• Journal of the Korean Society of Costume
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• v.50 no.3
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• pp.87-104
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• 2000

The women's apparel sizing system, currently used in the Korean industry, does not reflect measurement differences associated with varying body types and age. Forty five body meaqsurements were taken on 560 subjects, whoes eages ranged from 18-24. STatistical analysis of the data was coducted by using frequences, crosstables, correlation, oneway ANOVA, Regressio analysis. The results of this study were as follow. 1. Average height of women in their early 20's is 160cm, average bust girth 82cm, average hip girth 90cm and average drop 809. The correlation between height and grth items were low and the correlation of length items in the superior and inferior body were shown to bo high respectively. 2. The average Rhrer index is 1.28 and they ussually seem to be in the thin and standard body group. 3. body types were divided by differences between hip and bust sizes. N type(medium hip), A type (large hip), H type(small hip). A classification by body type showed that N type made up 58% while a type made up 24%. 4. The garment sizes for women in their early 20's were developed. 5. The new basic blocks and garment sizes for women in their early 20's were developed as follows : Bust girth (1/2) = 76N, 76A, 79A type($\frac{1}{2}$B+ 4cm) 79N type($\frac{1}{2}$B+ 3.5cm) 82N, 85N type ($\frac{1}{2}$B +3cm) Hip girth($\frac{1}{2}$) =N type($\frac{1}{2}$H + 2~2.5cm) Atype($\frac{1}{2}$H +1.5~2cm) Waist girth($\frac{1}{2}$)=$\frac{1}{2}$W + 2-3cm Back length =extimated measure -0.5cm Front length=76A, N (Back length + 2.2cm) 79A, N(back length +2.7cm) 82N(Back length +3.2cm) 85N(Back length + 3.7cm) Sleeve length=Sleeve length +3cm.

• Fashion & Textile Research Journal
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• v.22 no.3
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• pp.271-286
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• 2020

This study evaluated designs via the consumers' function and design preferences survey for using product design images, virtual avatar wearing images and product explanations that identified consumers' function and design preferences for knee protection pads as well as to develop movement assistive knee pad designs. We developed Design A for men and Design B for women. For Design A, the front of the knee supports muscles and alleviates pain with a hole. Mesh material with good ventilation was applied to enhance wearing comfort. The color was achromatic for a modern style, and the hook fastener and loops enabled easy wear and removal of the pad while controlling size and pressure strength. For Design B, taping details seamlessly support muscles in the knee area with fabrics less than 0.1 cm thick and with long sleeves in the diverse sizes. The design's satisfaction assessment showed that potential consumers were satisfied with Design A and Design B for overall design and functional features. Over 77% wanted to use/wear and purchase designs; in addition, over 78% expected it would help with walking and relieve knee pain. The results can be helpful for designers when deciding designs for manufacturing and commercializing kneepad products.

• 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.

• Journal of the Korean Society of Clothing and Textiles
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• v.19 no.6
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• pp.1027-1039
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• 1995

Clothing fitness is strongly required in the apparel industry, and draping is an effective tool to increase fitness to the wearers. A more sophisticated and systematic information of the somatotype, accordingly, is necessary for better cress form design. This study was performed to provide fundamental data on middle aged women's upper torso for dress form designers and pattern makers by classifying the somatotype based on each individual's lateral view, and analyzing the characteristics of their somatotype. Data were analyzed by factor analysis, cluster analysis, analysis of variance. Factor analysis was used to 23 items from photometric measurment and cluster analysis was applied for classification of upper torso forms. Through cluster analysis using 5 factor scores, 3 somatotypes were categorized from th lateral view 1) Type I was straight somatotype in which the plumb line passes throught the lobe of the ear, the shoulder joing and the mid abdominal region laterally. This type of woman was slender and shorter than average. 2) Type II was bending somatotype in which the upper portion of upper torso is bent forward. This type of woman was taller and fatter than average. 3) Type III was swayback somatotype in which the upper portion of protruding point on the back is bent forward but the lower portion of protruding point had characteristic of turning over somatotype. This type of woman had storter length on the front and longer lenght on the back, slender type and flat chest.

• Fashion & Textile Research Journal
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• v.26 no.1
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• pp.44-54
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• 2024

In this study, the sizing systems of 40 unisex sweatshirt brands were analyzed to collect the size information needed to produce unisex clothing. Each size specification was compared with the body size distribution and percentiles of men and women aged 18 to 29. Depending on the brand, unisex sweatshirt sizes ranged from 1 to 8. Despite being unisex apparel, three brands offered only one or two sizes. Out of the brands surveyed, 50% were found to offer four or five sizes. Out of the 40 brands, 25 used letters such as "S," "M," and "L" to indicate the size designation. More than 92.5% of the brands included M and L, and the sizing system tended to focus on larger sizes such as XL and 2XL rather than smaller sizes such as XS and S. The size specifications of shoulder width, chest circumference, sleeve length, and total length were compared with the body size distribution and percentiles of men and women aged 18 to 29. The distribution of each size specification mostly appeared in a section larger than the men's body size. The size specifications of unisex sweatshirts were set close to or larger than men's sizes and hardly represented women's sizes. To increase consumer satisfaction with unisex clothing, establishing a size standard that could accurately reflect the body size distribution of men and women was found to be imperative. Such a size standard could also help each brand specify or diversify its target and differentiate itself with other brands.

