Markus Kuhn wrote in [USMA:22337] on 2002-09-25 18:36 UTC:
> I just sent the following to [EMAIL PROTECTED] and some
> people on http://apparelandfootwear.org/4col.cfm?pageID=174 :
>
> Dear Mr. Mellian,
>
> I read with great interest on
>
> http://www.ansi.org/public/news/2002july/what_my_size.html
>
> a progress report about the -- in my eyes *very* needed and desireable
> -- standardization of clothing labels based on real body measurements.
> [...]
I just got the attached reply.
Markus
--
Markus G. Kuhn, Computer Laboratory, University of Cambridge, UK
Email: mkuhn at acm.org, WWW: <http://www.cl.cam.ac.uk/~mgk25/>
Dear Mr. Kuhn,
I read your questions and recommendations with a great smile on my face.
The reason for the "Smile" was not because what you suggested was funny,
because this has been my life long war, argument, and friendly or
unfriendly discussions with the apparel industry. However, here it is, my
private, unofficial responds to your question:
ASTM standards provide body measurements tables in both units.
However, ASTM can not force for industry. these are voluntary standards.
I wish I had a better answer this question. No I do not believe that
there is a chance that the apparel industry will use metric units in
labels, not only that I am even not sure that we will be able to convince
the apparel industry to use body measurements on labels. I might sound
very pessimistic, this is because I have been U.S. delegate to ISO
Technical Committee 133, and worked in development of Size Designation,
Pictogram and Labelogram to be used for clothing. Have been trying to
explain, how important these communication devices are for consumers for
years and so far there is not much for me to be happy about. However, I am
proud of my success in convincing the U.S. Navy to include body
measurements on labels of uniforms. I hope that these women will be
educated and demand the same information buying their civilian clothes.
The European Union will be all set to use metric units by 2009. I
have no idea how many more decades will take for U.S. to adopt the
metrication. I am afraid industry will not make any changes, until U.S.
government decides to adopt metric units to replace the current one. This
is as difficult as changing driving rules in England.
Thank you for your interest in a subject that I am very passionate about.
Cheers. Sirvart
This is one of those issues that people, especially women, are very passionate about. "Don't EVER EVER change ANYTHING about the way I buy clothes. EVER." And the clothing manufacturers cater to them by expanding their clothes (as their customer base expands) while keeping the size numbers the same: "I am a size EIGHT. I have ALWAYS been a size eight. Show me something in a size eight!!"
Same reason metrication becomes personal when it comes time to buying loose meat and produce.
My wife also has attitude about the $1 bill -- wants to keep it because it's familiar. However, she has completely understood me converting all the thermostats in the house to Celsius.
Carleton
