Design and Product Development
Authors: Changhyun Nam (Iowa State University) , Young-A Lee (Auburn University)
The purpose of this study was to assess wearers' perceptions and acceptance of sustainable shoes, comparing with commercial leather shoes. A total of 42 male subjects were participated in this experimental study and their responses were used for data analyses. A paired t-test was performed to examine whether there were significant mean differences between the sustainable shoes and leather shoes, in the following five dimensions: function, expression, aesthetics, mobility related with physical fit and comfort during wear trials, and wearers' acceptance. The findings demonstrated that the men's shoes made with the eco-layer material configuration, which can be a leather substitute, have the potential to attract young male consumers in the future. However, the sustainable shoes in this study still remained a lack of mobility related to fit and comfort. Suggestions for future research to enhance the mobility of sustainable shoes for providing better fit and comfort of wearers are discussed.
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How to Cite: Nam, C. & Lee, Y. (2018) “Wearers' Perceptions and Acceptance of Shoes Made with Eco-Friendly Materials”, International Textile and Apparel Association Annual Conference Proceedings. 75(1).