Design and Product Development

Inclusive Apparel Design for Baby Boomer Women

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Abstract

Growing older and dressing stylishly is often a problem, especially for women over the age of fifty who are interested in fashion. A disparity exists between how some older women would like to dress, what they feel is appropriate for their age, and the perceived options available in the U.S. market. The focus of this research was to expand apparel design strategies using an inclusive design framework to accommodate broader markets, particularly aging women and specifically to evaluate baby boomer women's clothing preferences through their fashion blogs. The information obtained from the blog data supports the need to expand apparel design strategies and suggests that using an inclusive design framework may help designers accommodate broader markets such as baby boomer women. This serves as a starting point in the development of apparel prototypes designed specifically to satisfy multiple needs without calling attention to special requirements.

How to Cite:

Starkey, S. & Parsons, J., (2016) “Inclusive Apparel Design for Baby Boomer Women”, International Textile and Apparel Association Annual Conference Proceedings 73(1).