EMBRACING DIFFERENCES
Understanding Ethnic Pelvic Shapes in Intimate Apparel Design
Did you know that the size and shape of a woman’s pelvis can significantly affect how intimate apparel fits and feels? Recognizing and embracing the unique pelvic shapes that vary among different ethnicities is a crucial aspect of creating well-fitting and flattering intimate apparel. In this blog post, we will explore the topic of understanding ethnic pelvic shapes in intimate apparel design and explore how it can influence the fit and comfort of underwear for women from diverse backgrounds.
PELVIC PROPORTIONS AND THE IMPACT OF OESTROGEN
The shape and proportions of the pelvis are determined by various factors, including hormones. During puberty, the hormone known as oestrogen promotes the accumulation of fat in specific areas. Such as the buttocks, thighs, and hips, leading to distinctive body contours. However, the distribution of fat is not uniform, as oestrogen impacts how and where fat is stored, resulting in diverse pelvic shapes among women of different ethnicities.
The “golden” pelvic ratio considers a waist that is 30% smaller than the hips, which is equivalent to a ratio of 0.70. Research has uncovered that the racial background of a woman can heavily influence the shape of her pelvis and pubic bone. Different ethnicities tend to have different pelvic shapes, which can impact the fit and comfort of intimate apparel.
UNDERSTANDING ETHNIC PELVIC SHAPES
The three common ethnic pelvic shapes are:
- The Gynecoid Pelvis: This type of pelvis is often found in Western Caucasian women. It has an almost round brim, shallow pelvic cavity, and straight side walls. Intimate apparel associates it with fewer fit issues, but other ethnicities may have different pelvic shapes.
- The Android Pelvis: This type of pelvis has a heart-shaped brim and is narrow in front. It is likely to occur in tall women with narrow hips and is found in African women. The pelvic cavity and outlet are often narrow, straight, and long, with prominent ischial spines.
- The Anthropoid Pelvis: This type of pelvis is commonly found in Asian and Chinese women. It has an oval brim and a slightly narrow pelvic cavity. The outlet is typically large, although some diameters may be reduced.
OUTCOMES BASED ON ETHNIC PELVIC SHAPES
The outcomes of above mentioned three common ethnic pelvic shapes include but not limited to:
- The majority of White Caucasian women tend to have a Gynecoid pelvis. Which is oval at the inlet, has a generous capacity, and wide arch. Compared to other ethnicities, this pelvic shape causes fewer problems with knicker fit. However, they may still face concerns such as falling in between size categories and inappropriate fit levels due to dual sizing.
- On the other hand, women of African/West Indian/Black ethnicity tend to have an anthropoid pelvis, which is long and almost oval in shape. This pelvic shape can make the pelvic region look thicker and rounder due to the deeper curvature frame. These women may carry more weight in the buttocks and abdomen. Therefore, they may prefer boy-short and full brief styles that provide more fabric to cover a fuller bottom.
- Women of Asian ethnicities may face fit complications with briefs that do not relate to their pelvic shape. They typically have an android pelvis. They may find that Euro sizes are too big for them. That results in sagging and crumpling at the rear due to a lack of volume. Therefore, they may prefer mini, hot pant, tie-side, and high leg briefs that provide less rear coverage.
As an entrepreneur or start-up, you may have a wealth of ideas. But you might not have considered the impact of diverse ethnic pelvic shapes on your designs. However, recognizing this diversity is a powerful step towards creating more inclusive and empowering intimate apparel designs. By considering factors beyond just body shape, you can create designs that enhance the confidence and self-esteem of women from all backgrounds.
So, let’s celebrate our differences, embrace diversity, and empower women to feel beautiful and comfortable in their own skin with well-fitting and flattering intimate apparel.