Effects of Colors and Categories of Motifs on Evaluating Sensory Image of Fashion Fabrics

Abstract

The purpose of the study was to examine the effect of motif categories and motif colors on evaluating sensory image of fashion materials with the gestalt theory as the background. The research was conducted on a quasi experimental basis, with subjects numbering 187 male and 207 female college students. Data were collected in the period from march 19th to march 31st, 2007. A set of fabric stimuli and semantic differential scales were developed. The stimuli were thirteen fabric species(each measuring 12 by 13cm). Variables included; (a) motif colour(white, grey, pink and blue) (b) motif categories(plain, paisley, flower, stripes and zebra effect). The semantic differential scale to measure sensory image of fabric stimuli included 23 sets of bi-polar adjectives. The data were analysed by factor analysis and ANOVA and the major finding were as follows. 1) Four sensory dimensions emerged of importance: salience, attractiveness, comfort and softness. 2) The motif category effected on the four sensory image dimensions while the motif colour effected on salience, comfort and softness sensory dimensions. 3) An interaction effect was founded between motif category and motif colour. 4) Motif category showed significant effects on the preference and liking of the fashion, however the motif colour did not show any significant effects on the preference and liking. As a whole the results supported the gestalt theory and the results can be used for the marketing strategy for developing fashion fabrics.