For 1, standardize sizes.
Especially, when a 36 inch waist SHOULD be 36 inches no matter what.
However, a 36 inch of 1 brand will be too tight, while 36 inches of another brand will be too loose. Someone is not measuring 36 inches the same!
The other problem is standarizing sizes of S, M, L, XL, etc.....as these vary even more than actual measurements.
I still think it would be best to use actuals, say, 16 inch neck, vs 17 inch neck, and so on. Part of the problem with shirts, is that there are so many variations of proportions, on both men and women, and SMLXL doesnt work that well.
Someone might have a 17 inch neck, but a 52 inch belly, male. (like me). buying 17 inch necks kinda works, but what does that equate to on the SMLXL2XL scale? L is fine for my neck and shoulders, but the buttons barely stretch enough for my stomach. yet buying an XL makes the buttons fit, but then it is too loose in my shoulders and too long for the excess tucking into my pants waistline.
Similar problem for females, some ladies have breasts A size, and some are D size. I know women's clothing sizes are somehow to accommodate for more variations. but a women's size 0 (zero) is just unrealistic, as well as being non-descript. And one manufacture's size 7 is not the same as another manufacture's size 7.
Hence the reason that no one, male or female, usually knows what will fit right or look right til tried on, as manufacturers use the same "term" of measurements when in reality the measurements can be quite different.
A proper measurment system, such as a to-order system, should account for neck size, breast (f)/chest (m) size, and belly size, to get a much better fitting of clothes.
Tape measures, fiddling around with conversion tables and annoying attendants by swapping sizes in the changing room may soon be a thing of the past.
Scientists from Surrey University and designers based at the London College of Fashion say that new software could be used by shoppers to take precise waist, hip, chest and other body measurements in order to buy the best-fitting sizes in the future.
Using a smartphone’s camera and height as a starting point, the software creates a 3D replica of your body, estimating size at various points. The researchers believe this will be a more accurate representation of your proportions than traditional ’small/medium/large/XL’ labels.
Professor Adrian Hilton, from the University of Surrey, believes it is “unrealistic” to expect shoppers to take defined measurements for themselves, and this kind of technology could save retailers a fortune — as well as customers aggravation — spent due to returned items and the need to order the same garment multiple times, eventually making the supply chain more simplistic and potentially increasing efficiency.
The project, sponsored by the Engineering and Physical Sciences Research Council (EPSRC), is expected to be commercially available within the next two years.
“The potential benefits for the fashion industry and for shoppers are huge,” said Philip Delamore from the London College of Fashion. “Currently, it’s common for online shoppers to order two or three different sizes of the same item of clothing at the same time, as they’re unsure which one will fit best.”
Image credit: Eden Pictures
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