interviews were recorded and the transcripts were analyzed based on grounded theory. Discomfort was the main phenomenon involving the experience of plus-size women related to appearance management. Psychological as well as physiological/physical discomfort, unmet needs (regarding clothing) and inconvenient shopping experiences were frequently mentioned. Causal conditions for discomfort were obesity, social stigma, and an underdeveloped clothing market for plus-size consumers. Interviewees developed strategies to cope with discomfort (suppressing clothing need, loss of interest in clothing, diversion from clothing needs, sole focus on physical comfort, dress-up and increase in shopping channels, and change in shopping patterns) that depended on contextual conditions (such as duration of obesity and attitudes of people) close to the interviewees. The discomfort of interviewees decreased or continued depending on if they became ambivalent about their obese condition, lost weight, or utilized plus-size specialty stores.

• Fashion & Textile Research Journal
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• v.15 no.1
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• pp.35-45
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• 2013

The purposes of this study were to segment the women's plus-size market by the types of store patronage, profile the segments, and examine the differences in satisfaction with clothing attributes and variety of plus-size apparels according to different segments. The questionnaires included the 7-point likert scales on store patronage, satisfaction, clothing involvement and body cathexis. Five body measurements were recorded by sales people, and the respondents also provided information on their weight, height and garment size in addition to demographic characteristics. Questionnaires were collected from 7 franchise stores in Seoul, Anyang, Daegu, and Cheonan during the months of February, 2011 to April, 2011. 210 questionnaires were distributed and 160 were returned. Excluding incomplete questionnaires, a total of 149 questionnaires were used in the final analysis. The cluster analysis based on store patronage identified four segments- major patrons of specialty stores, multi-channel users, regular store users, and internet shopping mall users. Significant differences were found among the four segments of women's plus-size consumers in terms of clothing involvement, age, occupation, education and clothing expenditures. Internet shopping mall user group were in overall less satisfied with several clothing attributes and variety compared to other groups.

• The Research Journal of the Costume Culture
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• v.11 no.1
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• pp.153-164
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• 2003

For this study, 148 female adults between the ages of 20 and 60 who satisfied the plus-size judgment criteria took part in this study. Criteria were Rohrer index is higher than 1.5, bust girth larger than 90cm, and RBW(relative body weight) index higher than 110. Using anthropometric measurement values, indirect measurement values, and index values, this study analyzed frequencies, Duncan multiple range, and ANOVA to obtain information on characteristics that determine a representative body shape, by age, 1'3r Plus-sized women. The results are as follows: Physical Characteristics of Pius-Sized Women by Their Age: Women in their 20s md 30s had broader shoulders with smaller waists, with large buttocks and thighs. Among women in their 50s and 60s, body fat level increased significantly in regions such as the chest and abdomen, which made their upper body heavier.

• The International Journal of Costume Culture
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• v.8 no.1
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• pp.43-50
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• 2005

This research analyzed the anthropometric data for Filipino plus-size women. The study aims to identify key dimensions used for the sizing system that can improve on fit and style concerns/issues for the plus-sizes. This study also develop a reference of body measurements for Filipino plus-size women from the data collected. The data was collected from subjects residing or working in the University of the Philippines and within Metro Manila. The full figure body shapes have been derived from the raw anthropometric data. The pear and the barrel shapes were derived figure types based on the anthropometric data collected. These body types show that weight distribution is on the lower torso for the pear and the upper torso for the barrel.

• The Research Journal of the Costume Culture
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• v.13 no.1
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• pp.6-17
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• 2005

The purpose of this research is to define low body shapes of Plus-sized women at ages between 21 and 69 whose satisfied the Plus-sized judgment criteria took part in this study. This research also classifies different body types, and provides basic data for designing skirt's and slacks' prototypes according to each body type. Based on factor analysis of the measured data, seven key factors are grouped. And four different body types are classified based on the cluster analysis using factor marks. Type 1 refers to those who are tall in stature and balanced. This body type is characterized by trapezoid body shape when looked from the front, and slim the abdomen, bulge the belly and flat the buttocks when looked from the side. Type 2 refers to short and an obese body shapes, with trapezoid front and bulge abdomen and belly and flat the buttocks. Type 3 refers to those who are of medium height and long-legged body shapes, with rectangular front, protruding belly and buttocks. Type 4 refers to obese body shapes, with rectangular front, protruding abdomen and belly, flat the buttocks. 9 items are available to judge Plus-sized women's low body types and the hit ratio is 93.5%.

