Type Of Garment Research Articles

Impact of Artificial Weathering on Swimwear Fabric

Lately, being physically active has become a priority of daily life. Despite that outdoor sports boost an individual’s mental and physical health, it also generates the problem of ultraviolet light exposure. Clothes provide the wearer protection from the sun, but they are also damaged while completing this task. Therefore, the impact of ultraviolet aging on swimwear fabric, which is the most exposed type of garment to the sunrays, was investigated in this study. Changes in breaking force, elongation at break, air permeability, fabric elasticity and stiffness, and dimensional characteristics were examined after 120 and 240 h of artificial weathering, together with scanning electron microscope (SEM) images and Fourier-Transform Infrared (FTIR) spectroscopy. The influence of seawater treatment was explored as well. The results presented that breaking force, elongation at break, fabric elasticity and stiffness, and air permeability were dramatically influenced by ultraviolet exposure. No chemical destruction was observed in FTIR spectra, while micro-damages were detected in SEM images. Furthermore, it was concluded that the main detrimental parameter was UV radiation, and the effect of seawater treatment was usually found to be minimal or not distinctive. Due to the limited number of research on the impact of UV aging on warp-knitted swimwear, this study is expected to contribute to the related literature.

Effect of the age of garments used under real-life conditions on microfibre release from polyester and cotton clothing

The release of microfibres from fabrics during laundering represents an important source of plastic and natural microfibres to aquatic environments. Garment age - how long the garment has been used - could be a key factor influencing the rate of release, yet most studies of microfibre shedding have only assessed newly manufactured products. To this end, we quantified microfibre release during laundering in domestic washing machines from polyester (PES) and cotton garments (n = 38) used in real-life conditions for periods between 1 and 31 years with different use intensities. In addition, to better understand the factors involved in microfibre releases, fibre composition (different PES percentages) and type of garments (T-shirts, polo shirts, uniforms, sports shirts, and sweatshirts) were examined. All garments released microfibres during washing, while the older garments presented higher releases for clothing with a PES/cotton blend. In general, older garments (15–31 years) released nearly twice as many fibres when washed than newer garments (1–10 years). The mass of microfibres released was consistently greater in garments with a higher proportion of cotton than PES (up to 1.774 mg g−1 in 2% PES and 0.366 mg g−1 in 100% PES fabrics), suggesting that cotton might be released more readily such that the relative proportion of PES in the garments could increase over time. Additionally, SEM images showed fibre damage, with fibres from the older garments exhibiting more peeling and splitting. While it is important to note that the overall environmental footprint is undoubtedly reduced by keeping garments in use for longer periods of time, older garments were shown to release more microfibres.

Dancers Show More Accurate Trunk-Pelvic Joint Angle Reproduction While Wearing a Jacket Augmented With Elastic Bands.

Purpose: The Backalast® compression jacket is intended to improve posture and proprioception of the trunk and shoulder girdle for dancers and dance students during dance training by way of elastic bands in the rear of the garment (which include bands enclosing the inferior thorax). This study was intended to investigate whether there is evidence to support those objectives. Materials and Methods: Fifteen dance students participated (4 male, mean age 19.9 ± 1.4 years old). The dependent variables of trunk-pelvis angle and proximity of trunk axis to global vertical for each participant were measured using optical motion capture before and after the completion of a series of trunk movements. The Helen Hayes model, which we used to represent the trunk, includes the shoulder girdles as part of the trunk. We compared the effect of the type of garment (Backalast® or control compression shirt) worn upon the 2 dependent variables, within-subject with paired t-tests. The order of whether Backalast® or control compression shirt was worn first was alternated between participants. Results: The pre/posttest difference in trunk proprioception as represented by the construct of ability to reproduce trunk-pelvis angle wearing the Backalast® was 0.8° ± 0.8°, but for the control shirt, the difference was 1.8° ± 1.4°, P = .03. The difference between garments in vertical trunk alignment, measured after the series of trunk movements, was not significant. Conclusion: Our findings suggest that the Backalast® can help enhance trunk proprioception when compared to the control compression shirt, although it did not change the angle at which the participants' held their trunks while standing erect (proximity to global vertical).

