Women's Attitudes Toward Cotton and Other Fibers in Clothing

Excerpts from the report: Many and rapid changes have been occurring in the field of textiles: not only the creation of new fibers, but also the development of new methods of processing traditional fibers to increase their versatility and simplify their care. It is important to producers and manufacturers of agriculturally produced fibers to have up-to-date information about consumers' acceptance of these newer fibers and fabrics and about the effects which these innovations may have upon the market position of longer established materials. The purpose of this project was to collect information on: women's ownership of selected garments, their appraisals of different fibers, their adoption of informal attire for various activities, their problems in buying clothes, and details of their most recent shopping experience. The women interviewed in this study were representative of all women between 18 and 65 years of age living in private households in the United States. The 2,310 respondents were selected by area probability methods which assured equal opportunity of inclusion for all qualified people. Interviews were made in person at the homes of respondents in May and June 1959.