Design and Product Development

Wearers' Perceptions and Acceptance of Shoes Made with Eco-Friendly Materials

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Abstract

The purpose of this study was to assess wearers' perceptions and acceptance of sustainable shoes, comparing with commercial leather shoes. A total of 42 male subjects were participated in this experimental study and their responses were used for data analyses. A paired t-test was performed to examine whether there were significant mean differences between the sustainable shoes and leather shoes, in the following five dimensions: function, expression, aesthetics, mobility related with physical fit and comfort during wear trials, and wearers' acceptance. The findings demonstrated that the men's shoes made with the eco-layer material configuration, which can be a leather substitute, have the potential to attract young male consumers in the future. However, the sustainable shoes in this study still remained a lack of mobility related to fit and comfort. Suggestions for future research to enhance the mobility of sustainable shoes for providing better fit and comfort of wearers are discussed.

How to Cite:

Nam, C. & Lee, Y., (2018) “Wearers' Perceptions and Acceptance of Shoes Made with Eco-Friendly Materials”, International Textile and Apparel Association Annual Conference Proceedings 75(1).