Apparel Sizing As it Relates to Women Age Sixty-five Plus

Abstract

The purposes of this study were (a) to compare body measurements of women 65 years of age or older to body measurements listed for commercial basic patterns and Voluntary Product Standard PS 42-70 and (b) to produce computerized basic patterns from these 65-plus measurements and to compare them with commercial basic patterns. Participants were 104 volunteer, ambulatory women, age 65 years or older, residing in residential housing or life-care communities in Texas. Vertical and horizontal body measurements were taken from a computerized Body Graph Measuring Device placed on the participant. Sample computerized patterns were drafted for sizes in which five or more participants were included. Findings showed differences between the measurements of the sample and the measurements ofPS 42-70 and commercial basic apparel patterns. Due to the variation of the body measurements and diversity ofposture of the 65-plus woman, needed adjustments were not confined to vertical and horizontal measurements but included adjustments for additional curvatures of the body.