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Non-stigmatizing depictions of plus-size lovers of fashion are not easily found in traditional mass media, but in social media, fat fashion enthusiasts can readily be found. The purpose of this study was to investigate the little-studied phenomenon of plus-size YouTube content creators who make videos about fat fashion. To that end, thirteen individuals who wear plus-size women's apparel took part in semi-structured interviews. A major theme found in the data analysis was transgression. Interview participants were staunch advocates of breaking discriminatory, unspoken societal rules that constrained them, especially in relation to dress. Three subthemes were found in relation to transgression: visibility, representation and agency. Embracing visibility, as seen in interviewees' performance of fatness in public and in social media, may help to portray fatness as a human characteristic that is just as 'normal' as thinness. Serving as a positive role model to others was also embraced by participants, who hoped to assist their viewers in dealing with the consequences of living in the fatphobic US culture. The interviewees demonstrated and promoted agency through fashion, in marked contrast to their past experiences of being powerless and disparaged because of their size. Through celebration of mainstream, conforming fashion, the fat fashion vloggers are transgressive by joyfully wearing styles which previously were discouraged or often unavailable for plus-size consumers. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Purpose: The purposes of this study were twofold: (1) to develop a scale for measuring consumers' perceived problems of finding a good fit (PFGF) and (2) to provide evidence of several types of scale validities including nomological validity through examining the relationship between PFGF and body esteem based on attribution theory. Design/methodology/approach: Scale development took place in three steps: (1) An initial pool of items was generated based on a previous study; (2) preliminary quantitative tests of reliability and validity of items were performed, including confirmatory factor analyses (CFAs); and (3) final scale validation through a discriminant and nomological validity test was conducted using CFA and the structural equation model (SEM). CFAs and SEM with the mediation effect were performed using Preacher and Hayes' (2008) bootstrap procedure in Mplus. Findings: Of the 20 items (four items for physical, eight items for aesthetic and eight items for functional) generated in Step 1, a total of 14 items (four items for physical, five items for aesthetic and five items for functional) were remained through preliminary tests of reliability and validity of the scale in Step 2. In Step 3, the 14 items were finalized and validated through testing the hypothesized mediating effect of internal attribution of fit problems between the PFGF scale and the measures of body esteem. The results of consumers' internal causal attribution process of fit problems supported attribution theory. Originality/value: The study contributes to understanding consumer fit perceptions by developing a scale to assess PFGF that may be a key factor influencing multiple apparel shopping behaviors. The multidimensional scale of perceived PFGF should be useful to provide solutions to PFGF based on information from customers. Better understanding of perceived PFGF will ultimately increase consumer satisfaction with apparel. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Based on the life course perspective, this study used a mixed method approach to (1) arrive at a deeper understanding of body image in each of three adult life stages among older white women living in a Midwest state of the United States of America, (2) investigate how these women's body images have changed during aging, and (3) identify major life transitions affecting women's body image throughout the adult life span. This study used retrospective, self-reported data. Both open-ended and scale ratings questions were incorporated into the paper-based survey questionnaire. Older white women (n = 102) aged 65 to 94 years completed a survey questionnaire. Written responses to seven open-ended questions assessing the older women's past and current body images were analyzed, and 14 themes emerged. A quantitative scale of body satisfaction with five body attributes was included to provide a validity check with written responses. The women's body images significantly changed across the adult life span, reflecting different body concerns and evaluations at each life stage. This study revealed contrasting results to previous cross-generational comparisons which concluded that women's perceived level of body satisfaction remains stable through life. Many of the women expressed some degree of positive body image at all stages but became less satisfied with several aspects of their bodies as they aged, including aging appearance, decline in physical function, and several health problems. The study provided a general picture of white women's body image development throughout the adult life span. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Purpose: The purpose of the current study is to explore how valenced fit reviews affect the consumer decision-making process during online apparel shopping. Design/methodology/approach: A single factor (valence of fit review) within-subject experimental design was employed to examine how the valenced fit review (negative vs positive) affects the consumer online purchase decision process. A mock website was created to simulate the online shopping environment through four steps for developing a stimulus website for the main study. The data were analyzed using repeated multivariate analysis of variance and structural equation modeling. Findings: A total of 418 female consumers completed an online self-administrated survey. Results showed that positive fit review was more compelling than negative fit review for female consumers when they like the apparel product. Two aspects of information credibility (review and site credibility) and confidence in purchase decision evoked by both fit reviews and overall product information were significant determinants of the consumer purchase decision process in increasing consumers' future purchase intentions through attitude to the online retailer. Originality/value: The current study was an attempt to fill the gap in knowledge regarding the crucial role of fit reviews in apparel product purchase decisions in an online context. This study confirmed the type of fit reviews that would be influential on female consumers' online purchase decision-making process for apparel products when they liked the apparel product, supporting positive confirmation bias from the information processing point of view. This study contributed to the importance of the two concepts (i.e. credibility and confidence in the purchase decision) in online information processing and purchase decision-making process. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The purpose of this study was to explore why consumers wear and repair Patagonia brand apparel, thus extending the lifespan of the apparel beyond a typical period of consumption. Using a qualitative case study, we examined Patagonia's "Stories We Wear" blog posts from 2015 to 2017. Six emergent themes were identified as consumers' motivation to engage in sustainability practices of repairing and extending the use of Patagonia brand apparel. The findings indicate that the blog posts (a) supported brand attachment and (b) enhanced our understanding of consumer–object relations with apparel items. Recommendations for future research and businesses seeking to expand sustainability practices are provided. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Perceptions of clothing fit from young consumer perspective were explored to develop an understanding of how they think about dimensions that influence clothing fit and how fit relates to psychological and social experience. The qualitative-dominant mixed methods design included focus group interviews and a survey. Participants were 66 female and male college students. In quantitative responses, respondents reported being slightly satisfied with clothing fit in general. Five qualitative themes emerged as important to understanding fit perceptions: (1) physical fit, (2) aesthetic fit, and (3) functional fit that are relative to (4) social context and that have an impact on (5) social comfort. A conceptual model of fit satisfaction in a social context is proposed. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

