Fashion and Ergonomic Design: influence of biopsychosocial variables of perimenopause and menopause in the perception of women's clothing usability

Author(s)

Erica Pereira das Neves

• Document type: Master's Dissertation
• Press: Artes. 2016-02-02.
• Institution: Universidade Estadual Paulista (Unesp). Faculdade de Arquitetura. Artes. Comunicação e Design. Bauru
• Defense date: 2015-07-08
• Advisor: Luis Carlos Paschoarelli

Abstract

Strong dynamism and new trends characterize the fashion market. Added to this, the strengthening of consumer critical perspective, due to the easy access to the arising fashion and style information from around the world, further intensifies the issues related to the evolution of textile and clothing sector. Therefore, some companies of the sector search through the consumers and users segmentation the necessary adjustments to the success of their products. In an attempt to adapt to the new habits of consumption and experimentation of the fashion product, the companies and industries make use of differentiated and updated symbolic languages, and advanced technological resources. However, often the physical qualities of fashion products, especially clothing, can create conflict in relation to its interpretation e usability, once during its conception fase, the biophysical aspects of its specific users are not considered. As regards the female universe, the physical and emotional aspects of the aging process, specifically menopause may influence the perception of clothing usability. Considering this hypothesis, the present study aimed to identify whether the biopsychosocial variations and the plastic reconfigurations of the body of middle-aged women (and resources that these individuals use to deal with the psychosocial problems) influence the perception of clothing usability. To answer this question, a questionnaire was designed and applied considering some aspects such as: individual identification; physical and psychological characteristics; perception about the psychosocial changes resulting from menopause; subjective assessment in regard the physical, ergonomic and aesthetic characteristics of the clothing product currently found on the market; and the assessment of the importance of fashion product in body reconfiguration. It was observed, through the achieved results, that such biopsychosocial changes can influence the perception of middle-aged women in regard of the aspects of usability, as well as their emotional and subjective assessment regarding clothing. (AU)

• FAPESP's process: 13/11156-1 - Fashion and ergonomic design: the influence of biopsychosocial variables of the climateric and menopause on the perception of the women's clothing usability
• Grantee: Erica Pereira das Neves
• Support Opportunities: Scholarships in Brazil - Master