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Author Julia Wilfling, George Havenith, Margherita Raccuglia & Simon Hodder |
| Abstract Consumers are the driving force behind innovations in sportswear. Their demand for supportive and performance enhancing sportswear is increasing. The requirement for comfort in sports garments is fundamental, but its multifactorial nature makes it difficult to easily define. Whilst literature commonly gives a division of comfort in terms of psychological, physical (sensorial/tactile) and physiological comfort there is hardly a definition of clothing comfort from a consumer’s perspective. Within the sports garment’s development the choice of fabric is an integral part and has effects on the overall appearance and performance. Sports garments are manufactured from a combination of natural and synthetic fibres in knitted or woven materials. Product information labels and webpages state fibre contents and are used to identify the composition of the garment; however, consumers need knowledge of which properties are associated with the product attributes. This study explored factors contributing to the clothing comfort concept from a consumer perspective. Priorities of attributes contributing to the concept varied according to the person’s sex. Females put more emphasis on garment fit, whereas males prioritised physiological comfort descriptors. A conceptualised feel in regard to commonly known textile materials taking sex into consideration was identified. A preference for cotton fibres in females and for polyester fibres in males was found. For the apparel industry, information on product attributes from a consumer perspective is key for an effective product development. |