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We explored the role that social support plays in the lives of women who have undergone bariatric surgery. We conducted in-depth interviews with 13 women who had had bariatric surgery (M age = 53.0 years) and analyzed the data using constant comparison processes. We found that individuals in participants’ lives offered support by acting as role models and providing information, offering empathy and expressions of concern and caring, assisting with everyday responsibilities, and serving as companions. In turn, these forms of support guided participants’ behavior, calmed their concerns, enhanced their self-esteem, relieved them of daily responsibilities, and offered them companionship in their bariatric journeys. Consistent with the existing theory, differently situated individuals specialized in offering particular types of support. Although participants appreciated the support received, many indicated a desire for more or “better” support, pointing to a need for resources guiding supporters in how to best offer support to bariatric patients. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Body satisfaction, largely ignored in studies of online shopping for body-involved products, was examined as an antecedent variable to the virtual product experience. The purpose of this study was to investigate how body satisfaction relates to the virtual product experience and attitudinal and behavioral intentions in the body-absent, online apparel shopping environment. Data were collected through a Web-based survey, and 403 female students from a Midwestern university in the U.S. responded. Findings from structural equation modeling showed that participants with higher body satisfaction tended to perceive more enjoyment of the virtual product experience in online apparel shopping, which helped them to facilitate more positive attitude toward products and increase online purchase intention. Results indicate that body satisfaction shapes enjoyment of the virtual product experience and leads to individual differences in online apparel shopping. Managerial implications to improve virtual product experience-related strategies in online apparel shopping are proposed. [ABSTRACT FROM PUBLISHER]

