Improving Comfort in Clothing

Wear comfort has been listed as the most important property of clothing demanded by users and consumers according to recent studies. A fundamental understanding of human comfort and a knowledge of how to design textiles and garments to maximise comfort for the wearer is therefore essential in the clothing industry. Improving comfort in clothing reviews the latest developments in the manufacturing of comfortable apparel and discusses methods of improving it in various articles of clothing.The book begins by outlining the fundamentals of human comfort in clothing, from the human perception of comfort in apparel and factors which affect it such as the properties of fibres and fabrics, to laboratory testing, analysing and predicting of the comfort properties of textiles. Part two discusses methods of improving comfort in apparel, from controlling thermal comfort and managing moisture, to enhancing body movement comfort in various garments. Part three reviews methods of improving comfort whilst maintaining function in specific types of clothing such as protective garments, sports wear and cold weather clothingThe international team of contributors to Improving comfort in clothing has produced a unique overview of numerous aspects of clothing comfort, provides an excellent resource for researchers and designers in the clothing industry. It will also be beneficial for academics researching wear comfort. - Reviews the latest developments in the manufacturing of comfortable apparel and discusses methods of improving fit in various articles of clothing - An overview of how to design textiles and garments to maximise comfort begins with factors affecting comfort and properties of fibres and fabrics that contribute to human comfort - Improvements in thermal and tactile comfort and moisture management are explored featuring developments in textile surfaces

Contributor contact details Woodhead Publishing Series in Textiles Preface Part I: Fundamentals of comfort and assessment Chapter 1: Factors affecting comfort: human physiology and the role of clothing Abstract: 1.1 Definition of comfort 1.2 Human physiological aspect of comfort 1.3 Energy metabolism and physical work 1.4 Human heat balance 1.5 Clothing as near environment 1.6 Various aspects of clothing comfort 1.7 Comfort variables 1.8 Effective temperature and the comfort chart 1.9 Response to extreme temperature 1.10 Development of heat stress and its control 1.11 Protective clothing 1.12 Future trends and further information and advice Chapter 2: Properties of fibers and fabrics that contribute to human comfort Abstract: 2.1 Introduction 2.2 Comfort properties of fibers 2.3 Physical modification of fibers 2.4 Comfort properties of yarns 2.5 Comfort properties of fabric structures 2.6 Conclusions Chapter 3: Wool and garment comfort Abstract: 3.1 Introduction 3.2 Wool quality 3.3 Benchmarking: wool quality in retail garments 3.4 Comfort in wool garments: a new assessment protocol 3.5 Wool garment comfort assessment 3.6 Comfort response of individuals 3.7 Wool quality and garment comfort 3.8 Conclusions 3.9 Sources of further information and advice 3.10 Acknowledgments Chapter 4: How consumers perceive comfort in apparel Abstract: 4.1 Introduction 4.2 How humans sense comfort 4.3 The Nervous System 4.4 Human brain 4.5 Skin and its functions 4.6 Structure of the skin 4.7 Senses and sensory receptors 4.8 Skin and senses 4.9 Sensations and fabrics 4.10 Psychological factors and overall comfort perception 4.11 Conclusions Chapter 5: Laboratory measurement of thermo-physiological comfort Abstract: 5.1 Introduction 5.2 Thermo-physiological comfort 5.3 Thermal resistance 5.4 Water vapour transport 5.5 Air permeability 5.6 Wicking, buffering and absorbency 5.7 New developments and future trends Chapter 6: Testing, analyzing and predicting the comfort properties of textiles Abstract: 6.1 Introduction 6.2 Characterization of comfort 6.3 Testing, analyzing and predicting neurophysiological comfort 6.4 Testing, analyzing and predicting thermophysiological comfort 6.5 Design-oriented comfort model 6.6 Future trends Part II: Improving comfort in apparel Chapter 7: Improving thermal comfort in apparel Abstract: 7.1 Introduction 7.2 Different approaches for improving the thermal comfort of clothing 7.3 Conclusions Chapter 8: Improving moisture management in apparel Abstract: 8.1 Introduction 8.2 Transport of perspiration 8.3 Fundamentals of moisture transfer between the human body and the environment 8.4 Factors influencing moisture transport 8.5 Improving moisture transport 8.6 Clothing requirements for different environmental conditions 8.7 Developments in moisture management 8.8 Future trends Chapter 9: Improving tactile comfort in fabrics and clothing Abstract: 9.1 Introduction 9.2 Comfort and neurophysiology 9.3 Human tactile sensation 9.4 Fabric mechanical properties and tactile-pressure sensations 9.5 Warmth or coolness to the touch of fabrics 9.6 Improving the textile surface properties for tactile sensation 9.7 Predictability of sensory comfort 9.8 Improving electrostatic propensity 9.9 Future trends 9.10 Conclusions Chapter 10: Garment pattern design and comfort Abstract: 10.1 Introduction: fundamental principles of fit in apparel 10.2 Clothing comfort and fit 10.3 Manual and mechanical stretch testing Results 10.4 Stretch pattern development 10.5 Future trends 10.6 Conclusions 10.7 Sources of further information and advice Chapter 11: Improving body movement comfort in apparel Abstract: 11.1 Introduction: fundamental principles of movement in apparel 11.2 Fashion and functional apparel: aesthetics, protection, performance and movement 11.3 Materials and design strategies to provide appropriate movement performance 11.4 Movement and garment stretch/pressure/compression 11.