Perception on Garment Selection and Acceptability of Multi-Fitted Garment among Women within Child-Bearing Age

Every woman desires attractive and pretty look throughout different stages of life. Women within childbearing age shows tremendously increase in body weight; size and shape with tender and hypersensitive breast increase and continuous swelling of breast and stomach thereby experience discomfort and substantial pressure during pregnancy in their previous dress. The physiological changes during and after pregnancy require change in garments bringing about tendency to keep altering wardrobe every time; having financial implication on the well-being of the family which the family may not be able to bear. The study therefore investigate Perception on Garment Selection and level of acceptability of multifitted garment that will meet fashion needs of women before, during and after pregnancy periods by. The study adopted a descriptive survey conducted in Abeokuta South Local Government area of Ogun State with population of 130,318 women. The study involves practical and theoretical approaches. Two prototype designed of multi-fitted garments were constructed and photograph taken. The photographs with the garments were used to administer a pre-tested questionnaire to 200 women purposively selected from Federal Medical Center, Abeokuta, Ogun State General Hospital, Ijaye maternity units and Local Government Area secretariat. Data was analysed using descriptive statistics while Hypotheses inferential statistics. Result shows that 50% Respondents were married, 31% were pregnant, 49% were expecting their first child with mean age (x̄ ̄= 27.13); and 52% had Tertiary education. Respondents’ perception on physiological changes show that bust increment after birth (( x) ̄=3.14), majority (96%) agreed to general body increase in size during pregnancy (x̄=3.18) and 80% (x̄=3.08) agreed to stomach enlargement after birth compared to not given birth before. Similarly 88%respondent agreed with rapid increase in bust and hip sizes from onset of pregnancy (x̄=2.98)and 92% (x̄=3.34) agreed increase in their body shapes affect pregnant women from wearing their old garment. Result further shows selection criteria of garment by women within childbearing age; it was evident from the result that respondents (x̄=3.35) agreed that multi-fitted garment is confortable and cost effective in wardrobe planning during childbearing age. Furthermore, the garment made achieved desired fit and simplicity. Affordability was tested with 80%(x̄=3.08); 76% (x̄=3.04) attest garment can be worn for all occasion by women in childbearing age; 92% (x̄=3.28) assert fabric used is fashionable and 96% (x̄=3.26) accept garment maintain simplicity and comfort. It was therefore evident that the multi-fitted garment was acceptable (x̄=3.21) by the respondents. There was no significant relationship between respondent level of education and perception on garment selection criteria when P-value is < 0.05 (Chi square =. 319, df = 3; P-value = .956). Thus, it is inferred that multi-fitted garment had a significant positive effect on women within childbearing age since the need of clothing by these categories of women cannot be over emphasized at various stages within the period; hence the styles conceptualized by the study was acceptable in the event of real production.