ASTM D5586-95

Standard Tables of Body Measurements for Women Aged 55 and Older (All Figure Types)

SCOPE
1.1 This document represents research methodology and the tables represent charted data from subjects. Some terminology is specific to the research. The data represent the first body measurements ever taken of women aged 55 and older and is not a standard of average current apparel industry practices as represented in all other sizing standards.
1.2 These tables list body measurements of adult women age 55 and over. The body measurements tables can be used as a baseline in designing apparel for adult women in this age group, taking into account such factors as fabric type, desired ease of body movement, styling, and fit.
1.3 Measurement tables correspond to the figure types and numerical size designations in the PS 42-70 database. Until body measurements of all adult women are updated, companies will have to analyze the older customer's differences by body measurements and proportions instead of hang tag numbers, and adapt them to currently marketed sizes and figure types. Companies especially affected are those who are today using smaller numbered hang tag designations, who offer mainly S, M, and L sizes, or who have adjusted their charts from the PS 42-70 database to reflect the specific body measurements of their 1990's customer.
1.4 The values stated in either acceptable SI units or inch-pound units shall be regarded separately as standard. The values stated in each system may not be exact equivalents; therefore, each system must be used independently of the other, without combining values.

General Information

• Status: Historical
• Publication Date: 09-Sep-2001
• ICS: 61.020 - Clothes
• Technical Committee: D13 - Textiles
• Drafting Committee: D13.55 - Body Measurement for Apparel Sizing

Relations

• Replaced By: ASTM D5586-01 - Standard Tables of Body Measurements for Women Aged 55 and Older (All Figure Types) (Withdrawn 2010)
• Effective Date: 10-Sep-2001

Standards Content (Sample)

