Development of Functional Maternity Wear for Rural Women
| Vol-3 | Issue-09 | September 2018 | Published Online: 07 September 2018 PDF | ||
| Author(s) | ||
| Smt Pranoti Ramkrishna Aitwade 1; Smt. Anuradha Narayan Yadav 2 | ||
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1Lecturer, Government Residential Women’s Polytechnic, Latur 2Lecturer, Government Residential Women’s Polytechnic, Latur |
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| Abstract | ||
| Maternity clothing occupies a notably underexplored segment within the broader domain of functional apparel design, and this inadequacy becomes particularly acute when the focus shifts to rural women in developing economies. Despite accounting for a substantial proportion of global pregnancies, rural women continue to be overlooked in product development cycles that are predominantly shaped by urban consumer data and market priorities. This research paper presents a systematic investigation into the development of functional maternity wear tailored specifically for rural women, with an emphasis on ergonomic comfort, mobility, socio-cultural appropriateness, and the incorporation of sustainable textile materials. The study adopts a mixed-methods research design, integrating quantitative survey data collected from 280 pregnant and postnatal rural women across multiple districts, supplemented by secondary data from the existing literature, industry reports, and government health surveys. Statistical analyses—including descriptive statistics, Pearson correlation, and multiple regression—were employed to identify the dominant predictors of clothing comfort and functional satisfaction among the target population. The research draws on a triangulated review of 25 scholarly sources spanning textile engineering, ergonomics, maternal health, and sustainable fashion.Key findings indicate that rural pregnant women prioritise abdominal accommodation, thermal comfort, ease of breastfeeding access, and durability over aesthetic considerations. Fabric-related discomfort—particularly thermal stress from synthetic blends—emerged as a statistically significant predictor of overall clothing dissatisfaction (R² = 0.71, p < 0.001). Regression results further confirmed that ergonomic fit, breathability, and low-cost availability are the most critical determinants of adoption and continued use. The paper proposes a functional design framework built around natural fibre composites, adaptive waistband engineering, and modular garment structures amenable to the post-partum body transition. The implications of this research extend across apparel manufacturing, maternal health policy, and rural development programming, offering a foundational basis for evidence-driven product innovation in an underserved segment. | ||
| Keywords | ||
| Maternity wear, Rural Women, Ergonomics, Sustainability, Functional Apparel | ||
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