Theoretical and methodological foundations for forensic commodity examination of garment products

The examination of garment products is a popular type of forensic commodity expertise in proceedings related to the protection of the interests of Ukrainian producers, business entities in the sale and rental of garment products, as well as the investigation of offences related to export and import operations.
 Based on the study of the legislative framework for conducting forensic commodity research of garment products, as well as regulatory documents on the methodology for assessing the quality of garments for various purposes, the author states that there is still no unified list of control objects to be studied in the course of garment examination.
 The article is devoted to the problems of methodology for forensic commodity examination of garments. It has been established that the lack of unified terminology causes differences in the interpretation of methodological guidelines for conducting examinations and differences in the interpretation of research results. The fundamental differences between the purpose, composition of materials and market conditions of a particular type of garment can significantly affect the choice of research methods. In this regard, the article considers the nomenclature of objects of forensic commodity examination of garments, which makes it possible to streamline the expert’s actions in accordance with the specifics of the object of study. The nomenclature identifies the following groups of indicators for the examination of garments: compliance of the product and control label details with the requirements of regulatory documentation, correspondence of appearance, adequacy of the type of materials used for sewing the garment, safety of materials, quality of fit of the garment, quality of manufacture of the garment, correspondence of linear measurements to nominal values, and market value of identical (similar) goods.

Effect of Compression Garments on the Ventilatory Function After Abdominoplasty.

The use of compression garments in the postoperative period of abdominoplasty seems to be a consensus, but the incidents of complications arising from this have been described, related to an increase in intraabdominal pressure and reduction of the femoral vein blood flow that may facilitate thromboembolic events. There are no studies that have evaluated the isolated effect of postoperative compression garments on respiratory function. The purpose of this study was to evaluate the effect of compression garments on respiratory function after abdominoplasty. Thirty-four female patients who underwent standard abdominoplasty were divided into 2 groups, the garment group (n = 18) and the no garment group (n = 16). Respiratory function assessment (with spirometry and manovacuometry) was performed in the preoperative and postoperative periods. Forced vital capacity assessment revealed a greater ventilatory restriction in the garment group. Forced expiratory volume in 1 second (FEV1) showed differences between the evaluation time points in the garment group; the intergroup comparisons showed that the no garment group had a lower FEV1. Slow vital capacity was evaluated with no significant differences found on both intergroup comparisons. The inspiratory capacity was reduced in the garment group, representing ventilatory restriction. Measurements of the maximum inspiratory pressure showed no significant differences between the groups. The maximum expiratory pressure showed significantly lower values on postoperative day 7 in the garment group. The use of compression garments after abdominoplasty impairs ventilatory function. Not wearing this type of garment can improve ventilation, decreasing the risk of pulmonary complications.

Strategies of Recovery and Organic Recycling Used in Textile Waste Management.

Post-consumer bio-based textile wastes are any type of garment or household article made from manufactured bio-based textiles that the owner no longer needs and decides to discard. According to the hierarchy of waste management, post-consumer textile waste should be organically recycled. However, there is still a problem with the implementation of selective collection of textile waste followed by sorting, which would prepare the waste for organic recycling. A technically achievable strategy for sorted textile waste materials consisting of only one type of fiber material, multi-material textiles are a problem for recycling purposes. Waste textiles are composed of different materials, including natural as well as synthetic non-cellulosic fibers, making bioprocessing difficult. Various strategies for recovery of valuable polymers or monomers from textile waste, including concentrated and dilute acid hydrolysis, ionic liquids as well as enzymatic hydrolysis, have been discussed. One possible process for fiber recycling is fiber recovery. Fiber reclamation is extraction of fibers from textile waste and their reuse. To ensure that organic recycling is effective and that the degradation products of textile waste do not limit the quality and quantity of organic recycling products, bio-based textile waste should be biodegradable and compostable. Although waste textiles comprising a synthetic polymers fractions are considered a threat to the environment. However, their biodegradable part has great potential for production of biological products (e.g., ethanol and biogas, enzyme synthesis). A bio-based textile waste management system should promote the development and application of novel recycling techniques, such as further development of biochemical recycling processes and the textile waste should be preceded by recovery of non-biodegradable polymers to avoid contaminating the bioproducts with nano and microplastics.