• Korean Journal of Human Ecology
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• v.18 no.6
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• pp.1303-1314
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• 2009

The purpose of this study lies in examining the characteristics of differentiated body types for plus-size women and obtaining basic data for the wide-ranging choices of ready-made clothing in a consumer's place. The results of this study displayed no significant differences for subjects in their 30s and 40s in comparison to standards by ages but showed a significant difference with subjects in their 50s when compared with the data from Size Korea (2004). Research data in the height and length categories were lower, and the majority of data from the other categories were higher. In order to analyze the characteristics of a plus-size woman's body, 4 factors were differentiated into 3 types with 17 categories: Factor 1 was the element of the thickness of the trunk, factor 2 was the element of the thickness of the lower body and legs, factor 3 was the element of shoulder size and factor 4 was the element of the upper body length. The accumulation rate was shown to be 74.47%. The characteristics for each type were as follows: Type 1 is a body type with a relatively thin waist, small width and girth of upper body and curvy lower body, type 2 is the average body type, and type 3 is a body type with big breasts and abdominal obesity. The standard body type belonged to type 2. According to the correspondency test between age and type, the characteristics of type 1 corresponded relatively close to the measures of subjects in their 40s and relatively far from subjects in their 30s to 50s while type 2 and type 3 appeared to be similar to subjects in their 50s.

• Journal of the Korea Society of Computer and Information
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• v.27 no.4
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• pp.99-110
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• 2022

This study attempted to develop a bodice prototype that is the basis for the production of upper body clothing for 20s plus-size women who have distinct characteristics from women with general body types. Through this, it was intended to provide basic data necessary for the development of plus-size women's clothing, which is revitalizing the market due to the increase in the obese population. Through the first evaluation of appearance and abdominal pressure, patterns such as moving the side neck, adding the amount of armhole dart, and adding the amount of sagging were modified. Through the second evaluation, corrections such as vertical side lines, reduction of the neck of the back center line, and adding the amount of armhole darts were performed. Through the third evaluation, the final pattern drafting method was developed by vertically modifying the side line and adding the amount of back armhole darts. In the case of 20s plus-size female body types, a drafting method distinguished from the general body type was required in the method of setting the side and hem due to the protrusion of the abdomen. This study can be said to be meaningful in that it proposed a bodice prototype drafting method suitable for the body type of 20s plus-size women. In the follow-up study, it is thought that the wearability should be evaluated through actual garment wearing.

• Journal of the Korean Society of Clothing and Textiles
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• v.40 no.5
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• pp.830-843
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• 2016

The world wide increase of obesity and demands for various plus-size fashion are expanding the global plus-size fashion market. This study is to understand the market status of the US (the biggest plus-size fashion market) as well as analyze women's fashion shown in power blogs on the plus-size fashion trend. For research methods, photos from the top 10 globally ranked plus-size power blogs on Alexa.com were collected and divided into 5 plus-size body types based on: design factors, style, color, item, and texture. Pants with tops or completed outfits including pants, tops, and outer were the most common for casual styles; in addition, a tendency to pursue comfortable and naturally fitted clothes was also indicated. As for colors, the most common were blue colors and white or pastel toned colors; in addition, soft, hard, and transparent were all evenly used for materials. One-piece items were the most popular formal style that were mostly a one-tone color made with hard materials indicated by the pursuit of the fanciness and formality of a dress for a formal occasion. Black was the most common color, and the color variation was less diverse compared to that of casual styles. The most common for semi-formal styles were outfits with movability and more fanciness such as wearing a casual outer on top of a formal one-piece. When examining the fashion in plus-size blogs, there are differences in the frequency of design factors due to the diversity of body-types; in addition, different items were shown to be preferred in accordance with styles. The results of this study will help fashion companies who want to enter the global plus-size women's fashion market (including the US market); in addition, research on plus-size fashion that is changing the fashion and aesthetic paradigm is expected to contribute to academia.

• Journal of the Korea Fashion and Costume Design Association
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• v.25 no.3
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• pp.17-29
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• 2023

This study collected and analyzed reference information on the size labeling method and size of clothing products in 13 online shopping malls for plus size women in their 20s and 30s, and compared the size specification information focusing on jeans. First, in the results of examining the method of clothing size designation, clothing sizes indicated by 1, 2, 3 or physique designation (M, L, XL) differed between shopping malls, and even in the same shopping mall, even if the same size notation was used. Most the clothing sizes were different depending on the type of clothing. For bottoms, it was found that one company used seven size designation methods at the same time, two shopping malls used four size designation methods, and five shopping malls used three size designation methods. In the meantime, in the results of comparing the size specifications of jeans XL (size 88, 32 inches) by product part, for waist and hip circumferences, each of the eight companies showed that the size was smaller than the body size suggested by KS adult women's wear.