Skip to main content
Textile and Apparel Science

Clothing for Scoliosis: Meeting Adaptive and Aesthetic Needs of Adolescent Females

Authors
  • Audrey Baker (Auburn University)
  • Dawn M Michaelson orcid logo (Baylor University)

Abstract

Adolescent Idiopathic Scoliosis (AIS) is often studied from a therapeutic and pain management perspective, and focusing on functional clothing needs. However, AIS's clothing expressive and aesthetic aspects are equally important, as individuals with scoliosis face challenges in meeting societal beauty standards and finding suitable clothing that accommodates body asymmetry. AIS typically manifests during adolescence, affecting more females than males, and presents unique difficulties for adolescent girls who are subject to societal pressures around body image. This study aims to explore the aesthetic needs of adolescent girls with AIS and develop functional garment prototypes that address these needs by utilizing line and silhouette manipulation to create the illusion of symmetry. Using the functional, expressive, and aesthetic (FEA) consumer needs model, qualitative research through focus groups will be conducted to identify common aesthetic and fit-related concerns. 

Keywords: Adolescent Idiopathic Scoliosis, adolescent girls, expressive clothing, aesthetic clothing

How to Cite:

Baker, A. & Michaelson, D. M., (2025) “Clothing for Scoliosis: Meeting Adaptive and Aesthetic Needs of Adolescent Females”, International Textile and Apparel Association Annual Conference Proceedings 81(1). doi: https://doi.org/10.31274/itaa.18737

Downloads:
Download PDF
View PDF

44 Views

12 Downloads

Published on
2025-01-17

Peer Reviewed