Quantification and morphological characterization of microfibers emitted from textile washing

Microplastics are a subject of growing interest as they are a potential threat for living organisms. Textile microfibers (MFs) are an important microplastics sub-group that have been reported as a major source of microplastics release into the environment. This pollution occurs mainly during the washing of synthetic garments. However, standardized methods to quantify and characterize these MFs are scarce. This study proposes a new analytical protocol to characterize these MFs in number and size by means of filtration techniques, optical and electronic microscopy and automatic image post-processing. This approach was developed and validated on effluents from washing machines produced in different conditions (5 different garments, sequential cycles, and presence or not of detergent). Among the analyzed effluents, it was found that 40 to 75% of microfibers have a length comprised between 50 and 200 μm, with average microfiber diameters ranging from 8 to 17 μm depending on the type of textile. The emission range of microfibers was estimated to be between 220,000 to 2,820,000 microfibers per kg of textile depending on the type of garment and the washing conditions. The counting method developed is adapted to a certain range of textiles, such as 100% polyester fleece jackets (PET-1), 100% smooth polyester T-shirt (PET-2) and 100% acrylic sweater (PAN), and is not affected by the presence of detergent. The proposed method of characterization of these MFs lengths can also be extrapolated to the counting of other objects that have a similar morphology to the analyzed fibers. Hence, it can be helpful to develop new testing capture technologies and, thus, contribute to the enhancement of filtering techniques of several pollutants.

Dress for success: Embedded health sensors in the future soldier

LAY SUMMARY Clothes that remotely monitor the wearer’s heart rate, breathing rate, and other vital signs are becoming more available and reliable. The information obtained from these clothes could help military forces create more realistic and stressful training scenarios to better prepare soldiers for combat. It could also provide valuable information to medical personnel about wounded soldiers to help save lives. This study confirmed this type of garment was reliable and functional, and obtained accurate data when used in a military field training exercise by a reserve medical unit of the Canadian Armed Forces.

Effects of compression garment on muscular efficacy, proprioception, and recovery after exercise-induced muscle fatigue onset for people who exercise regularly.

Fatigue is a major cause of exercise-induced muscle damage (EIMD). Compression garments (CGs) can aid post-exercise recovery, therefore, this study explored the effects of CGs on muscular efficacy, proprioception, and recovery after exercise-induced muscle fatigue in people who exercise regularly. Twelve healthy participants who exercised regularly were enrolled in this study. Each participant completed an exercise-induced muscle fatigue test while wearing a randomly assigned lower-body CG or sports pants (SP); after at least 7 days, the participant repeated the test while wearing the other garment. The dependent variables were muscle efficacy, proprioception (displacements of center of pressure/COP, and absolute error), and fatigue recovery (muscle oxygen saturation/SmO2, deoxygenation and reoxygenation rate, and subjective muscle soreness). A two-way repeated measure analysis of variance was conducted to determine the effect of garment type. The results indicated that relative to SP use, CG use can promote muscle efficacy, proprioception in ML displacement of COP, and fatigue recovery. Higher deoxygenation and reoxygenation rates were observed with CG use than with SP use. For CG use, SmO2 quickly returned to baseline value after 10 min of rest and was maintained at a high level until after 1 h of rest, whereas for SP use, SmO2 increased with time after fatigue onset. ML displacement of COP quickly returned to baseline value after 10 min of rest and subsequently decreased until after 1 hour of rest. Relative to SP use, CG use was associated with a significantly lower ML displacement after 20 min of rest. In conclusion, proprioception and SmO2 recovery was achieved after 10 min of rest; however, at least 24 h may be required for recovery pertaining to muscle efficacy and soreness regardless of CG or SP use.

