Fit
samples are samples produced by a manufacturer so that the
company purchasing the product can review the garments to
make certain they fit properly to the human
body. In other words, the primary function of a fit sample
is to evaluate fit.
A
member of the company that is buying the product (buyer,
merchandisers, designers, fit technicians, or another member
of the staff), will view the samples on either a fit model
(a real person) or on forms (mannequin for fitting
garments). Many companies will evaluate fit on both a form
and a fit model (person).
If the
purchasing company is a very small company, they may not
utilize fit models for each program. Scheduling a fitting
with a fit
model, is not extremely expensive, but it is also
generally not free... Therefore, some companies may skip
hiring a fit model. If fit models are not utilized and a
company does not have the appropriate forms, they will at
the very least use a tape measure to evaluate the garment to
make certain that the measurements match the original
size spec file.
Also, they may request samples in their own personal size
and try the garment on themselves to review fit. Most of
the larger size companies will conduct fit sessions with fit
models to determine if the garment fits and drapes properly.
If the
garment measures properly as per the size spec, but does NOT
properly fit, the designer will most likely alter the spec
measurements to compensate. They will then issue a revised
spec file to the factory. The manufacturer will then
produce another set of fit samples, and the review process
will begin again. After the designers are happy with the
fit, they will approve the factory to proceed to
pre-production samples.
Note:
Fit samples should be in the same type of fabric that is
going to be used for production (same fabric construction
& same fabric weight). However, the fabric does not need to
be dyed or printed to match final colors. The purpose of
fit samples, is to review the fit. They do
not need to be reviewed for color, ticketing, labeling etc.
Unless, the buyer requires everything to be submitted at one
time. Under normal circumstances, first buyers review
fit samples,
then
pre-production samples, and then
final production samples.
The
design team will review fit again when the factory submits
the
final production samples
to make sure that actual
production matches the fit of the approved fit samples. If
a factory does not maintain the proper measurements during
production, they may be faced with a
fashion industry chargeback.
Unfortunately, there is currently no true standard for
garment sizing in the
apparel industry.
What is size 6 for one clothing company, may not necessarily
be the same size 6 for another company. Each
designer has the authority to create their own
interpretation (if the retailer does not
specify strict requirements). Although each designer wants
their garments to properly fit customers, keep in mind that
not all bodies are created equal...
The
human body is simply not consistent from one person to the
next. The fit sample process certainly helps, but it
certainly does not make the world perfect.
In the
opinion of Apparel Search, the only way to make clothing fit
"all" of your customers perfectly is to make custom made
clothing for each customer... Again, our bodies are all
different.
ML32509
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Fashion
Industry
Fashion Careers
Fashion Industry Network If you
were actually looking for fitness clothing, you are in the wrong
place. Try the
women's fitness clothing section...
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