Older Women’s Clothing Fit and Style Concerns and Their Attitudes Toward the Use of 3D Body Scanning

Abstract

The research explores older women's clothing fit and style concerns and their attitudes toward 3D body scanning. A film of the 3D body scanning process was developed as an information source and shown to groups of older women prior to collecting survey and focus group data in 10 different community centers and living facilities in four Midwestern U.S. states. Clothing fit was the most important consideration to participants in making apparel purchasing decisions. Participants addressed the difficulty in finding clothing that fits their body shapes and styles that are appropriate for the aging body. Participants' preferences for using 3D body scanning in the future were also examined. Focus group participants expressed greatest willingness to use 3D body scanning for pattern development services. Future research needs to address older consumer acceptance of emerging technology applications for clothing customization and selection.