THE EFFECT OF VARIATION IN LINEAR DENSITY OF POLYAMIDE FILAMENTS ON THE HANDLE OF LADIES HOSIERY

In this work verbal descriptors generated by consumers in the form of a semantic differential were used to study the handle of ladies' hosie ry. Two sets of opaque and one set of sheer tights were evaluated. Fil aments of varying linear densities classified as 'micro' 'semi-micro' and 'conventional' were used in the construction of the opaque tights. In the case of the sheers, flat and textured yarns constructed from b oth micro and semi-microfilaments were used. Handle (or Hand) was eval uated by a panel of 50 female consumers and these assessments compared to a consumer determined ideal for each type of hosiery. In the case of the opaque tights there was a marked preference for those construct ed from micro or semi-microfilaments. Sheer tights constructed from mi crofilaments were most preferred with the use of flat or textured yam having no measurable effect. With regard to semi-microfilaments textur ing had a deleterious effect. The results of the study showed the uniq ue handle characteristics of each set of tights relative to the attrib utes in the grid and highlights those characteristics which could be m odified to improve overall handle.