Compression Garments Reduce Soft Tissue Vibrations and Muscle Activations during Drop Jumps: An Accelerometry Evaluation.

Objectives: To explore the effects of wearing compression garments on joint mechanics, soft tissue vibration and muscle activities during drop jumps. Methods: Twelve healthy male athletes were recruited to execute drop jumps from heights of 30, 45 and 60 cm whilst wearing compression shorts (CS) and control shorts (CON). Sagittal plane kinematics, ground reaction forces, accelerations of the quadriceps femoris (QF), hamstrings (HM) and shoe heel-cup, and electromyography images of the rectus femoris (RF) and biceps femoris (BF) were collected. Results: Compared with wearing CON, wearing CS significantly reduced the QF peak acceleration at 45 and 60 cm and the HM peak acceleration at 30 cm. Wearing CS significantly increased the damping coefficient for QF and HM at 60 cm compared with wearing CON. Moreover, the peak transmissibility when wearing CS was significantly lower than that when wearing CON for all soft tissue compartments and heights, except for QF at 30 cm. Wearing CS reduced the RF activity during the pre-, post-, and eccentric activations for all heights and concentric activations at 45 cm; it also reduced the BF activity during post- and eccentric activations at 30 and 60 cm, respectively. The hip and knee joint moments and power or jump height were unaffected by the garment type. Conclusion: Applying external compression can reduce soft tissue vibrations without compromising neuromuscular performance during strenuous physical activities that involve exposure to impact-induced vibrations.

The knitting methods for seamless garments based on four-needle bed computerized flat machine

Seamless garments reducing the cutting and sewing processes are created using seamless knitting technology. This type of garment, being less dependent on labor, is knitted as a whole and makes a great contribution to improving production efficiency. More importantly, seamless garments are more comfortable and natural compared with those styles produced by traditional technology. However, the techniques of seamless garments are huge and complex, making the pattern design process more difficult. In addition, the seamless knitting technology has great restrictions to the styles with rich shapes due to the limitation of the devices. Therefore, how to knit more complex styles using seamless knitting technology still faces great challenges. For these reasons, this study extensively investigated the knitting principle of seamless garments and proposed six knitting models for different kinds of garments. Then the transformation methods from 3D style to 2D pattern were explored respectively based on the knitting characteristics of each model. Finally, by package programming in the SDS-ONE APEX design system, the actual knitting for six types of garments was conducted on the computerized flat knitting machine. The results showed that different types of seamless garments have significant differences in the pattern design and the approaches proposed above can make different kinds of garments using seamless knitting technology.

Fully Convolutional Graph Neural Networks for Parametric Virtual Try‐On

AbstractWe present a learning‐based approach for virtual try‐on applications based on a fully convolutional graph neural network. In contrast to existing data‐driven models, which are trained for a specific garment or mesh topology, our fully convolutional model can cope with a large family of garments, represented as parametric predefined 2D panels with arbitrary mesh topology, including long dresses, shirts, and tight tops. Under the hood, our novel geometric deep learning approach learns to drape 3D garments by decoupling the three different sources of deformations that condition the fit of clothing: garment type, target body shape, and material. Specifically, we first learn a regressor that predicts the 3D drape of the input parametric garment when worn by a mean body shape. Then, after a mesh topology optimization step where we generate a sufficient level of detail for the input garment type, we further deform the mesh to reproduce deformations caused by the target body shape. Finally, we predict fine‐scale details such as wrinkles that depend mostly on the garment material. We qualitatively and quantitatively demonstrate that our fully convolutional approach outperforms existing methods in terms of generalization capabilities and memory requirements, and therefore it opens the door to more general learning‐based models for virtual try‐on applications.

