Towards a sustainable on-demand fashion industry: the impact of digital body measurement technologies

The integration of Human Body Digitization Technologies (HBDTs) into the fashion industry presents a transformative approach to personalize garment design and production while addressing sustainability challenges. This study investigates the feasibility, accuracy, and effectiveness of various measurement techniques, including traditional manual methods, 3D body scanning, and smartphone applications, to capture anthropometric data. A mixed-methods approach was employed for a pilot study involving 15 participants to assess the technical reliability of HBDTs in comparison to established garment manufacturing standards. Findings indicate that while traditional measuring techniques suffer from significant variability and inaccuracy, 3D scanning technologies demonstrate a higher degree of reliability, yielding measurements suitable for on-demand garment production. However, smartphone applications, while convenient, often lack precision and completeness in capturing essential dimensions for garment fitting. The study reveals that the successful adoption of HBDTs requires a comprehensive understanding of the digital anthropometric pipeline, necessitating interdisciplinary skills among fashion practitioners. Key challenges include operator errors, digital avatar optimization, and software limitations. Despite this, HBDTs show strong potential to improve garment fit, reduce waste, and support inclusivity. The study underscores the need for further research and highlights the value of advanced measurement methods for a more human-centric and sustainable fashion industry.