Research and Apparel Development
Urban Commuter Cycling
Vancouver is one of the safest cities for urban cyclists.
And yet only 35% of the cyclists are women.
Research Statement
Office-appropriate apparel for Urban commuter cycling women who bike an average of 6.4 km during the Spring and Summer seasons in Vancouver
What?
Who?
When?
Where?
User Functions
Donning and doffing
Prepare gear and things to take to work
Check and prepare bike ride to work
Carry personal belongings (eg. backpack)
Commute to work and home
Work
Apparel Functions
Cover/ protect body
Easy donning and doffing
Moisture management
Tear resistance
Good abrasion
Water repellent
Windproof
Comfortable
Good fit
Wrinkle Resistance
Sustainable
Adjustability
Washable
UV Protection
Stain resistance
Durable
Gap in the market
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An informative-but-semi depressing survey from Outside magazine talked to over 1,500 adventurous women who reported that 60% feel like the selection of women's gear is not the same quality as the men's, and more than half have shopped in men's sections to find gear they can actually use.
"
Jacket Prototyping
Zip up blazer with removable hood that goes over a helmet. Ventilation created through extra stretch facilitated in the back shoulder.
Initial prototype with shoulder ease added with elastic
Prototype with hood shaping
Prototype with elastic extension added to back
Prototypes testing out different sleeve types
Final Prototype with hood shaped over helmet
Front facing shaping
Short Prototyping
Shorts with waist adjustability using in built belt buckle, inseam pockets with invisible zipper and retro reflective tape at hem.
First prototype with back darts; excessive shaping required
First prototype with back darts; excessive shaping required
Pant Prototyping
Pants with waist adjustability using tabs on the side and ventilation through strategic use of mesh. Knee and hem expand to accommodate cycling. Inseam pockets with invisible zipper closure.
Final prototype for knee mesh expansion with invisible zipper
Prototype with knee placement tested out
Earlier prototypes had zipper opening at hem to allow ease of movement while cycling. In case of rain, leg might get wet
Waist tab for adjustability; to be revised with metal snaps. Performed well in testing
Final Prototype shaped leg while adding a gore into the zipper opening
Final Prototype
Final Prototype
Composition: 70/80% Polyester, 12/20% Nylon, 8/10% Spandex
Weight: 295 GSM​
4 way stretch
0.18% abraded in ASTM abrasion testing
20.42N in both grains for tear testing
Smooth handfeel
Minimum noise
Ideal wrinkle resistance​​
There is a very large gap in the market that proves the viability of the target market and validates the need for innovation in the apparel for female urban commuters
Research and apparel development were a combined effort of the following individuals-
Colleen MacCuish, Gabriela Santos dos Carvalho and Ulla Fomina.