The purpose of this study was to develop scales to quantitatively measure the domain of concerns with fit and size of garments among young consumers (college students) in online shopping. Using an initial pool of items created through focus group interviews, a series of exploratory and confirmatory factor analyses were performed to finalize the pool of items and to establish the construct, discriminant, and criterion validity of the finalized measures and reliability of the dimensions. Consumers' concerns with fit and size of garments included multiple interrelated dimensions; five factors with 21 items were identified as the final sets of the scale. The dimensions include concerns with overall appearance, concerns with unavailability of size, concerns with projecting a correct impression, concerns with the inability to try on in online shopping, and concerns with imagining fit/size in online shopping. The scale developed in this study covers concerns with fit and size of garments among young female consumers. Therefore, the findings of this study may not be generalized to other consumer groups. Fit and size of garments is one of the main issues in apparel purchase decisions and the most important concern in online apparel shopping. Therefore, the findings of this study provide online apparel retailers with valuable insights into consumers' concerns with fit and size of garments, which will lead retailers to better merchandising and marketing strategies and allow them to influence consumers' perceptions and behaviors in online shopping environments. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The purpose of this study was to examine how multiple age identities-chronological, ideal, and feel ages-influence social comparison with media images, body satisfaction, and appearance self-discrepancy. Building on the possible selves theory that a closer approximation between chronological age and subjective ages-ideal age and feel age-occurs over time, a conceptual model was tested to identify individual variations of age identities and self-perceptions to body image across the life span. A convenience sample of 279 women between the ages of 30 and 80 years completed the survey at several women's philanthropic and social organizations. Findings indicated that ideal age, rather than chronological age and feel age, played a more important role in influencing participants' perceptions of body and social comparison as their age identities changed. The findings highlight the significance of multiple age identities in predicting social comparison behavior and body image among women across the life span. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Online consumers have the limitation of product experience and evaluation, due to the inability to directly experience the product, thereby increasing perceived risk of product performance. This study investigated the dimensions of product performance risk that relate to virtual product experience in online apparel shopping. Perceived risk theory was applied to explain consumers’ risk perceptions of product performance. Data were collected from 403 female college students at a Midwestern university using a web-based survey. Results indicate that online consumers perceived visual, tactile, and trial risks of product performance based on the evaluation of product attributes through virtual product experience. Visual, tactile, and trial risks may help online consumers determine more specific product performance characteristics related to product attributes. Attention to the three dimensions of product performance risk may allow online retailers to develop more differentiated virtual product experience strategies to reduce each dimensional risk of product performance in online apparel shopping. [ABSTRACT FROM PUBLISHER]

The research explores older women's clothing fit and style concerns and their attitudes toward 3D body scanning. A film of the 3D body scanning process was developed as an information source and shown to groups of older women prior to collecting survey and focus group data in 10 different community centers and living facilities in four Midwestern U.S. states. Clothing fit was the most important consideration to participants in making apparel purchasing decisions. Participants addressed the difficulty in finding clothing that fits their body shapes and styles that are appropriate for the aging body. Participants' preferences for using 3D body scanning in the future were also examined. Focus group participants expressed greatest willingness to use 3D body scanning for pattern development services. Future research needs to address older consumer acceptance of emerging technology applications for clothing customization and selection. [ABSTRACT FROM PUBLISHER]

The purposes of this study was to examine the relationships among body-related self-discrepancy, body dissatisfaction, apparel involvement, concerns with fit and size of garments, and purchase intentions based on self-discrepancy theory. A random sample of college female students (n = 348) was drawn from a Midwestern university. The data was collected using a web-based survey. A hypothesized model was tested using the SEM technique. The results indicated that consumers' perceived body-related self-discrepancy from online models had a direct relationship with body dissatisfaction. Consumers with higher enduring apparel involvement tended to feel a higher degree of body dissatisfaction. Body dissatisfaction was positively related to five concerns with fit and size of garment dimensions. Enduring apparel involvement was negatively related to concerns with overall appearance and concerns with imagining fit/size in online shopping. Finally, two of the concerns with fit and size of garment dimensions (concerns with overall appearance and concerns with imagining fit/size in online shopping) were negatively related to purchase intentions. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The purpose of this study was to examine the effects of the level of Internet retailer's service quality (IRSQ) on perceived apparel quality, perceived service quality, consumer value perception of apparel shopping, satisfaction with apparel shopping experience, and future behavioral intentions regarding apparel shopping with the Internet retailer. We also investigated interrelationships among these variables in both IRSQ levels. The quality-value-satisfaction model (Cronin, Brady, & Hult, 2000) was adopted and expanded to serve as a theoretical framework for this study. A convenience sample of 361 female college students in two U.S. regions participated in and provided usable responses to this experimental study. Multi-group analysis via a structural equation modeling technique revealed positive interrelationships between perceived apparel quality, perceived service quality, perceived value, satisfaction, and behavioral intentions. In addition, these interrelationships were stronger in higher IRSQ level, compared to the lower level. Implications and recommendations for future research are discussed. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

