Predictors of design preferences for older people's fashion in terms of physical and psychological dimensions

摘要

The design preferences of older people have been changing in line with their physical and psychological characteristics. This study aims tocategorise the Hong Kong older people aged 60 or over in regard to predictors of fashion design preferences with specific reference to psychological factors and physical factors. A mixed methods research approach combing quantitative survey and wear trials on prototype garments was adopted. This study successfully categorises the older people in regard to predictors of fashion design preferences in terms of physical and psychological dimensions. The three clusters are (1) 'individualist'; (2) 'conservative'; and (3) 'function-oriented', and they were identified with different design preferences as they had unique demand on clothing functions and different physiological and psychological changes. The results also suggested that older people consider fashion from multiple perspectives and hence their preferences are as complicated as those of other generations.