In the world of fashion design, particularly in the realms of lingerie and swimwear, a garment's success relies on more than just its appearance on the rack. Wear testing is a critical phase in the garment development process, offering invaluable insights into durability, fit, and the wearer’s overall experience in the garment.
Today, we’re exploring the basics of wear-testing garments, reviewing various aspects from washing and wearing to evaluating pilling and stitch tension. We'll also address common issues discovered during wear tests and the importance of testing across different sizes and body types.
The Importance of Wear Testing Garments BEFORE Launch:
Wear testing is like the ultimate real-world trial for your garments. It's where the rubber meets the road, or rather, where the fabric meets the skin. Through wear testing, designers can assess:
Durability and Quality 💪: How does the garment hold up after multiple washes? Does it retain its color, shape, and overall structural integrity?
Fit and Comfort 😌: Is the garment comfortable to wear for extended periods? Does it fit well across all intended sizes? Does the fit look consistent across the size range?
Functionality 🏊♀️: Functionality is paramount in lingerie and swimwear. Does the garment support and move as it should? Does it work for its intended purpose?
Fabric Stretch and Recovery 🧶: Assess how well the fabric returns to its original shape after being stretched and worn on the body. This is especially important for swimwear and lingerie, which require a good balance of flexibility and support.
Seam Strength and Comfort 🧵: Check if the seams hold up under normal wear and movement. Seams should not only be strong but also comfortable against the skin, without causing irritation or chafing.
Moisture-Wicking and Breathability 💦: For activewear or swimwear, it's important to test how the fabric manages moisture. Does it wick away sweat effectively? Does it dry quickly after getting wet?
Color Bleeding and Transfer 🎨: Evaluate if the colors bleed when washed, especially when mixed with other clothing, or if color transfers occur when the garment rubs against other fabrics while being worn, whether wet or dry.
Odor Resistance 👃: For materials with odor-resistant properties, wear tests should include checking if the garment retains smells after use and normal laundering.
Thermal Comfort 🔥: For certain types of lingerie and swimwear, you may want to check how the garment regulates body temperature. Does it keep the wearer too warm or cool?
Clasp and Closure Durability 🤐: For garments with clasps, zippers, or other closures, test their durability and ease of use. Do they hold up under stress and remain functional after multiple uses?
Rings and Slider Usage and Discoloring 🔗: Can you effectively use the rings and sliders on the garment? Do they discolor, tarnish, or rust after repeated washing and use?
Elasticity Endurance 📏: For lingerie and swimwear, you want to test the elasticity of waistbands and straps over extended wear and after washing. Do the elastics and rubbers break down quickly?
Garment Weight and Drape 👗: Assess how the fabric's weight feels on the body and how it drapes. This can impact the garment's comfort and aesthetic appeal.
Sunlight and Chlorine Resistance 🌞: For swimwear, it’s important to test how the fabric reacts to prolonged exposure to sunlight and chlorine, which can affect color fastness and material integrity.
Layering Compatibility 👚: Check lingerie's ability to layer under different types of clothing. Look for visibility lines, bulging, or discomfort when worn under other garments.
Environmental Impact After Washing ♻️: If sustainability is a brand claim or concern, assess how the garment impacts the environment after washing, such as microfiber shedding. This is harder to do with in-home testing, but depending on your value proposition, it may be worth the effort.
How to Conduct Effective Garment Wear Tests:
Routine Wear and Wash 🧺: Instruct wear testers to use the garment as they typically would in their daily life. This includes regular washing and drying to simulate standard use. You may want to assign some people to machine wash and dry while suggesting others line dry to see the difference in appearance; the same can be said for machine washing and handwashing.
Assessing Fit and Feel 🖐️: Testers should note the fit at first wear and after several uses. Pay attention to any changes in fit or comfort level over time. You want to call out the big areas where they may want to pay closer attention to such as the waistband, leg opening, and necklines. Anywhere that shrinkage may come into effect is a good place to consider watching.
Observing Durability 🔍: Look for signs of wear and tear, such as loose threads, fading colors, and fabric pilling. How quickly do these issues appear, if at all? If you notice things like this, it’s a good idea to document them with photographs as soon as you notice them and note the round of wearing that you noticed on. After that, pay attention to the area and see if it changes over more wears and if it’s still functional and wearable.
Evaluating Stitch Tension 🪡: Check if the stitches hold up under stress or if they lead to discomfort or garment distortion. Notice if any stitches sound like they’ve broken or cracked during the wear tests. Sometimes ‘broken’ stitches aren’t actually broken at all — often there are basting stitches that need to be cracked in order to fit and feel comfortable on the body. That said, if you notice the stitches unraveling or a hole forming, that is something to take good note of in your wear testing.