This study examines the relationship between age, body image, and women's proclivity to compare themselves with fashion models. A sample of 281 women between the ages of 30 and 80 participated in this study. Significant positive relationships between social comparison behavior and (a) appearance self-discrepancy and (b) the importance placed on achieving ideal appearance were found. A significant inverse relationship between social comparison behavior and body satisfaction was also observed. Participants older in age were found to be less likely to compare themselves with fashion models. However, the younger that participants felt they were, the more inclined they were to compare themselves with models. Participants who reported a larger difference between their ideal and actual age perceived more discrepancy between their ideal and actual appearance, were generally more dissatisfied with their body and appearance, and were more likely to compare themselves with fashion models. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Reasoned action theory is adapted to study the influence of body satisfaction and subjective norm (the role of others) on behavioral intention and behavior to change the body. Data are collected from 301 female undergraduate students. Causal model analyses are conducted by a maximum-likelihood estimation procedure using LISREL 8.72. Overall, fit of the model is highly adequate. Participants who have high body satisfaction scores are less likely to want to change their bodies. Participants who think that significant others (parents, siblings, and friends) want them to change their bodies and who are inclined to comply with those significant others are more likely to want to change their bodies. Participants with greater intention to change their bodies are more likely to try to change them. The results support reasoned action theory. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The purpose of the research was to longitudinally investigate rural consumers' online shopping for food and fiber products as a function of satisfaction with local retailing and outshopping. Innovation diffusion theory was used to guide the research. Eight hundred seventy-nine rural consumers from 11 states completed surveys twice (in 2000 and 2003). Data were analyzed using structural equation modeling and analyses of variance. Dissatisfaction with local retailing in 2000 was a powerful driver of outshopping, beliefs about online shopping, and online shopping (both in 2000 and in 2003). Outshopping was positively related to online shopping at both points in time, suggesting that variables found to affect outshopping in the literature may affect online shopping in a similar way. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The article discusses various reports published within the issue including one by Lynn Boorday and Jana Hawley on how the application of existing technology can revolutionize the style of the dress but also how the dress is made and another by Anne Marie Fiore on the concept of the digital consumer.

The article discusses various reports published within the issue including one by Eundeok Kim and Kim Johnson and another by Gwendolyn O'Neal.

Innovation diffusion theory guided research on the process of online apparel shopping adoption (i.e., changes in online shopping adoption) among rural consumers. Rural consumers in 11 states completed surveys in 2000 ( n = 2,198) and in 2003 (n = 879). Variables measured in 2000 were used to predict online apparel purchasing in 2003; structural equation modeling was used for data analysis and yielded satisfactory fit. Results revealed strong support for innovation diffusion theory: Previous practice and characteristics of the decision-making unit ( education, income, innovativeness) affected belief structures. Although beliefs about online shopping measured in 2000 did not affect online apparel shopping adoption in 2000, they did affect online apparel shopping adoption in 2003, demonstrating the dynamic nature of innovation diffusion. Characteristics of the decision-making unit (education, income) indirectly affected online apparel shopping via their influence on previous practice, which was the strongest predictor of online apparel purchasing in 2000 and 2003. General beliefs about the Internet and beliefs about the compatibility of online shopping with respondents' lifestyles predicted online apparel shopping in 2003, whereas beliefs about the benefits and advantages of online shopping did not. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Purpose—The research purpose was to identify whether changes occurred between 2000 and 2003 in the retail channel use of rural consumers for searching product information and for purchasing food and fiber products and to investigate whether differences existed between channel use groups (i.e. store only shoppers, store and catalog shoppers, and multi-channel shoppers) concerning perceived time property, satisfaction with local offerings, community attachment, shopping criteria, and financial security. Design/methodology/approach—Survey methodology was used. Questionnaires were mailed to participants living in non-metropolitan statistical areas of the USA with populations less than 12,500. In 2000, 2,198 participants returned the questionnaire. Follow-up questionnaires were mailed to the same participants during 2003 and returned by 847 participants. The analysis is based on the responses of the 847 participants. Findings—To search for information on apparel, food, or home furnishing products, internet use increased slightly as did use of the internet to purchase apparel and home furnishings. Multi-channel shoppers rated themselves as time-pressed, dissatisfied with local offerings, unattached to their community, and unconcerned with financial security while shopping. Practical implications—Rural consumers are slowly increasing their use of internet even as they report their satisfaction with shopping with local brick and mortar stores increased during the time period studied. The time is right for rural retailers to enhance both personal and professional relationships with their customers. Rural retailers can capitalize on consumer satisfaction and provide outstanding value and service to keep local customers in local markets. Originality/value—The paper provides information on new and different retailing practices that satisfy rural consumers in the USA. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The article offers information on a study that examined whether rural consumers have become more likely to use the Internet to search for product information and purchase home furnishings and furniture from 1999 to 2002. Specifically, the study determined whether the attitudes of rural consumers toward the use of the Internet have changed over time, analyzed whether their use of the Internet to search for information and purchase home-furnishings products would increase over time and ascertained whether age, gender, education and income would be related to such consumers' beliefs and/or actions about Internet shopping for home-furnishings products.

