Sizing systems used by the apparel industry are not always accurately optimized to fit the majority of a specific population. One of the main problems to develop new patterns and grade to all sizes is the lack of updated anthropometrical data. Additionally, ‘vanity sizing’, where companies often adjust the measurement specifications for each size based on a sale strategy designed to make consumers, especially women, feel better about fitting into smaller sizes [1] [2] [3]. This and the lack of international common standards to size clothing contribute to difficult customers to find the correct size In this context, the Instituto Nacional de Consumo (INC) of the Spanish Ministry of Health, supported by the main Spanish companies of the apparel industry, proposed the Biomechanical Institute of Valencia to carry out an anthropometric study to characterize the morphology of the female population in Spain. The target sample of the national campaign was 10.141 women grouped into 10 age ranges from 12 to 70 years. The measurements were made in 61 different locations, representing the seven Spanish NUT areas (statistical territorial units defined by the European Community). Using a 3D body scanner (Vitus Smart from Vitronic), two scanning postures were registered for each subject. Weight measure and a socio-demographic survey including questions about apparel purchase habits were included in the measurement protocol. The sample was randomly selected based on the census of the population of each town and city, considering age as the control variable. The management of contacts and appointments of the selected users was guided by the Ministry of Health, and the participation was voluntary. The objective of this paper is to present the methodology of the national measurement campaign and the main results obtained from the preliminary analysis: anthropometric measures, morphotypes and their evolution with the age, which could be applied to improve the apparel fitting.
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