Garment Sizing Technology

Size UK conducted a national sizing survey, measuring 11,000 women and men using body-scanning technology to capture and extract the size, shape and specific measurements of each individual participant.

Size UK is in collaboration between the UK Government, leading academics and technology companies, and 17 major retailers including the Arcadia Group, Bhs, Debenhams, John Lewis Partnership, Marks and Spencer, Monsoon Accessorize, Oasis Stores and Tesco Stores.

The survey itself was the first national conducted since the 1950’s, using body scanners to capture and analyse the shape of the UK population for the very first time. The men and women participants were scanned in two stances; standing and seating, in order to provide an accurate measurement on the size and shape of the body. Trials have already shown that the technology of body scanners is a more reliable method than traditional measuring techniques.

In regards to retailers, the website www.size.org, explains the commercial benefits of using an electronic scanning method to gain measurements, which are:

• Improving sizing and fit.
• Optimize the efficiency of your size charts.
• Maximize the percentage of your target customer profile that can fit your clothes.
• Increase sales by understanding the demand in certain size categories, e.g. Outsize, petite.
• Reduce size related returns.
• Improve buying ratios and size allocation to retail branches.

 As a result to these benefits and the accuracy in measurements provided by the technology, clothing retailers are already in the process or have updated their garment specifications and size charts to ensure garments correctly fit the body shape of their target customers.