Effects of Design Elements and Styling Methods on Perceived Novelty in Retro Fashion

Retro fashion has gained renewed popularity among young consumers; however, the factors that generate a sense of novelty in contemporary retro fashion remain unclear. This study aims to clarify how design elements and styling methods influence perceived novelty using a Kansei engineering approach. Participants evaluated the perceived novelty of 10 fashion images using a seven-point semantic differential scale. Two surveys were conducted: the first involved participants aged from their 20s to 70s, and the second focused on female participants in their 20s and 50-60s to examine the relationship between perceived novelty and past experience. Statistical analyses revealed significant age-related differences in perceived novelty. In particular, participants in their 20s showed higher sensitivity to novelty than those in their 50s and 60s. Furthermore, silhouette, styling methods, and the combination of different fashion tastes were identified as key factors influencing perceived novelty. Notably, even when garment silhouettes were similar, differences in styling methods led to substantial changes in novelty evaluation. These results suggest that perceived novelty in retro fashion can be enhanced through styling and coordination without altering garment structure. This finding highlights the potential of styling-based approaches for sustainable fashion reuse and upcycling.