Size and fit: Procedures in undertaking a survey of body measurements

This paper (which is the first of three) explains how to undertake an anthropometric survey, first, by reviewing previous surveys and size charts to select which measurements to take and the appropriate equipment. The sample of persons to be measured had to be determined, the main constraint being the availability of time. The selection of measurements was made for the end use of constructing garment patterns by both direct and proportional measurement systems. ‘Check’ measurements for accuracy were also built into the procedure. Finally 10 measurements were selected and 100 young women between the ages of 18 and 28 years were measured. It is concluded that measuring the human body is not easy. Hopefully new technology will improve this task. Twenty more body measurements will be brought into use, which will be explained in Part 2.