SIZING IT RIGHT: A MOVE IN THE RIGHT DIRECTION
To research is being undertaken body size chart for Indians evelop a
Walking into a shopping mall and trying on clothes, only to realise nothing ever fits well be a mood spoiler. Size options ost stores are limited to the UK, r Euro chart, and there’s ing to cater to the Indian body s. But fret not, as that is about to ge. e National Institute of Fashion nology (NIFT), New Delhi, r the aegis of the Ministry of iles is undertaking an extensive ropometric research study to lop a comprehensive body size t for the Indian population. he India size survey will result e creation of size identification bers for customers through ping, categorisation and ing of their body size… Apart apparel, the findings of the y will also have applications ss various other industries, re the insights from this data produce ergonomically gned products,” says Upendra
Prasad Singh, Secretary, Ministry of Textiles.
The project approved by the government of India entails measuring more than 25,000 male and female persons between the age group of 15-65 years and above in six different cities located in six regions of India, using 3D whole-body scanners.
“The vision of this project is to undo the prevalent practice of using size charts, which are largely tweaked versions of size charts of other countries, resulting in fits that are a cause for concern. The project also envisions a reduced product return rate, which currently hovers in the range of 20-40% in the readyto-wear industry,” says Shantmanu, IAS, director general, NIFT.
Designer Namrata Joshipura says, “We have always followed UK and US sizes and have never had an Indian size. Indian body type is very different as compared to European and American counterparts. This seems like a push in the right direction for both designers and consumers. Our stores usually follow the standard sizing so I am very curious to know how this would pan out.”
The project is likely to be completed by December 2022. It will position India on a global platform among few other countries that have undertaken such surveys. The standardised body size chart for Indian apparel, which will be the outcome of this study, is deemed to be of tremendous value to the consumers as well as the manufacturing industries.