Page 88 - Anthropometry, Apparel Sizing and Design

Developing apparel sizing system using anthropometric data 117

manufacturer understands that there is a need to accommodate most of their customers
with a high-coverage sizing system.
Sizing system development began decades ago using only simple bivariate
methods. As time went on the sizing systems evolved to incorporate many highly
intelligent methods such as data mining, neural networks, and SOM (Ng et al.,
2007). This was made possible by the experience of >70years of exploring and under-
standing how to develop sizing systems that are efficient for manufacturers, cus-
tomers, and retailers. It is amazing that the study of sizing systems is still ongoing
today—it seems that the study of anthropometric data, sizing systems, and size des-
ignations never stops (Otieno et al., 2016; Yang et al., 2015). Many discoveries have
been made, and the weaknesses of different sizing systems are being discussed to
develop new methods as old methods become obsolete. It is anticipated that newer
sizing systems using newer advanced analysis techniques will produce better and bet-
ter sizing systems resulting in a greater goodness of fit for clothing customers
(Hsu et al., 2010).
Moreover, researchers are still actively searching for ways in which to improve the
efficiency of clothing sizing systems, many of which lie in the improvement of sizing
validation. The key efficiencies lie between the accommodation rate and size roll.
New advanced intelligent techniques are being applied to produce better sizing sys-
tems with higher accommodation rates and lower size rolls. New methodology like
artificial neural networks and genetic algorithms is some of the intelligent machine
learning techniques that may prove useful in creating a predictive model for finding
the right sizes for the right body shapes (Adu-Boakye et al., 2012). This is very impor-
tant to garment manufacturers, as a better model means that they can produce fewer
sizes and still accommodate a majority of the population. This would yield tremen-
dous benefits for both consumers and retailers, since such a model satisfies both
parties.
Lastly the global issues of today have taken a toll on the whole concept of
manufacturing garments. With the initiative of the sustainable development goals
from UN, we are moving towards a better world. Most of the countries in the world
are already realizing the concept of “sustainable fashion” or “ethical fashion.” In driv-
ing towards this initiative, sizing system development is considered one of the most
important agenda for every country if we are adopting the concept of ethical fashion.
Understanding the body size and shapes of one nation will result to developing the
right sizing system to ensure the garment fits the body well and thus will reduce
the wastage of fabrics. Wastage of fabric can happen because the sizes that we develop
for different master blocks are not based on the anthropometric data. Thus the gar-
ments will need alterations, and more fabric wastage will be produced
(Adu-Boakye et al., 2012; Naveed et al., 2018).

4.9.1 The importance of fit and sizing system
Commercial market trends indicate that consumers today expect better fitting prod-
ucts and sizing systems that address niche market needs (Yang et al., 2015).
A garment that catches your eyes in the store may seem like a good choice to you