Developing a Standard Measurement to Produce Garments for Pear-Shaped Nigerian Women

Garment production and merchandising seasonally is major a money-spinning industry globally, particularly in the developed economies of the world. However, their major underpin is standardised anthropometric data base and sizing measurement system of the human anatomy which has given them the ability to mass produce trending garments seasonally. This study realising that Africa, most particularly Nigeria seems not to have any indigenous sizing system, but relies on western standard measurement which are largely diametrically at variance with our measures. This study has attempted to provide a standard fitting measurement chart, starting with the Nigerian pear-shaped women as case study. Two hundred and twenty-two women were measured to develop a size chart. The statistical package for social sciences data (SPSS) was employed for data imputing and analysis. Finally, the standard measurements developed from the analysis of the measurements of pear-shaped women, was used to draft patterns for selected garments designed and produced.