Validation of the wearable acceptability range scale for smart apparel

The WEAR Scale has been a useful tool used in consumer behavior and product development research to better identify the social acceptance of wearable devices. We aimed to introduce an extended WEAR Scale to the apparel field by (a) refining existing measurement items and (b) validating this scale for use with smart apparel. A 4-factor, 15-item WEAR Scale validated for examining consumers' acceptance of smart apparel. The four WEAR dimensions are smart apparel in relation to: (a) design and aesthetics (four items); (b) self-expression (four items); (c) consequences (three items); and (d) reflection (four items). This scale will be useful for the practical application in the apparel industry by providing better understanding of various aspects that smart apparel should consider during the product design and development stage. The scale also can be integrated with other consumer behavioral concepts to develop an emerging theoretical framework for the studies on smart apparel.