Weight Loss and the Resulting Fit and Size Change of Ready‐ to‐Wear for American Women

The body dimensions of 85 female members of a weight loss salon who had lost 4‐20 pounds were compared to PS 42–70, Body Measurements for the Sizing of Women's Patterns and Apparel (U.S. Dept. of Commerce, 1971) standard size dimensions before and after weight loss. The subjects were classified into fat pattern types to determine any differences occurring in patterns of dimensional change at specific body sites. A relation appeared to exist between a sub ject's fat pattern type and dimensional change at body sites. Weight loss does not guarantee im provement in the fit of ready‐to‐wear. The majority of women in this study would have difficulty finding a fit in ready‐to‐wear apparel sized with PS 42–70 either before or after weight loss.