Systems and methods for improved apparel fit and apparel distribution

#The present invention pertains to the field of apparel fitting and distribution, and in particular to apparel specifically designed and suited for one or more target consumers, and consumer availability of specifically designed and suited apparel.

#Consumers continue to face difficulties with finding apparel that will fit them properly. Retailers and apparel companies also continue to have difficulty with designing and distributing apparel that will fit consumers properly. For consumers, fit problems negatively impact their retail shopping experience, level of apparel spending and brand satisfaction. The cost to apparel companies and retailers k tangible as well as intangible: high rates of returned merchandise, lost potential sales, and brand equity erosion. Even for those apparel brand owners who believe they have solved the fit problem for a “target consumer,” there is a high loss in revenue when a consumer leaves with only a single pair of pants because only one out of five pairs fit properly. Returns on women's apparel to retail stores are estimated to be approximately 10-12% of sales. According to a 2002 study, more than 25% of these returns are due to inconsistent or incorrect fit. Store front retailers process nearly $5 billion in returned merchandise each year. Catalog and eCommerce apparel returns range from 33-35% with the largest single reason for return being “poor fit.”

#Currently, apparel fit specifications are based on an industry sizing standard established in the 1940's by The American Society for Testing and Materials (ASTM). This standard has never been updated or revised. Thus, it has become obsolete as body sizes and physiognomy of the any target population has evolved over the last half century. Today, for example, ASTM standard specifications can only provide off-the-rack fit for roughly 13% of women aged 35-55. Apparel companies have been forced to apply their own insights to “tweak” fit specifications, and have achieved only a limited amount of success. In addition, companies now apply “vanity sizing” to many apparels, such that larger sized clothing are labeled with smaller sizes. Together, this has resulted in the dilution of size standards which has only increased consumer confusion, while failing to deliver appreciable improvements in fit.

#Embodiments of the present invention will be better understood in connection with the following Figure, in which:

#FIG. 1 illustrates a flowchart of inventive steps in accordance with one aspect of the present invention.

#The term “personal communication device” or “PCD” is used to define a device capable of online communication, such as but not limited to a laptop computer, desktop computer, tablet, mobile phone, television, or other communication device as would be understood by someone skilled in the art.

#The term “consumer” is used to define an individual, group, group of individuals, corporation, organization, retail store, apparel buyer, personal shopper, apparel designer, tailor, manufacturer, purchaser, or otherwise as would be understood by someone skilled in the art.

#Unless defined otherwise, all technical and scientific terms used herein have the same meaning as commonly understood by one of ordinary skill in the art to which this invention belongs.