Decremental Analysis of Plus-size Women: Pant Drafting and Grading Implications

Abstract

<p>Two reasons that plus-size pants fit badly are: (1) the apparel industry assumes a single body shape for blocks and (2) simplified grading systems. The purpose of the study was to: determine the efficacy of a pant pattern drafting method and grading rules. Plus-size women were recruited for a longitudinal body scanning study. The participants came back for a follow-up scan after 10 pounds of weight-loss. Front and back pants were drafted for each scan. Eight women had usable scan pairs. Most of the pants did not allow for darts to be placed in one or both waists. No participants lost weight symmetrically, thus, a simplified grading system is not appropriate. Six of the participant's pant drafts had shifts in the pants inseams following weight loss. Results produced implications in: pattern drafting, grading, and body scanning. New assumptions which address body shape need to be formulated for plus-sizes.</p>