Stepping out in the Right Size
The quest for the Indian size chart and INDIAsize project
India is the world’s largest democracy with more than 1.4 billion citizens who live in varied climates and follow different lifestyles that have resulted in diverse body shapes and therefore, a need for a distinct India Size. Presently, India models its apparel and footwear sizes along the lines of the US and UK size charts that are deficient in many ways to fulfil the requirements of Indian body type. In a step forward to ramify this anomaly and realise the full potential of the Prime Minister’s vision of Atmaribhar Bharat, The Ministry of Textiles has sanctioned the INDIAsize project.
What is the project all about?
The INDIAsize project is an initiative to develop standard body sizes for the Indian apparel sector to address the prevailing disparities and inconsistencies in the currently available fits that adhere to non-Indian standards. The humongous project entails gathering anthropometric data PAN-India from more than 25000 (Twenty-Five Thousand) male and female persons between the age group of 15 years and 65 years using human-safe 3D whole body scanning technology.
The project will help develop India-size body charts that will enable national and international retailers and manufacturers to produce goods best suited for the Indian body types and create a balance between demand and supply of well-fitted garments.
Apart from apparel, the findings of this study will have ramifications across various sectors such as automotive, aerospace, fitness & sports, arts, computer gaming, etc., where the insights from this data can produce ergonomically designed products that are well suited for the Indian population.
INDIAsize project is also a testimony of how the Indian Textile sector is embracing AI. The measurement technique in the INDIAsize survey will entail using human-safe, latest 3D whole-body scanning technology. This scanning system captures the full body of a participant in three dimensions within 10 seconds to extract accurate body measurements. The participant will be scanned in two postures in a specifically designed scan suit. The entire survey will be conducted through a Socio-Demographic questionnaire will be used to capture relevant data. More than 100 measurements will be collected per individual following ISO 8559 (Anthropometric definitions for body measurement) and some measurements of ISO 7250 ( Basic human body measurements for technological design). Other ISO standards followed are ISO 20685 (3D scanning methodologies for internationally compatible anthropometric databases).
How will it benefit the textile manufacturers and retailers?
INDIAsize project entails several benefits for the apparel sector. It will lead to a better understanding of the target population or consumer through a data-driven correlation of anthropometry and demographics. The industry will develop a fit philosophy through an improved understanding of body shapes and size set tables, thus providing better-fitting garments. It will also lead to lower market risks by optimising the efficiency of size charts by increasing the percentage of target consumers that would fit into the available sizes, hence increasing sales and customer satisfaction. INDIAsize will help the development of better-suited dress forms and mannequins for improved testing and display while also opening newer avenues for the Apparel sector because of a better understanding of body and fit.
Most importantly, the INDIAsize project will provide seismic benefits to Indian consumers. It will lead to the availability of better-fitting garments that will have enhanced comfort and style. It will also reduce the inconvenience of returning improper-fitting garments or guessing about size differences occurring between brands. Ergonomically designed products will better suit the consumer’s body shape and size. Also, it will help to make the shopping experience of the consumers more satisfactory as the size number can be compared with other size denominations across the globe.