Documentation 📸: Have the wearer take photos and notes at regular intervals throughout the wear testing process to capture the garment's performance over time. Start with images of the garment right out of the packaging, then continue to document after the first wear and after several uses and washes. Testers should focus on:
Overall Appearance: Front, back, and side views for a holistic visual record.
Detail Shots: Document any discoloration, ripped seams, fabric snags, missing buttons, and issues with heat seal or care labels.
Problem Areas: Highlight any areas showing early signs of wear, such as fabric pilling or seam strain.
Encourage testers to note their immediate impressions, any changes in fit, signs of wear, or comfort issues as they occur. Recording these details at 1x, 5x, 10x, 15x, 20x, and further intervals if needed will provide a comprehensive view of the garment’s durability and functionality.
How to Respond to Wear Test Findings:
If issues arise during wear testing, it's crucial to address them promptly:
Identify and Analyze Problems 📈: Is the problem related to fabric choice, design, or construction? Is it specific to just one size and could it be a sewing error? Evaluating on a case-by-case basis is necessary; you don’t want to over-correct something that was a one-off issue.
Make Necessary Adjustments 🛠️: This may involve selecting a more durable fabric, altering the design for better fit, or adjusting stitch tension for comfort.
Conduct Further Testing 🔬: If major changes are apparent and you drastically change the garment construction, fabric, or other details, it's essential to conduct another round of wear testing to ensure the problem has been effectively resolved. If the changes are more minor, you might opt for a more brief wear test to try and see if the problem is replicated.
The Role of Diverse Body Types in Wear Testing:
Wear testing isn't just about testing a garment in one size or on one body type. It's crucial to:
Test Across Sizes 👯♀️: Ensure the garment performs well in all sizes in the range. The fit and comfort should be consistent across the size range.
Evaluate on Different Body Types ⭐: Observe how the garment looks and feels on various body shapes. This can reveal specific adjustments needed for particular body types and tell you which body shapes the garment is best suited for.
Assessing Fit Across Sizes 👗: Different body shapes can highlight how a garment adapts to various curves and contours. This ensures that the fit is comfortable and flattering across the entire size range, not just for a standard model size.
Durability in Different Stress Areas 💪: Various body types put stress on different parts of a garment. For instance, areas that might stretch more on a fuller figure, like seams around the hips or chest, can be tested for durability and elasticity.
Evaluating Coverage and Support 👙: For lingerie and swimwear, it's crucial to see how designs provide coverage and support for different bust sizes, waistlines, and hip shapes. What works for a smaller bust might not provide adequate support for a larger one, and vice versa.
Identifying Potential Issues with Grading 📏: Sometimes, designs that look great in smaller sizes might not translate well when scaled up. Testing across sizes helps identify and rectify these scaling issues.
Comfort and Movement 💃: Different body types move differently. Wear testing with diverse sizes can reveal if a garment restricts movement or causes discomfort in certain positions or activities that might not be apparent with a standard size model.
Assessing Elasticity and Stretch Recovery 🔄: Different body shapes and sizes stretch materials differently. This testing ensures that fabrics return to their original shape after being stretched and do not become baggy or lose form.
Feedback on Aesthetics for Different Sizes ✨: A design might be aesthetically pleasing on one body type but not on another. Diverse wear testers can provide feedback on the overall look and style across the size spectrum.
Gauge True Versatility of Designs 🛍️: Testing across a range of body types can help determine whether a design is genuinely versatile and inclusive or only caters to a specific body type.
Understanding Chafing, High-Friction, and Irritation Points 🚫: Different bodies might experience chafing or irritation in different areas due to factors like friction, seam placement, or material texture.
Testing Undergarments with Various Outer Garments 👚: Seeing how lingerie interacts with various clothing styles worn by diverse body types can provide insights into visibility, lines, comfort, and practicality.
Market Representation 🌍: It ensures that the product has been tested and approved by a demographic that accurately represents the target market.
Wear testing is a non-negotiable step in the journey of a garment from concept to consumer. It provides critical insights that can make or break the success of your product. By rigorously testing for durability, fit, comfort, and functionality and by being ready to make necessary adjustments, designers can ensure their creations look good and stand the test of time and a variety of body types. Remember, the ultimate goal is to create garments that customers will love to wear repeatedly, and wear testing is your key to achieving this.
Have you ever been part of a wear testing process, or do you have insights to share from your own experiences? We’d love to hear your stories and tips in the comments below!
Comments