STANDARD SIZES

Press, Volume CII, Issue 30066, 26 February 1963, Page 2

STANDARD SIZES

NX System By 1965

Ths rises sf all ready-to-wear garments made in Naw Zealand will be shown by means of a standardised, rise-mark-ing system by 1965, Mr C. H. Stockbridge (chairman .of the Standard Gar-ment-Siring Committee)

told members of the Women’s Electrical Association when he addressed their meeting last evening.

The multiplicity of present sizing systems caused a greet deal of ’ confusion, and became completely unsatisfactory, Mr Stockbridge said. Outlining attempts which have been made over the years by various organisations who wanted a standardised system of garment sizing, Mr Stockbridge explained the formation and function of the Standard Garment Sizing Committee. Attached to the Standards Institute, which fixes specifications for many other manufactured • goods, the committee worked with the Department of Industries and Commerce. It was an official body, recognised by the Government, and with clothing and textile manufacturers and representatives of the retail trade all co-operat-ing. the present confusion in the marking of garment sizes was well on the way to being eliminated, Mr Stockbridge said. Australia had introduced a standardised system, and all Australian garment sizes were prefixed by the letter

New Zealand had borrowed thia idea. Standard New Zealand sixes would use the letters “N.Z.” when they came into use.

Women’s garments were being dealt with first, said Mir Stockbridge. The first part of the committee’s work had been to sort the women's range into age groups. Those decided on ■ were: up to 5 years, infants; 6-12 years, children; 13-19 years, teenagers; and ,20 years onwards to be classed as women. Within these groupings the garment sizes would be indicated by body measurements. The specification for the teen-age girls’ sizes were the first to be done, and this classification had now been completed, Mr Stockbridge said. The standard specification has now been approved by the Standards Council, having been approved by manufacturers.

The same process ia now being followed with specifications for the 6-12 girl size. The work will proceed through each women’s category and later through men’s and boys* wear.

“By 1966, ail New Zealand garments will be steed to there standard specifications. Each garment wiH then be guaranteed to fit toe size specified by the mairidngH,’* Mr Stockbridge said.