NOTICE: This standard has either been superseded and replaced by a new version or discontinued.
Contact ASTM International (www.astm.org) for the latest information.
Designation: D 5586 – 95
Standard Tables
of Body Measurements for Women Aged 55 and Older
(All Figure Types)
This standard is issued under the fixed designation D 5586; the number immediately following the designation indicates the year of
original adoption or, in the case of revision, the year of last revision. A number in parentheses indicates the year of last reapproval. A
superscript epsilon (e) indicates an editorial change since the last revision or reapproval.
INTRODUCTION
These tables were developed from original research conducted by Reich and Goldsberry at the
University of Arizona in 1993. The study included 6786 subjects represented geographically by 38
states. Subjects were measured in 58 body locations, 45 of which duplicated measurements published
by the U.S. Department of Commerce as PS 42-70 based on research conducted in 1942 by O’Brien
and Shelton including 1970 revisions. The 13 additional measurements provided in the 1993 technical
report further depict physiological changes that occur in the older female figure. The PS 42-70 data,
represented by only 2 % of older women, continues to be used as a baseline for measurements and
proportions for all adult women in the domestic sizing system. These tables reflect the proportions and
maturity patterns of women aged 55 and older, not currently represented in adult female figure types
and size categories of the domestic sizing system now in use. Further description of this market
segment and consumer sizing issues are outlined by Goldsberry.
1. Scope smaller numbered hang tag designations, who offer mainly S,
M, and L sizes, or who have adjusted their charts from the PS
1.1 These tables list body measurements of adult women
42-70 database to reflect the specific body measurements of
age 55 and over. The body measurements tables can be used as
their 1990’s customer.
a baseline in designing apparel for adult women in this age
1.3 The values stated in either acceptable SI units or
group, taking into account such factors as fabric type, desired
inch-pound units shall be regarded separately as standard. The
ease of body movement, styling, and fit.
values stated in each system may not be exact equivalents;
1.2 Measurement tables correspond to the figure types and
therefore, each system must be used independently of the other,
numerical size designations in the PS 42-70 database. Until
without combining values in any any.
body measurements of all adult women are updated, companies
will have to analyze the older customer’s differences by body
2. Referenced Documents
measurements and proportions instead of hang tag numbers,
2.1 ASTM Standards:
and adapt them to currently marketed sizes and figure types.
D 123 Terminology Relating to Textiles
Companies especially affected are those who are today using
D 5219 Terminology Relating to a Body dimension for
Apparel Sizing
These tables are under the jurisdiction of ASTM Committee D-13 on Textiles 8
2.2 ISO Standards:
and are the direct responsibility of Subcommittee D13.55 on Body Measurements
ISO 3635-1981 Size Designation of Clothes, Definition and
for Apparel Sizing.
Current edition approved Sept. 10, 1995. Published December 1995. Originally Body Measurement Procedures
published as D 5586 – 94. Last previous edition D 5586 – 94.
ISO 8559 Garment Construction and Anthropometric
Reich, N., and Goldsberry, E., Development of Body Measurement Tables for
Surveys—Body Dimensions
Women 55 and Older and the Relationship to Ready-to-Wear Garment Size, ISR-06,
PCN: 33-000006-18, ASTM Institute for Standards Research, Philadelphia, PA,
3. Terminology
1993.
U.S. Department of Commerce, Voluntary Product Standard: Body Measure-
3.1 Definitions—For definitions of terms relating to body
ments for the Sizing of Women’s Patterns and Apparel, NIST No. PS 42-70, U.S.
measurements refer to Terminology D 5219. For definitions of
Government Printing Office, Washington, DC, 1971.
O’Brien, R., and Shelton, W. C., Women’s Measurements for Garment and
Pattern Construction, Miscellaneous Publication No. 454, U.S. Department of
Agriculture, 1941. Annual Book of ASTM Standards, Vol 07.01.
5 7
Goldsberry, E., Women 55 and Older: How Well is the Domestic Apparel Sizing Annual Book of ASTM Standards, Vol 07.02.
System Addressing Their Needs? ISR-08, PCN: 33-000008-18, ASTM Institute for Available from American National Standards Institute, 11 West 42nd St., 13th
Standards Research, Philadelphia, PA, 1993. Floor, New York, NY 10036.
Copyright © ASTM, 100 Barr Harbor Drive, West Conshohocken, PA 19428-2959, United States.
D 5586
other textile terms, refer to Terminology D 123. istics of the older adult female population. This practice should
in turn reduce or minimize current consumer confusion and
4. Significance and Use
dissatisfaction related to apparel sizing. (Also refer to ISO
4.1 The use of the body measurement information given in
3635-1981 and 8559.)
Tables 1-7 will assist manufacturers in developing patterns and
garments consistent with the current anthropometric character-
D 5586
TABLE 1 Woment 55+ of Junior Figure Type
D 5586
TABLE 1 Continued
D 5586
TABLE 2 Woment 55+ of Junior Petite Figure Type
D 5586
TABLE 2 Continued
D 5586
TABLE 3 Woment 55+ of Miss Petite Figure Type
D 5586
TABLE 3 Continued
D 5586
TABLE 4 Woment 55+ of Misses Figure Type
D 5586
TABLE 4 Continued
D 5586
TABLE 5 Woment 55+ of Misses Tall Figure Type
D 5586
TABLE 5 Continued
D 5586
TABLE 6 Woment 55+ of Half-Size Figure Type
D 5586
TABLE 6 Continued
D 5586
TABLE 7 Woment 55+ of Womens Figure Type
D 5586
TABLE 7 Continued
D 5586
5. Apparatus from one imaginary side seam to the other imaginary side
seam.
5.1 Tape Measure, dimensionally stable (plastic) and ap-
6.2.7 Hip—Measure the maximum hip circumference at the
proximately 15-mm ( ⁄2-in.) wide and graduated accurately in
1 level of maximum prominence of the buttocks, parallel to the
mm ( ⁄16 in.) increments.
floor.
5.2 Plastic Goniometer, to measure the degree of shoulder
slope. 6.2.8 Hip Arc—Measure across the back at the fullest hip
level from one imaginary side seam to the other imaginary side
5.3 Plastic L-Square, to determine the abdominal extension.
seam.
5.4 Light Weight Stretch Yarn Knitted Fabric Body Suit,
with cotton tapes added at strategic body locations and front 6.2.9 Sitting Spread—Locate the tape measure around the
zippered opening. The suit has long sleeves and an approxi-
full hip and hold loosely in place while the subject sits down on
mate 5-cm (2-in.) inseam. a flat chair. The tape will spread when seated. Before reading
5.5 Standard Body Weight Scale. the measurement, if necessary, reposition the tape on top of
body folds that represent additional spread.
6. Procedure
6.2.10 Mid Neck—Measure the mid neck circumference
6.1 General Procedures:
approximately 2.5 cm (1 in.) above the neck base.
6.1.1 Verify that measuring devices and scales are within
6.2.11 Armscye—With the arm relaxed at the side, measure
calibration.
from the shoulder joint down through the front-break point, the
6.1.2 The body measurement descriptions included herein
armpit, up to the back-break point and up to the starting point.
follow the exact procedures and order of the database mea-
6.2.12 Upper Arm—With the arm down, measure the maxi-
surements reported in the research technical report tables
mum upper arm circumfer
...