A case of elephantiasis nostras verrucosa treated successfully by a new type of compressive garment

Elephantiasis nostras verrucosa (ENV) is a clinical manifestation composed of hyperkeratotic, verrucous, and papillomatous lesions and dermal fibrosis, which complicate chronic lymphedema. There is currently no cure for ENV, however, several measures have been used to reduce lymphedema and the resultant pseudoepidermal hyperplasia. Supportive dressings and compression therapy still constitute an important part of the treatment. In this report, we present a 69-year-old male patient with ENV developed due to chronic lymphedema caused by venous insufficiency. After failure of healing with conventional two- and three-layered bandages, and elastic stockings, he was successfully treated by a new type of compression garment. We recommend this user friendly garment for prevention of frictional trauma, contact dermatitis, and secondary infection, which all may complicate compression treatments.

Compression hosiery for venous disorders and oedema: a question of balance

Compression therapy for venous and lymphatic conditions may be delivered via a range of treatment modalities using many different technologies, depending on the patient's condition and needs. Clinical decision-making relies on accurate assessment of the patient, their presenting and underlying clinical condition, skill and training of the applier and the available resources. However, changes in the patient's condition or lifestyle may necessitate re-evaluation of the treatment pathway. Generally, compression bandages and Velcro wraps are used in the intensive acute phase of treatment, with self-management using compression hosiery or wraps being used for long-term maintenance to prevent recurrence. Although guidelines recommend the highest class of compression hosiery for maximum effectiveness, clinical evidence shows practical challenges associated with application and tolerance of higher pressures and stiffness. An audit of a new type of compression garment was conducted, and it showed that incorporating stiffness into circular knitted hosiery helped overcome some of these challenges with improvements in limb size, skin softening and wound size. Additionally, self-management was facilitated by the ease of donning and doffing.

A study on contactless airborne transfer of textile fibres between different garments in small compact semi-enclosed spaces

Interpretation of fibre evidence at activity level requires extensive knowledge of all the possible transfer mechanisms that may explain the presence of fibres on a recipient surface of interest. Herein, we investigate a transfer method that has been largely understudied in previous literature: contactless transfer between garments through airborne travel. Volunteers were asked to wear UV-luminescent garments composed of different textile materials and situate themselves in a semi-enclosed space (elevator) for a pre-determined period of time with other participants, who wore non-luminescent recipient garments. The latter were then inspected for fibres using UV-luminescent photographic techniques. Results showed that contactless transfer between garments is possible. Indeed, a number of fibres were observed after most of the experiments. As many as 66 and 38 fibres were observed in the experiments involving cotton and polyester donor garments, compared to 2 and 1 fibres in those involving acrylic and wool donor garments, respectively. In this regard, the type of donor garment was found to be a significant factor. Multifactorial ANOVA supported these observations (p<0.001) and further indicated a statistically significant influence of elevator door opening/closing (p<0.001), people entering/exiting (p=0.078) and the recipient garment (p=0.030). Therefore, contactless transfer of fibres between garments can occur and can do so in (ostensibly) high numbers. This should be taken into consideration when interpreting fibre evidence at activity level and may have a major implication for the assignment of evidential values in some specific cases.

GD-StarGAN: Multi-domain image-to-image translation in garment design.

In the field of fashion design, designing garment image according to texture is actually changing the shape of texture image, and image-to-image translation based on Generative Adversarial Network (GAN) can do this well. This can help fashion designers save a lot of time and energy. GAN-based image-to-image translation has made great progress in recent years. One of the image-to-image translation models––StarGAN, has realized the function of multi-domain image-to-image translation by using only a single generator and a single discriminator. This paper details the use of StarGAN to complete the task of garment design. Users only need to input an image and a label for the garment type to generate garment images with the texture of the input image. However, it was found that the quality of the generated images is not satisfactory. Therefore, this paper introduces some improvements on the structure of the StarGAN generator and the loss function of StarGAN, and a model was obtained that can be better applied to garment design. It is called GD-StarGAN. This paper will demonstrate that GD-StarGAN is much better than StarGAN when it comes to garment design, especially in texture, by using a set of seven categories of garment datasets.

