Clothing: The Portable Environment

Susan M. Watkin's new revision of Clothing: The Portable Environment, enlivened by 385 illustrations, updates and enlarges her previous study. Watkins writes for the student and teacher of clothing design, the design professional, and the interested layperson. Her text presents the basic processes, theories, and ingredients of clothing creation. The problem-oriented practicing designer and student are offered guidance in database use and selected keywords for each subject - keys to electronic information sources.
The author examines functional clothing design for athletes, astronauts, soldier, and others. She also considers garments used by those with special needs - the asbestos worker, the elderly, the person with disabilities - and offers tests for assessment of mobility, sizing, and fit. Other chapters cover materials, designs, and systems for thermal protection; impact theory and protection; clothing for hazardous environments; mobility in clothing; fastening systems, including heat sealing; special needs clothing; and the process of design. Lists of references and a bibliography for further reading are included.