This study explored the utility of body-related behaviors, body attitudes, normative beliefs, and body mass index (BMI) in predicting perceptions of malleability and the utility of body attitude, subjective norms, perceptions of malleability, and BMI in predicting desires to change the body and attempts to change the body. Aquestionnaire was administered to undergraduates. Regression analyses suggested that female and male perceptions of malleability were predicted by attempts to change the body. Among females, body attitudes and normative beliefs about siblings and friends predicted perceptions of malleability. For both females andmales, adding perceptions of malleability to a regression model including body attitude and subjective norm increased the variance explained in desire and attempts to change the body. BMI did not predict perceptions of malleability, desire to change the body, or attempts to change the body. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The present study explored how European American women in midlife transition think about their changing bodies and related sociocultural discourses. The work was informed by theory that illuminates a process in which middle-aged individuals critically evaluate the meaning structures used to make sense of the world and self and transform these schemes for personal relevance. In-depth interviews were conducted with 20 women transitioning into their middle-aged years. Data were analyzed using constant comparison processes. Analyses revealed two major ideological adjustments in participants' thinking, including (a) the shift from an emphasis upon external to internal aspects of the self and (b) the questioning of dominant social discourses about the female body. Although these ideological shifts seemingly contributed to participants' acceptance of their bodies at midlife, participants also expressed ambivalence about their appearances and related social discourses. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

This interpretive study explores how mothers and their adolescent daughters respond to and interact about the body malleable ideology, or cultural discourses that normalize thinness and promote the body as changeable. In-depth interviews were conducted with 20 mothers and their daughters. Grounded theory analysis revealed two responses to the body malleable ideology—the acceptance or rejection of the body as a malleable object. Participants expressed ambivalence about this ideology and related cultural discourses. Further, through their interactions, mothers and daughters both constructed and deconstructed the ideology of a malleable body. Three patterns of dyadic experience were identified: Pattern A, in which both the mother and daughter accepted the body malleable ideology, Pattern B, in which both the mother and daughter rejected the body malleable ideology, and Pattern C, in which the mother rejected and the daughter accepted the body malleable ideology. In taking an in-depth look at the cases of three dyads, we explore defining characteristics of these patterns. We also present a grounded theory model developed to illustrate relationships discovered in this study. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The theory of reasoned action and components of a theory of innovation adoption were integrated into a model of consumer adoption of the Internet for apparel shopping. The hypothesized model included psychological factors (beliefs and attitude), social factors (social support and social acceptance), and prior experience to explain intention to purchase apparel via the Internet. A questionnaire was mailed to a random national sample of households. All hypothesized variables were significant. Prior experience with the Internet had the strongest influence on intention to purchase apparel through the Internet. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The purpose of our research was to assess beliefs' of small community consumers regarding use of the Internet for product acquisition. We applied a portion of Rogers's (1995) innovation diffusion model where he hypothesizes characteristics of an innovation (e.g., complexity, trialability) that facilitate or impede adoption. In addition, we were interested in whether these characteristics differed between small community purchasers and non-purchasers of innovations. Usable questionnaires were returned by 2,198 small community consumers. Data were analyzed using multivariate and univariate analyses of variance. Small community consumers who purchased through the Internet were more likely than non-purchasers to perceive Internet shopping as being relatively advantageous; more compatible with their values, beliefs, needs, and past experiences; less complex; more trialable; and more observable. Furthermore, small community consumers who were purchasers using the Internet perceived Internet shopping as less risky than did non-purchasers. The results were parallel across the three product categories of food, apparel, and home furnishing products. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The symbolic interaction theory of fashion proposed by Kaiser, Nagasawa, and Hutton (1995) suggests that, in the instance of transitional societal contexts, an increase in cultural ambivalence is reflected by an increase in the heterogeneity of appearance-modifying commodities that are offered in a capitalistic marketplace. This paper describes research that tested this relationship in the context of women's daytime clothing styles of the later nineteenth and early twentieth centuries. At this time, society's views on women's roles became increasingly ambivalent as women challenged the confines of Victorian domesticity. A visual analysis instrument was used to code women daytime ensembles as represented in 252 fashion illustrations from Harper's Bazar and The Delineator. Spearman rank correlation coefficient was used to test for heterogeneity or diversity trends in the time series data. Results supported the proposed positive relationship between ambivalence and heterogeneity in dress; specifically, fabrics in general and several bodice features showed increasing stylistic diversity as ambivalence about women's roles increased. In addition, data suggested that diversity was linked to ensemble layering and that shifting areas of diversity may have coincided with shifts in visual emphasis from the skirt to the bodice over the 40-year period. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The interpretive study reported in this article focused on the process by which mothers and daughters interact about body and dieting. In-depth interviews were conducted with 20 mothers and their adolescent daughters. Constant comparison analysis of data revealed four patterns of mother-daughter interaction about body and dieting: (a) the direct verbal approach, including encouragement/facilitation, dissuasion, and fault-finding messages; (b) the avoidance/guardedness approach; (c) the modeling approach; and (d) the laissez-faire approach. These four patterns of communication varied in terms of content and were used in different contexts and combinations. These mother-daughter interactions (a) were shaped by mothers' and daughters' thoughts about the self, the other, and the mother-daughter relationship; (b) were used by mothers and daughters to plan future interactions with one another; and (c) served to guide lines of personal action with respect to dieting, especially in the case of daughters. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

