Patent Publication Number: US-2007100491-A1

Title: Method of selecting optimum clothing style based on individually-assessed body type

Description:
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION  
      People have been shopping at retail establishments for decades, for all manners of basic household, domestic and textile goods. Brick-and-mortar retail establishments (hereinafter “retailers”) arrange products on the premises with a variety of factors in mind. Specifically with regard to retailers that sell clothing, product arrangement on the premises is typically distinguished by departments which are often further arranged by gender, designers and ages. Retailers further employ strategies for promoting newer clothing lines by placing items near the most accessible areas of the retail establishment in order to generate the most profitable sales, whereas typically discounted items are placed in less accessible areas of a particular department. On-line or web-based retailers also arrange products on-line for purchase by shoppers. Typically, products are again organized by gender, design and ages via various links or listings.  
      The clothing selected for sale by retailers is typically driven by the fashion industry. Thus, the clothing made available to the public is driven by and modeled after those fashions presented by the fashion industry (also referred to as “fashion trends”). Retailers typically provide clothing based on the fashion trends, without consideration to whether particular clothing styles are suited to particular body types. Fashion trends, in and of themselves, do not generally develop or evolve for the purpose of optimally suiting a variety of body types. Subsequently, consumers shop for clothing without regard or knowledge as to their particular body types and/or which clothing styles most optimally-suit their particular body types.  
      Personal shoppers are sometimes hired to consult with and shop on behalf of clients, choosing color palettes and clothing styles that are appropriate to the individual body type and personal characteristics of the client. This is mostly due to a client&#39;s need to find professional and/or optimally-suited clothing styles, when the client does not have time to shop for himself/herself. However, personal shoppers are often quite expensive to hire and thus those services are not accessible to the average consumer.  
      Further, the consuming public is often ill-educated as to their individual body types and which particular clothing items and styles are the most well-suited to their individual body types. At all levels of economic status, people want to convey an image of confidence, professionalism and sophistication with regards to personal appearance.  
     SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION  
      The present invention relates to a method of selecting optimum clothing style based on individually-assessed body type. The method comprises the steps of  
      (a) a shopper;  
      (b) interacting with a retail entity;  
      (c) said retail entity providing a body type identification system; and  
      (d) at least one clothing item;  
      wherein the body type identification system informs the shopper of at least one clothing item that optimally suits at least one perceivable body type.  
      The shopper is further able to assess and select a subsequent optimally-suited clothing item based on a particular body type.  
      One object of the present invention is to provide a method for retail entities to assist an individual in identifying his or her individual body-type.  
      Another object of the present invention is to provide individuals with a method of selecting an optimally-suited clothing style associated with an identified body type. 
    
    
     BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS  
       FIG. 1  is a flow diagram of the method of the present invention.  
       FIG. 2  is a top plan view of exemplary body types as described in the present invention. 
    
    
     DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENT  
       FIG. 1  depicts a method of selecting optimum clothing style based on individually-assessed body type  10 . The process includes a shopper  20 . The shopper  20  may include, but is not limited to, the ultimate purchaser and user of the clothing or a personal shopper employed for purposes of selecting clothing for a client. The shopper  20  then interacts with a retail entity  22 , which may include, but is not limited to, a brick-and-mortar retail establishment and/or a web-based (on-line) application administered or used by a retail establishment.  
       FIG. 1  further depicts the shopper  20  interacting with a retail entity  22 , which provides a body-type identification system  24 . The body-type identification system  24 , may be provided in association with SHAPES™ brand retail services and products. The body-type identification system  24  involves assessment of at least one perceivable body type  26 . Body types are perceivable at least two-dimensionally  28 . Examples of two-dimensional representations of body types may include written descriptions, including but not limited to, literature describing dimensions, colors, and shapes; books; advertising and promotional materials; pamphlets; questionnaires and other written tools. Body types are further perceivable at least three-dimensionally  30 . Examples of three-dimensional representations of body types may include, but are not limited to, labels, mannequins and other physical tools and representations that inform perception of a three-dimensional body type.  
       FIG. 1  further depicts the retail entity  22  providing an association of an optimally-suited clothing style with the perceivable body type  32 . The retail entity  22  may establish such an association through study, consultation and/or advisement with persons of ordinary skill in the art to determine the optimally-suited clothing style with the perceivable body type  32 . Such persons of ordinary skill may include, but are not limited to, fashion design experts and personal stylists.  
       FIG. 1  further depicts that the shopper  20  assesses and selects individual body type and subsequent optimally-suited clothing item  34 . The assessment is based on the shopper&#39;s determination of a perceived body type  30  and specific physical characteristics selected by the shopper. The subsequent selection is based on the aforementioned determination of perceived body type  30 , coupled with the aforementioned retail entity&#39;s association of the optimally-suited clothing style with the perceived body type  30 .  
       FIG. 2  provides exemplary perceivable body types  26 , including, but not limited to, type G, type P, type A, type L, and type C, as described therein. Exemplary perceivable body types  26  may further include, but are not limited to, colors. Examples of colors may include, but are not limited to, blue, red, green, purple and orange. Exemplary perceivable body types  26  may further include, but are not limited to, combinations of shapes, colors and written and physical descriptions as referenced herein.