Page 352 - Anthropometry, Apparel Sizing and Design

Sizing and fit for pressure garments 345

Table 13.5 Groups of knitted materials for compression garments
Pressure
Compression range
group (kPa) Application M comp
I 0.4–1.3 Permissible pressure for comfortable daily 20–65
garments. A pressure <0.4kPa is
considered negligible and is not taken
into account
II 1.3–2.0 Critical pressure for comfortable casual 65–100
wear
III 2.0–3.3 Permissible pressure for medical garments 100–165
and shapewear
IV More 3.3 Critical pressure for medical and 165 and
shapewear for daily use (corsets, strong more
regulation of lymph flow disorders, etc.)

A material can have different modules of compression ability along the warp and
weft. Knowing both modules, it’s possible to cut the pressure garments in different
directions in accordance with desirable effects, garment structure, human body
morphology, etc.

13.5 Sizing system for pressure garment

13.5.1 Garment labeling
Different styles of garments and different manufacturers have a variety of sets of size/
type systems for the human morphology of the populations of different countries and
regions. Besides, the different regions have different categories and types of pressure
garment distributions, but the general methods of pattern block drafting and labeling
are similar (Qiming and Wenbin, 2003; Koszewska, 2004; Hong et al., 2006; Zhe and
Kuzmichev, 2017, 2019). These systems were designed to meet the physical charac-
teristics of most people with lower production costs, by reducing the number of gar-
ment sizes to satisfy the body characteristics of most people. As usual, these systems
are good for the garments produced by pattern blocks with positive ease allowances,
when the sizes of ready-to-wear clothes are bigger than the body measurements in
total cases.
There are various size charts for women’s and men’s top and pants (underwear),
girdles, socks, etc. using different sizing systems for each category. In the market,
the labeling of pressure garments is the same for common garments, but the real sizes
are smaller for the needs of fit and compression.
For the top of pressure garments, which cover the torso, the size charts usually
are based on the letters “S, M…” or values “46, 48…” (Europe), “36, 38…” (US),