Ease allowance and fit of selected female military upper garments
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Date
2013-07-19
Authors
Smit, Nicolene
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Abstract
This study was contracted by the African Warrior Project of the South African
National Defence Force (SANDF). The goal was to explore and describe fit in terms of ease of selected female military upper garments, namely the closely fitted dress jacket and the loosely fitted combat shirt issued by the SANDF. The objectives of this study were firstly, to determine and interpret the amount of tolerance that will comply with the functional requirements related to the activities and comfort of an optimum number of wearers and result in an aesthetically acceptable fit; secondly to analyse and interpret the suitability of the key dimensions used to determine the current size designation in terms of body shapes and gender; thirdly, to determine and interpret the relevance and the validity of the currently used sizing system with regard to representativeness of the current population's measurements. The findings
indicated that satisfaction with fit was influenced by fit preferences. Insufficient as well as excess case in a particular location resulted in discomfort or restricted
movement and an aesthetically unacceptable garment. Insufficient or excess ease at
one location impacted on the comfort experienced in another location on the same
horisontal level. Subjects wearing smaller sizes were satisfied with less ease than
plus-sized subjects wearing larger sizes. The key dimensions used for the dress
jacket and the combat shirt did not ensure sufficient ease at other locations. It was
therefore recommended to include the waist and hip dimensions as key dimensions in
the size designation to accommodate various body shapes and assist with size allocation. Garments for female wearers carmot be issued according to male body dimensions. The sizing system needs to be revised to represent the population's measurements.
Description
Thesis (M. Tech. (Fashion, Dept. of Visual Arts and Design)--Vaal University of Technology
Keywords
African Warrior Project, South African National Defence Force, Female military upper garments