Short answer

Designers and marketers must consider a multi-faceted approach, balancing universally appealing design elements with targeted strategies for brand, price, and distribution to effectively capture the attention and purchasing power of young female consumers.

Field
Innovation & Markets
Source
NCSU Libraries Repository (North Carolina State University Libraries) (2006)
Method
Quantitative survey research
Sample
250 participants
Evidence
Strong effect

Styling, brand, price, place of purchase, and fabrication/fiber content are key drivers of purchase intent for 15-25 year old female consumers. This innovation & markets research insight is drawn from a 2006 study published in NCSU Libraries Repository (North Carolina State University Libraries). Using Quantitative survey research with 250 participants, researchers explored how this design variable affects real-world outcomes. The key design takeaway: Designers and marketers must consider a multi-faceted approach, balancing universally appealing design elements with targeted strategies for brand, price, and distribution to effectively capture the attention and purchasing power of young female consumers.

Study
Innovation & MarketsHigh ImpactStrong effect

Garment Attributes Significantly Influence Purchase Intentions for Young Female Consumers

Styling, brand, price, place of purchase, and fabrication/fiber content are key drivers of purchase intent for 15-25 year old female consumers.

NCSU Libraries Repository (North Carolina State University Libraries) · 2006

01

Key Findings

  • 01Styling, brand, price, place, and fabrication/fiber content have a statistically significant effect on purchase intent.
  • 02Fashion groups within the 15-25 age cohort show significant differences in responses regarding brand, price, and place, but exhibit similarity in preferences for styling and fabrication.
02

Application

Design takeaway

Designers and marketers must consider a multi-faceted approach, balancing universally appealing design elements with targeted strategies for brand, price, and distribution to effectively capture the attention and purchasing power of young female consumers.

How to apply

When developing new apparel lines for the 15-25 female demographic, conduct market research to understand current trends in styling and fabrication, and develop tiered pricing and branding strategies to appeal to different sub-segments.

Project actions

  • 01When researching a target market, consider breaking them down into smaller, more specific groups based on lifestyle or interests.
  • 02Use pilot studies to refine your research instruments and ensure the products or concepts you are testing are relevant to your target audience.
03

Method & Evidence

AimTo investigate the influence of specific garment attributes on the purchase intentions of 15-25 year old female consumers in the United States.
MethodQuantitative survey research
ProcedureTwo pilot studies were conducted to gather preliminary data on fashion styles, preferred stores, and brands among the target demographic. Based on these findings, ten garments were purchased and four were designed and produced for use in an online questionnaire. 250 usable responses were collected and analyzed.
Sample250 participants
ContextApparel retail and fashion marketing

Variables

IV["Garment attributes (styling, brand, price, place, fabrication/fiber content)"]
DV["Purchase intention"]
CV["Age group (15-25 years old)","Gender (female)","Geographic location (United States)"]
04

Strengths & Limitations

Strengths

  • +Utilized pilot studies to refine research instruments.
  • +Employed statistical analysis to determine significance of findings.

Limitations

The findings are specific to a particular age group and gender, so they may not apply to older consumers or males. The study was conducted in 2006, and fashion trends and consumer preferences can change rapidly.

Reliability & validity

The use of statistical significance (p-value < 0.05) suggests an attempt to establish reliability and validity. However, the specific measures used and the potential for response bias would need further examination for a complete assessment.

Think critically

How might the influence of social media and influencer marketing on this demographic alter the relative importance of these garment attributes compared to when this study was conducted?

05

Design Principles

"Consumer purchase intent is a complex interplay of tangible product attributes and intangible brand/market factors, requiring segmented marketing and design strategies."

Understanding the specific attributes that resonate with distinct consumer segments is crucial for effective product development and marketing strategies. This insight allows designers and marketers to tailor offerings to meet the precise demands of this influential demographic, optimizing market penetration and sales.

06

What This Means for Your Design

For young women aged 15-25, what clothes look like, who makes them, how much they cost, where they are sold, and what they are made of are all important when deciding to buy them. Different fashion groups might care more about some of these things than others, but they generally agree on what looks good and what fabrics they like.

How to use in your project

  • 1.Reference this study when discussing the importance of market research and understanding target consumer demographics in your design project.
  • 2.Use the findings to justify your design choices, particularly if your project targets a similar demographic.
07

Add to My Project

08

Quick Cite

Paragraph starter

Research indicates that for young female consumers aged 15-25, key garment attributes such as styling, brand, price, place of purchase, and fabrication significantly influence their purchase intentions. While preferences for brand, price, and place can differ among fashion sub-groups, styling and fabrication tend to show more universal appeal within this demographic, suggesting a need for both segmented marketing strategies and broadly appealing design elements.

09

Source

NCSU Libraries Repository (North Carolina State University Libraries)

The Affect of Garment Attributes on the Purchase Intentions of Fifteen to Twenty-Five Year Old Females

journal · 2006

View source

Questions About This Research

What does the research say about garment attributes significantly influence purchase intentions for young female consumers?
Designers and marketers must consider a multi-faceted approach, balancing universally appealing design elements with targeted strategies for brand, price, and distribution to effectively capture the attention and purchasing power of young female consumers. Evidence: NCSU Libraries Repository (North Carolina State University Libraries) (2006).
Why does "Garment Attributes Significantly Influence Purchase Intentions for Young Female Consumers" matter for design?
Understanding the specific attributes that resonate with distinct consumer segments is crucial for effective product development and marketing strategies. This insight allows designers and marketers to tailor offerings to meet the precise demands of this influential demographic, optimizing market penetration and sales.
How can designers apply this research?
Designers and marketers must consider a multi-faceted approach, balancing universally appealing design elements with targeted strategies for brand, price, and distribution to effectively capture the attention and purchasing power of young female consumers.
What were the main findings?
Styling, brand, price, place, and fabrication/fiber content have a statistically significant effect on purchase intent.. Fashion groups within the 15-25 age cohort show significant differences in responses regarding brand, price, and place, but exhibit similarity in preferences for styling and fabrication.
What research method was used?
Quantitative survey research with 250 participants.
How strong is the evidence?
Evidence strength is rated Strong effect, based on a 2006 journal from NCSU Libraries Repository (North Carolina State University Libraries).
What should I do differently in my next project?
When developing new apparel lines for the 15-25 female demographic, conduct market research to understand current trends in styling and fabrication, and develop tiered pricing and branding strategies to appeal to different sub-segments.
What are the limitations?
The study focused solely on female consumers aged 15-25 in the United States, limiting generalizability to other demographics or geographic regions. The specific garments used in the study may also influence results.