Professional women active commuters: apparel design criteria

Abstract

The purpose of this research study was to identify the design criteria for professional women's active commuter apparel. Six professional women active commuters living in Minneapolis, Minnesota were interviewed. The women rode their bike and/or walked to their professional work environment. The participants where physically fit and adhered to a business casual dress code at their place of employment. The interviews were audio recorded, transcribed, and coded. The clothing comfort model and activity theory was used as a guideline to analyze the data. Emergent themes revealed that their physical and psychological comfort levels affected the participants' apparel requirements. The study produced the following categories that established the professional women active commuter design criteria: sustainability, financial, health, fabric, fit, aesthetics, air temperature, safety, and peer group affiliations.