Using the data collected through interview questions, Part II of this nationwide study on women 55 years and older examined factors which might be related to older women's overall satisfaction and dissatisfaction with the fit of ready-to-wear. In general, 70% (n = 4,086) of the respondents indicated dissatisfaction with the fit of ready-towear, while 31% (n = 1,826) indicated satisfaction. By using chi-square analyses, these two groups were then compared on demographics, clothing buying practices, and self-reported clothing problem locations. The majority of variables significantly differentiated the satisfied and the dissatisfied group. More dissatisfied consumers tended: (a) to be younger (e.g., 55-to-65 age category); (b) to be in the higher income category; (c) to be Caucasian; (d) to buy clothes mostly at discount/off-price stores, at department stores and through mail-order/catalog as compared to at specialty store/boutique or by custom-made/home sewing; (e) to live in the west coast area; and (f) to buy commercial patterns but to be dissatisfied with the fit of commercial patterns as well. The actual figure type purchased (e.g., Misses, Misses Petite) in ready-to-wear also was a significant factor affecting the older women's satisfaction level. Those who identified problems with each of the 15 body or garment locations had a greater dissatisfaction level with the fit of ready-to-wear than those who did not have problems. By using logistic regression analyses, some selected body measurements were found to be significant predictors of older women's satisfaction with the fit of ready-to-wear.

This study was to develop a value‐based model of career attitude and expected choice behavior in the context of retail management. A total of 754 college students nationwide returned a mailed survey. A structural equation modeling technique was used to test the hypotheses. The findings indicate that personal values had an influence on all three aspects of retail career attitude, which in turn had a direct influence on the expected choice behavior. The examination of the total effects indicates that the extent to which self‐actualizing values and social affiliation values influence expected retail career choice indirectly through retail career attitudes was similar, although their roles were somewhat different in terms of their path of influence. The intrinsic aspect of retail career attitude had the greatest effect on expected retail career choice, followed by the extrinsic and lifestyle flexibility aspects of retail career attitude. Theoretical and educational implications are presented.

The purpose ofthis study was to examine Principal Component Sizing System (PCSS) methodology as an alternative approach to advancing the mathematical efficiency and effectiveness ofapparel sizing for women 55 and older (Salusso-Deonier, 1982). 7he 1994 American Societyfor Testing and Materials (ASTM) national body measurement databasefor Women 55 and Older was classified using the PCSS method (ASTM, 2001). PCSS-55+ has a thickness-by-length structure similar to the current domestic sizing system. Only 25 sizes were needed to encompass the same range as compared to the 55 sizes within the current sizing standard. The PCSS method correctly classified 95% ofsubjects within 25 size categories and demonstrates potential as an alternative methodfor creating a simplified and marketable apparel sizing systems. With appropriate methods and databases, revision of US. apparel sizingfor women ofall ages can provide long awaited valid and reliable sizing. R eady-to-wear apparel has been the primary source of apparel for consumers in industrialized nations for over half a century. Apparel sizing systems are the basis for proportioning

Using survey data (n = 205) obtained from retail managers and executives of national retail chain store companies, we identified three leadership styles that were based on Quinn’s theoretical model of competing leadership roles. Three leadership clusters, labeled loner/internal‐focused, team builder/goal‐oriented, and conceptual producer/external‐focused, were identified through the use of a clustering technique. These three clusters were then compared on the basis of personal, organizational and managerial characteristics, using multivariate and univariate analyses of variance. The findings indicate that leadership styles are influenced by various factors such as personal values, job characteristics, job satisfaction, organizational commitment, career progression, and personal demographic characteristics. Theoretical and managerial implications are discussed.

This study, sponsored by the Institute for Standards Research and the apparel industry, was undertaken to establish the very first large-scale body measurement database specifically of women age 55 and older. Part I examines differences in body measurements between the new database and the Voluntary Product Standard PS 42-70 database. Data collection and computing methodologies were pilot tested in Arizona with 469 subjects who were 55 years of age and older. State project coordinators (n = 38) and data collectors (n = 391) in 38 states were recruited and provided training during the two-day workshops conducted in 24 regional locations. Measurements of a total of 6,652 ambulatory women, representing 38 states, were included in the final analysis. A specially designed computer program sorted subjects by size based on the same bust, height, and weight criteria as those used in the PS 42-70 database. For the analysis subjects were classified into 7 figure types (Junior Petite, Junior, Misses Petite, Misses, Misses Tall, Women, and Half-Size) in 6 to 10 sizes each. Mean differences of each size within each figure type were compared by using t-tests. Significant differences between the current older women's body measurements and the PS 42-70 database measurements were found in the majority of sizes across the figure types. Body measurements that were significantly greater than the PS 42-70 database across the sizes and figure types were abdominal-extension, waist, sitting-spread, armscye, bust-height (level), back-width, chest-width, hip and hiparc. Some measurements (e.g., hip-height, inseam, cervical-height, waist-arc, abdominal-arc, and weight) tended to be generally greater than those of the PS 42-70 with a few exceptions in some figure types. Depending on the sizes and figure types, other measurements varied in both directions from the PS 42-70. It can be expected that women 55 and older will have difficulties buying clothing that fits well under the current domestic sizing system. Therefore, it is critically important that this new database be used to develop improved sizing for women 55 and older. Part II explores women's perceptions of fitting problems experienced when buying clothing cut from domestic sizing charts which have evolved from PS 42-70, the industry's only existing large scale female body measurement database established from 1940 body measurement data.