Comparative study of moisture adaptable breast support using engineered fabric design in seamless knitted sports bras
Research Journal of Textile and Apparel
ISSN: 1560-6074
Article publication date: 28 March 2022
Issue publication date: 18 January 2024
Abstract
Purpose
This study aims to investigate if engineered compression variations using moisture-responsive knitted fabric design can improve breast support in seamless knitted sports bras.
Design/methodology/approach
An experimental approach was used to integrate a novel moisture-responsive fabric panel into a seamless knitted bra, and the resulting compression variability in dry versus wet conditions were compared with those of a control bra. Air permeability and elongation testing of between breasts fabric panels was conducted in dry and wet conditions, followed by three-dimensional body scanning of eight human participants wearing the two bras in similar conditions. Questionnaires were used to evaluate perceived comfort and breast support of both bras in both conditions.
Findings
Air permeability test results showed that the novel panel had the highest variance between dry and wet conditions, confirming its moisture-responsive design, and increased its elongation coefficient in both wale and course directions in wet condition. There were significant main effects of bra type and body location on breast compression measurements. Breast circumferences in the novel bra were significantly larger than in the control bra condition. The significant two-way interaction between bra type and moisture condition showed that the control bra lost compressive power in wet condition, whereas the novel bra became more compressive when wet. Changes in compression were confirmed by participants’ perception of tighter straps and drier breast comfort.
Originality/value
These findings add to the limited scientific knowledge of moisture adaptive bra design using engineered knitted fabrics via advanced manufacturing technologies, with possible applications beyond sports bras, such as bras for breast surgery recovering patients.
Keywords
Acknowledgements
The authors would like to acknowledge graduate students Katie Ellis and Catherine Harty for their contribution to this study.
Funding: University of Delaware, Unidel- HensWEAR Pilot Grant.
Citation
Gorea, A., Dorie, A. and Hall, M.L. (2024), "Comparative study of moisture adaptable breast support using engineered fabric design in seamless knitted sports bras", Research Journal of Textile and Apparel, Vol. 28 No. 1, pp. 48-66. https://doi.org/10.1108/RJTA-08-2021-0109
Publisher
:Emerald Publishing Limited
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