Original scientific paper
Application of Percentile Distributions in Analysing Anthropometric Measurements of Women, with Implications for Clothing Size Systems
Ksenija Doležal
; University of Zagreb Faculty of Textile Technology, Zagreb, Croatia
*
Renata Hrženjak
orcid.org/0000-0003-2827-4268
; University of Zagreb Faculty of Textile Technology, Zagreb, Croatia
* Corresponding author.
Abstract
This study examines the variability of anthropometric characteristics in the female population of the Republic of Croatia, focusing on body height, bust girth, waist girth, and hip girth, as well as their importance in developing clothing size systems. The research was conducted on a sample of participants from two regions, divided into age groups, enabling analysis of changes in body dimensions throughout the life cycle. Statistical data processing is based on descriptive statistics, including arithmetic mean, standard deviation, and coefficient of variation, with particular emphasis on the use of percentile distributions (P5–P95) to provide detailed insight into population variability. The results show a clear trend of decreasing body height with increasing age, while bust, waist, and hip girth increase up to middle age, then stabilise or slightly decrease. Relatively small differences were observed between the analysed regions; however, these indicate the presence of certain regional specificities. The results suggest that clothing size systems based on a limited number of anthropometric measurements may not fully reflect population variability. The use of percentile analysis allows for more precise definition of size ranges and provides a foundation for developing more flexible, population-adapted clothing size systems.
Keywords
anthropometry; clothing sizes; body variability; percentile analysis; garment construction
Hrčak ID:
351070
URI
Publication date:
4.5.2026.
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