Waste not want not: Behavioural intentions toward garment life extension practices, the role of damage, brand and cost on textile disposal

Growing attention on the environmental and social impacts of the modern culture of consumption has highlighted garment disposal as a central area for concern. Fashion consumers are often said to overconsume, as well as frequently dispose of otherwise functional garments, for reasons of style and taste. To begin to move consumers toward a social manufacturing fashion model, consumer perceptions of garment value must be unpicked, by examining their use and disposal of surplus fashion products, and what factors prompt categorisation of items as suitable for garment life extension practises or final disposal. Unless the core constructs of consumer value perceptions in relation to these categorisations can be identified for target groups of consumer, there is little likelihood of methods of engagement with textile longevity actions being successfully promoted within these consumption groups. This study examines one group of heavy consumers of fashion: young, urban, South Koreans, and explores their behavioural intentions toward garment life extension practices. The research finds that used garment life extension is influenced overall by garment damage and perceived quality, as well as by garment type in some scenarios. Lifecycle assessment methods such as that presented in this research, when combined with demographic profiling, allow for targeted solutions that address the core complexities of fashion use and disposal within specific groups of consumers.

An active compression sleeve with variable pressure levels using a wire-fabric mechanism and a soft sensor

Compression garments are frequently used in daily life activities as well as in specialized fields, such as medical and sports sciences, to enhance bodily functions. However, conventional compression garments provide a fixed compression force to the body and can thus cause several side effects including discomfort, skin irritation, and loss of circulation when worn incorrectly. Development of a new type of compression garment that can control the compression force is required. This paper proposes a new sleeve-type compression garment that alters its compression force by employing a wire-fabric based mechanism. The proposed sleeve has several benefits compared with conventional methods. It not only is lightweight compared with those with pneumatic actuation but also can generate variable compression force by bidirectional driving of the tendons, which is not possible with other wire driving mechanism, such as shape memory alloy actuation. The proposed garment was manufactured by integrating two-layered fabrics with a soft pressure sensor, a wire actuation system, and a feedback controller. The performance was evaluated using three different experiments that tested the ability of varying and maintaining the compression force. This design can be employed in the field of compression garments and assistive devices to provide a means of applying an accurate and customized compression force to the body.

Longitudinal Evaluation of Pressure Applied by Custom Fabricated Garments Worn by Adult Burn Survivors

Custom fabricated pressure garments (PGs) are commonly used to prevent or treat hypertrophic scars (HSc) after burn injury. However, there is minimal scientific evidence quantifying pressure after standard measurement and fitting techniques. Adult burn survivors whose HSc was treated with PGs were recruited. Trained fitters, blinded to study locations and results, took the garment measures. Once the PGs arrived and were fitted, baseline pressure measures at HSc and normal skin (NS) sites were determined using the Pliance X® System. Pressure readings were repeated at 1, 2, and 3 months. The mean baseline pressure was 15.3 (SD 10.4) at HSc and 13.4 (SD 11.9) at NS sites. There was a significant reduction during the first month at both sites (P = .0002 HSc; P = .0002 NS). A multivariable linear regression mixed model, adjusting for garment type, baseline pressure, and repeated measures, revealed further reduction at HSc sites between 1 and 2 months (P = .03). By 3 months, the mean pressure reduced to 9.9 (SD 6.7) and 9.15 (SD 7.2) mm Hg at HSc and NS sites, respectively. At each time point, the pressure was higher at HSc compared with NS but was significantly different only at 1 month (P = .01). PGs were worn ≥12 hr/d 7 d/wk. PGs that apply 15 to 25 mm Hg pressure significantly improve HSc; however, immediately after fitting newly fabricated PGs, the average pressure was at the bottom of the recommended range and by 1 month was significantly below. Clinicians are likely underestimating the dosage required and the significant pressure loss within the first 2 months.

Method of Drape, Appearance and Comfort Measurements

Depending on the type of garment to be designed, designers, developers, and retailers are aware of and put forward certain requirements for the implementation of an appropriate level of quality. But ultimately the consumer is the one who decides whether the product meets his individual requirements. There are many different standardized textile testing methods, as well as various subjective assessment methods for hand feel and wearing comfort occurs. The observations that the analysis of a product has to be complex has become increasingly widespread. The aim of the research is to formalize and practically use the conceptual method of drape, appearance and comfort measurements.