Classification of japanese women's side form (silhouettes)

Abstract

Classification of the trunk configuration of Japanese women was attempted by means of photographically registering the side view silhouettes of the trunk of 216 female subjects of age 19. The distance from the vertical line passing through either of the scapula styloideus and the thelion was measured for the prominence of neck, waist, and hip. Combinations of different levels of 3 to 6 items were used for the classification of the side form. The thickness at the hip level was in 3.2% smaller and in 71.3% larger than that at the chest level, the thickness of both levels being similar for 25.5% of the subjects. As to the overall trunk configuration, 44.4% had backwardly positioned buttock and 36.2% forwardly positioned abdomen, only 19.4% showing a vertical trunk posture. It is suggested that these combinations may be used as a basis of describing bodily patterns and for design of clothes.