An Analysis of Consumer Sensory and Sensibility Factors for Planning Conductive Fabric Clothing

Abstract The ultimate purpose of this research is to analyze consumers’ complex sensory and sensibility factors, providing fundamental data to assist in suggesting the planning of clothing products with conductive fabric. For conductive fabric, “electrostatic” is the key factor, while “even,” “not crude,” “mature,” “modern,” “refined,” and “urbane” constitute the primary sensibility factors. Participants tended to perceive that knit-type silver-coated conductive fabric based on the nylon is more insulating and formal than the same fabric based solely on the silver fiber. According to the analysis of differences in sensory factors based on the composition, it was observed that conductive fabric made from 100% nylon exhibits high versatility in developing clothing products. The preference for clothing products made from conductive fabric revealed that blouses, shirts, dresses, and t-shirts were highly ranked. Especially, knit-type conductive fabric appears highly suitable for developing clothing, as it exhibits the highest preference for various clothing products. Thus, actively applying knit-type conductive fabric on a preferential basis is expected to be effective in introducing conductive fabric into the clothing market and stimulating product development. In conclusion, this result indicates that introducing conductive fabric into the clothing market is positive. Sensory and sensibility factors of the proposed fabric are believed to offer an important guideline for those who develop clothing products made of conductive fabric to satisfy consumer needs.