• The Research Journal of the Costume Culture
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• v.8 no.6
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• pp.899-914
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• 2000

The purpose of the study was to provide the actual data for designing adaptive dresses for the disabled elderly. In order to get the data, we had 3 parts of the procedure as follows ; 1. The survey of 205 nursing-care providers who take care of the disabled elderly in 1999. 2. Measuring 10 measurements of 80 disabled men and women each, 160 samples. 3. On the basis of data above, developing the adaptive dresses and doing the wearing-tests of those. The results are as follows ; 1. The most popular style for the disabled elderly in nursing facilities was non-collar pajama's. Specially, pajama style was needed for the disabled elderly being sick in bed, one-piece style was required for the disabled eldery with dementia. And the most desirable fabric function was a physiological comfortability. The most proper price required was about 20,000 won. 2. As Korean apparel industry use K.S. sizing system, we decided to use the same measurement to categorize the samples, bust and height. And according to the frequency in the size chart, we suggested the production size for the disabled eldery men and women. 3. After developing these adaptive dresses, the results of wearing-tests showed two kinds of problems. One was that of the sleeve length ; Actually, for the disabled elderly, the longer than the production size is the better for them. The other problem was revealed from subsidiay materials, fasteners.

• The International Journal of Costume Culture
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• v.13 no.2
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• pp.154-159
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• 2010

Various decorative patterns and sculptures found in antique architectures like palace architecture and temple architecture are not only valuable assets of our culture but have religious meaning at the same time and show aesthetic aspiration and desire of Korean people. In this study, potential application of patterns in textile industry is suggested based on the reconstructed and patternized geometric patterns of window grids, a decorative element in architecture, and stair and stair somaetdol, a architectural element in Buddhist temples, using Photoshop and Illustrator program of Adobe INC AND Tex-pro program of Youngwoo CNI INC. All around the world today, efforts to reinterpret unique and antique architectures and cultural assets in a modern way has been increasing. Decorative patterns displayed in Buddhist temple architectures which are antique Korean architectures have excellent geometric aesthetic value. And the development potential of patternizing these elements into modern designs is high. Therefore, it is thought to be possible to develop high value-added fabric and to develop various fashion items including apparel and interior decoration based on modern reinterpretation of patterns of window grid and decorative elements of stairs and stair somaetol that are part of our antique architectures.

• Journal of Fashion Business
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• v.3 no.4
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• pp.67-81
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• 1999

Fashion designers and fashion merchandisers are the experts who play critical roles in the apparel industry. But their job turnover rate is quite high compared with other industries and/or other positions. The purpose of the study was to investigate the level and the major causes of job stress, and the causes of the high rate of job turnover of fashion merchandisers and fashion designers. The study also compared differences between the levels of job stress, job results and job turnover rate which perceived by fashion designers and fashion merchandisers. The results of the study were as follows: 1. The designers felt more role conflict than merchandisers during job and feel more job stress about career development and their income. 2. The designers feel their job achievement more positively than merchandisers. 3. The designers have their turnover intentions more frequently than merchandisers. This study, on the basis of the above conclusion, is expected to contribute to make fashion merchandisers and fashion designers recognize the importance of managing their job stress and their supervisor obtain the directions for the efficient management of personnel by offering them better working environment.

• Fashion & Textile Research Journal
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• v.16 no.5
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• pp.776-784
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• 2014

KS K 0051(2009) was established in 1990 and revised in 1994, 1999, 2004 and 2009. Recently the structure of apparel production and distribution are changing like as small quantity batch production, increase of importing abroad apparel and increase of on-line shopping mall. Based on Social and economic conditions, examine the potential for use of KS K 0051(2009) standard sizing system for female adult's garments are needed. Through which, it was intended to suggestion for the revision of standard sizing system for female adult's garments which can facilitate communication among consumer, producer and sellers. The improvement point was discussed through review of the current KS K 0051 (2009) and abroad standard sizing system for female adult's garments, ISO 3637(1977), ISO 4416(1981), BS EN 13402-2(2002), BS EN 13402-3(2004), JIS L 4005(2001) and GB/T 1335.2(2008). Also, the revision of standard sizing system for female adult's garments was suggested using data of 6th Size Korea. As a result of this study, in the revision, formal wear, casual wear, training wear and under wear were separated to simplify the classification and the classification of body type were excluded. Also, it is possible that size designation was simplified through optional notation and letter code based on bust girth could be marked together in casual wear.

• The International Journal of Costume Culture
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• v.2 no.1
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• pp.31-42
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• 1999

The category killer that has been rapidly growing mainly in advanced countries since early 1990's, is a mew distribution model which aims for obtaining market controlling power by surpassing competing businesses in a specific area of products. The domestic situation of category killers is very different from that of advanced ones abroad since it has just been introduced into the Korean market. At the moment, there are only 10 or so companies operating in the market : Geopyung's , Taeheng's , Midopa's , of Sinsegye Department store, adn of Yerim International. The purpose of this study is to examine problems of domestic companies in the present market by analysing the operation status of category killers in domestic markets as well as foreign ones, and to suggest a counter-strategy of category killers for the distribution environment of the 21st century to improve the competitiveness of Korean distribution industry. The competitiveness of category killers lies above all in products lines. Category killers are equipped with the greatest number of products lines among those of competing businesses due to maximized product selections in an limited range. Another source of competitiveness may be found in balanced strategy positioning. That is to say, category killers are in a position where they can adjust policies towards any of the three purposes while aiming at them altogether : prices of discount stores, products range of specialty stores, and customer service level of department stores. It is also necessary for efficient store operation to use information technology such as electronic data interchange (EDI), electronic pose system(EPOS) and electronic funds transfer (EFTPOS). As for the cost structure, category killers can gain an advantage over other business since operating cost of various sections can be saved. There are, however, certain risks that category killers with strong competitiveness may influence on other businesses a great deal and even facilitate their decline. Yet it seems that the growth of category killers will be more viciously restrained by continuous challenges from other businesses. The distribution industry is supposed to develop through such competition and restraint.