We describe the development of an instrument for visually analyzing women's daytime clothing styles as depicted in two women's fashion magazines. The Delineator and Harper's Bazar,from 1873 through 1912. The instrument was designed for a study examining relative changes in diversity among women's clothing styles over time. Measures used in previous visual analysis research are reviewed and ways in which these measures were adapted to the new instrument are explained. Instrument validity and methods used in the evaluation of reliability are discussed and findings are reported. Recommendations for further evaluation and uses of the instrument are included. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

This interpretive study focused on mothers' and their adolescent daughters' diet-related thoughts and behaviors and explored the possibility that daughters model their mothers' patterns. In-depth interviews were conducted with 20 mothers and their adolescent daughters. Grounded theory analysis revealed that mothers' diet-related experiences were complex, varying across the life span. Among daughters, three types of dieters emerged: nondieters; short-term, low-commitment dieters; and serious dieters. Both mothers and daughters distinguished between "going on a diet" and "watching what you eat." Mother and daughter dieting and watching patterns varied in terms of content, duration, and motive. Findings indicated that modeling effects alone cannot adequately explain diet-related patterns of mothers and their daughters. Intervening variables, such as a daughter's degree of identification with her mother or a mother's verbal reinforcement of a modeled attitude, may affect whether a child models a given maternal behavior. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The objectives of the study were to a) test the validity of Gaskill's (1992) Retail Product Development Model across a broader range of specialty stores and b) expand the model beyond line presentation to include events and considerations in post-adoption product development. Twenty-one men's, women's, and children's specialty store retailers deriving 70% to 100% of their sales from private label merchandise through in-house product development were compiled from current retail directories to serve as the sample. Data were collected with a qualitative telephone interview schedule and analyzed using descriptive analysis. Stages in the original model were confirmed; however, modifications were made based on new data. Expansion of the model to include post-adoption product development stages was also carried out. The end result was the development of a revised Retail Apparel Product Development Model. [ABSTRACT FROM PUBLISHER]

Deals with a study which examined whether the gender role orientation of divorced women is related to interest in work clothing and satisfaction with physical appearance. Divorced women's gender role orientation; Methodology; Results of the study.

