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Apparel size designation and labeling 133

5.3.1.1 Difference in height according to ethnicity and age groups

Faust and Carrier’s (2009) research found differences between the average size and
shapes of White Caucasian American, African American, Hispano-American, and
Asian American. While almost 50% of White Caucasian American and African Amer-
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ican height measurement is between 5 4 (164cm) and 5 7 (173cm), this percentage
drops to only 25% for Hispano-American and Asian American. Although when
looking at what is commonly called petite (<5 4 or again 164cm), the percentage
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of these last two rises to 71% for Hispano-Americans and to close to 70% for Asian
Americans compared with only 3% for African Americans. Without any doubts, Afri-
can Americans are on average the tallest. Another interesting difference clearly
appeared between age groups. According to this previous study (Faust and Carrier,
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2009), it seems that 65% of the women 66years old and over are shorter than 5 4
(164cm). This number drops to 55% for those 56–65years old, to 49% for those
46–55years old, to 47% for those 36–45years old, and to 45% for women between
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18 and 35years old. On the other hand, tall, which here refers to 5 7 (173cm) and
more, is in higher percentage in younger women, and it decreases as the age group
increases. Table 5.2 summarizes these numbers.
Since there is a high correlation within heights and because there are differences
between ethnicities, it appears interesting to show the most common inseam heights
per ethnicities and age groups. The most common inseam measurement varies
between 27in. (68cm) and 31.5in. (80cm). More specifically, one could argue that
an African American’s pants inseam should be longer than those for an Asian.
Referring to Table 5.3 an average inseam length of 30in. (76cm) should satisfy
50% of each ethnic group (Caucasian, Hispano, and Asian). Moreover, one could
argue that another 20% of them would just need to have the inseam altered so it could
suit them. In those cases a small alteration would be needed; on the other hand, this
inseam length would serve <40% of the African American population. To satisfy a
large group of African Americans, as a target market, one would need to offer longer
pants legs. A similar phenomenon appears for different age groups where the most
common inseam measurement varies between 27 (68cm) and 31.5in. (80cm). More
specifically, one could argue here that youngsters’ pants inseam should be longer that
those for more mature aged women. An average inseam length of 30in. (76cm) should
satisfy over 40% of each age group. Again, one could argue that another 15%–20% of
them would just need to have the inseam altered so it could suit them. However, this
percentage varies when looking at the 18–25years old, whereas the majority would
need pants with longer inseams.

5.3.1.2 Difference in girth measurements according to ethnicity
and age groups

The same analysis was done with girth measurements. When comparing the sample
used for US size, the tendency of the waist and hip measurements appears to be dif-
ferent according to ethnicity. Fig. 5.2 shows waist and hip measurements for each eth-
nicity and its average as discussed before.