La Niña Jacket & Bibs

I tried on a variety of ski jackets to get a sense for how they fit and what might be some pain points that I could try to address with my designs. It turned out to be a real goldilocks situation where things were either too small or too big or too long or too short but nothing was just right.

Burton Anorak AK Gore KM

Size Medium: Okay amount of space in armholes and sleeves, sleeves too long, elbow darts too low, body is very long and tight tube and hem flairs out far beyond hips

Fit Research

Flylow Lucy Jacket

Medium - Yoke and drop shoulder better create a better fit in arm holes and across the back and chest, long and hips are a bit tight, sleeves a little long and loose

Stio Enviro Jacket

Size Small: Good SLV length, tight in under arms, a little tight around hips and across shoulders, arms good width @ bicep but very wide at wrist

No medium available

Size Large: More space in hips but silhouette bells out ,weirdly, still a bit tight across the BK, arm holes have a good amount of room but slvs are very loose and too long

Designing for the end of life

Both the bibs and Jacket have panels of 3 layer waterproof material printed with car and repair directions. The idea these on the garment came from my love of repair and my desire to make this knowledge accessible and fun. Often this information is hidden away on a tag or not provided at all putting the burden on the user to do their own research to understand how best to care for their garments. Especially now that PFAS has been removed from lots of waterproof materials proper care becomes even more important for the longevity and waterproof function of the fabric. Lots of these newer PFAS free fabrics are no longer oil resistant so oils from skin or stains can make the fabric less effective. It is therefore very important to wash these garments quite often.

My print includes detailed washing instructions citing the importance of special tech wash detergents and ways to refresh the water resistant DWR coating and details about drying the garment to make these coatings more effective.

The pint also goes into detail about how to care and repair zippers and how to patch this material while maintaining its waterproofness.

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Initial design brainstorm

Trew Stella Jacket

Size Small: tight in hips and long hem so tight on upper legs, chest darts are too high, chest is too big but across back is too tight, sleeves are a little too long and armholes are tight

Size Medium: Better fit overall, more room in his/thighs but jacket is very long, better fit in upper body, sleeves are too long and armholes are still too tight

TNF Dragline Jacket

Size Small: Sleeves good length and width but arm holes are tight, chest and across back are a bit tight, nice length, hips have a bit more room than other jackets but still a little too tight

Conclusions:

Sleeves too long (even in small sizes)

Armholes too tight

Hips too tight and when hem is long tight around thighs

Across back too tight

Research Conclusions:

Jacket: More space across back and armholes, room in hips to sit and move comfortably, longer jacket that covers seat, arms not overly long, hood big enough to fit over helmet

Bibs: Adjustability in waist, more space in thighs, not too long, make sure straps stay on shoulders, not too fitted but not super baggy either, design that makes it easier to use bathroom without removing all layers

tech sketch of jacket with all the design details related to repairability labeled