In previous research of person perception and dress a wide array of measurement items often have been incorporated with little consideration of relationships among findings. The objective of the present qualitative meta-analysis was to find consistent themes among findings ofprevious research. The sources of data were 109 impression formation studies reported between 1943 and 1986; 869 significant findings in the studies related to dress and comprised the data. Four superordinate categories—Evaluation, Potency, Dynamism, and Quality of Thought-were tailor made to fit recurrent themes in the data and incorporated 93% of the previous findings. The parsimonious dimensions emerging from the content analysis could facilitate development of future research instruments and serve as a framework for interpretation offindings. In addition, research designs were examined for trends in inclusion of perceiver variables, context of stimulus persons, measurement approaches, and efforts at programmatic inquiry. [ABSTRACT FROM PUBLISHER]

To identify criteria considered by consumers while making garment purchase decisions, free response interviews of 80 female customers were conducted at point of purchase in two specialty apparel stores. Subjects described the criteria they used to evaluate a garment they had tried on. The most important criteria for apparel assessment were related to aesthetics. Comparison of responses of customers who purchased and customers who did not purchase their garments revealed that different criteria had primary effects in two stages of the purchase process. During the Interest phase, color/pattern, styling, and fabric were most critical in influencing selection of garments from the display racks. Fit, styling, and appearance on the body were more important in determining rejection or adoption of the garments during the Trial phase in the dressing rooms. The research begins to fulfill a need for store intercept data collection, study of free responses minimally shaped by the researcher, and development of theoretical models of the apparel purchase process. [ABSTRACT FROM PUBLISHER]

This study was an investigation of the effect of interpersonal context—similarities and contrasts in apparel worn by two interacting persons-upon person and relationship perception. Male and female employees of private businesses (N=64) describd what they thought was happening in four different pictures of office settings inwhich a male and female stimulus person each wore formal or informal business apparel. Verbal responses were categorized according to a system tailor-made to classify content of the descriptions. Analysis of variance of content distributions indicated that men and women wearing suuits were more often assigned management roles than were persons in casual attire. Contrasts in formal versus casual clothing were also meaningful in that 1) male and female persons wearing suits more often were described as higher in rank when their adjacent companion wore casual clothing; 2) men in suits wee described as giving more directive, rewarding, or punishing communications to women in casual dress; 3) men wearing suits were described as having more positive feelings when pictured with a casually dressed woman; 4) male persons were assigned more "activity" traits when pictured with a formally dressed woman; 5) dyads in which the man wore a suit and the woman wore casual clothing received more descriptions of involvement in personal versus business mattes. Clothing shown in the context of social interaction provided a much broader range of information than previously studied in dress perception research. [ABSTRACT FROM PUBLISHER]

Recent changes in women's business identities present an opportunity to explore the social meanings conveyed by, dress in a specific and changing context. Using a grounded theory approach, interview data from twenty-four business women were analyzed for recurrent themes. These women felt they could choose from a variety of dress images in order to express appropriate or socially acceptable meanings, including credibility and competence in business. A dynamic, mufti-dimensional model of the meanings comprising an "ideal" image for business women is proposed. These meanings include conservatism, fashion, masculinity,, femininity/sexuality, creativity, and conformity. The meanings are conceptualized as approximately opposing forces causing tensions, thus requiring conscious balancing by business women. Each meaning has are extreme which can endanger the credibility of the wearer. The balance of meanings is mediated by several contextual factors. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The purpose of this study was to explore differences in body satisfaction among female adolescents 14 to 18 years of age. Principal components analysis of a body cathexis measure completed by 751 high school cheerleaders indicated that six factors defined the adolescents' attitudes toward their bodies: satisfaction with the midsection and overall appearance, peripheral body parts, hair and face, mouth, hands, and height. An Age x Body Satisfaction multivariate analysis of variance (MANOVA) was conducted; a Bonferroni adjusted alpha of .007 was established for subsequent ANOVAs. Satisfaction with the mouth increased significantly as age increased, and a similar but nonsignificant trend was found for peripheral body parts. The findings contradict previous research reporting no age differences in the body satisfaction of adolescents. Role demands and physical maturation of the cheerleaders may explain differences based on age. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The preliminary study reported here explored meanings children attach to healthfulness and unhealthfulness. Focus groups were conducted to collect qualitative data on these topics from 64 children aged 5 to 12 years. Data were analyzed for key themes, and a model of children's logic about healthfulness and unhealthfulness was developed. Among participants, behavioral antecedents related to food intake, exercise participation, and hygiene habits were seen as linked to well-being and appearance outcomes. Findings point to a need for developmentally appropriate educational programming that underscores varied ways to lead a healthy lifestyle and promotes the healthfulness and beauty of diverse bodies. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]