At Blue Associates Sportswear, we understand that designing high performance sportswear garments is about more than creating eye catching designs. The process requires planning, testing, and refinement to ensure that every product delivers comfort, support, and functionality. Two essential steps in this process are the creation of garment prototypes and garment fitting sessions. While often underestimated, these stages are critical in developing sportswear that performs under demanding conditions while providing optimal comfort and style.
In this blog we’ll explore the importance of sampling and fitting sportswear garments, discuss the process behind prototypes and fittings, and explain why these steps are vital to the overall quality of your products.
Understanding Garment Prototypes
The journey from design to prototype involves several key steps. The process starts with finalising the design, including fabric selection, colour choices, and construction methods. Designers will consider not only the aesthetics but also functionality, and how the garment will perform during physical activity.
Once the design is finalised, skilled pattern makers translate it into a detailed pattern. This is the blueprint that defines the dimensions, shapes, and seam lines of the garment. The pattern is then used to create the first prototype.
A garment prototype is the first physical representation of the product, and is the foundation on which the final product is built. Prototypes allow both the designers and manufacturers to review the fit, construction, and functionality of a design before committing to the full-scale production.
Prototypes are very important in the development process, as they reveal potential issues early on in the process. For example, a fabric that looks to be a perfect choice in theory may behave differently once worn and during movement. By creating a prototype, these problems can be identified and corrected before moving further into the development. Prototypes also allow designers to assess the construction techniques, seam placement, and overall garment structure, ensuring that the final product will perform as intended.
Prototyping is essential not only to ensure the function of sportswear garments but also for aesthetic refinement. Subtle design elements, can make a significant difference in comfort and performance of a product. Small changes like a pocket placement can have significant difference in the comfort and performance of a product. For example, on an equestrian legging, a phone pocket would need to sit on the thigh to allow it to be used whilst riding. Assessing a prototype allows us to spot these sorts of issues early on and make quick changes.
Creating a prototype is not a one-time step. Often, multiple prototypes are produced to test different fabrics, trims, and construction techniques. Each version allows designers to refine the garment further, improving both fit and performance before the design moves to production.
For an in-depth look at the benefits of prototyping in fashion design, this guide offers excellent insights into why prototypes are indispensable in professional garment development.
https://www.uphance.com/blog/fashion-prototyping/
The Significance of Garment Fitting
Once a prototype has been created, the next essential step is the garment fitting. This stage involves testing how the prototype performs on real bodies. Fitting sessions are crucial for assessing comfort, mobility, and overall performance, ensuring that the sportswear garments meet the needs of athletes and active individuals.
Garment fitting allows designers to observe how the prototype responds to movement. For instance, a compression top may look great on a hanger, but when the model performs stretches, squats, or arm movements, issues like seam tension, fabric bunching, or restriction of motion can become apparent. By addressing these issues early, designers ensure that the final garment will perform correctly in real life scenarios.
Fitting sessions are also invaluable for refining the aesthetics of the garment. Proper garment fitting ensures that sportswear looks as good as it feels, enhancing wearer confidence and performance.
Do You Need a Professional Fit Model?
A common question we get is “Do I need a professional fit model?” The answer is YES!
Professional fit models are individuals who maintain very specific body measurements and they know how to provide precise feedback on garment fit and construction. They pay attention to subtle issues in a garment’s design, including areas that might cause discomfort or affect performance. This allows them to identify problems that most other wearers wouldn’t notice right away.
Fit models maintain the same measurements, which is crucial for ensuring consistency across multiple rounds of sampling and development. This consistency is especially important for garments that are close fitting, where even minor changes in body size can significantly affect fit.
At Blue Associates Sportswear, we always hire professional fit models for our fittings. This ensures that every prototype and garment undergo in depth evaluation, and that adjustments are consistent and reliable.
The Fitting Process: What Happens During a Session
A fitting session is more than just trying a garment on a model. It is a structured review process for each garment. Feedback is gathered not only from the fit model but also from the design team. This feedback is essential for refining the patterns, adjusting seam placement, and evaluating the fabrics performance.
Before the fitting session, it’s essential to measure the garment and compare it against the specifications in your tech pack. Doing this in advance makes it much easier to provide clear, accurate feedback to the factory and ensures that any adjustments are based on concrete data rather than guesswork.
During the session, the fit model wears the prototype and performs a variety of movements, such as stretching and squatting. Observations are made regarding how the garment moves, stretches, and interacts with the body. Designers will take note of areas that may cause discomfort, restrict movement, or affect performance.
Photos are an essential part of the fitting process, and clear front, back and side view photos will need to be taken. During the fitting process we assign one person to take notes, and one to take photos - to ensure we have all of the information we need to be able to communicate the changes to the factory. It’s also extremely important to take close up views of any issues or details that need attention, so these can be revisited again after the fitting.
Once a fit session has been completed and all feedback has been gathered, the next step is for the designer or developer to review and consolidate the comments. All observations should be documented clearly, and sketches must be updated to reflect any new specifications or design changes. Measurement updates should be recorded accurately on the spec sheet to ensure the correct changes are implemented. The revised tech packs, updated specifications, and consolidated review comments can then be sent to the factory to request another prototype, so that these changes can be reviewed again in garment form.
If you are interested in learning more about conducting effective fitting sessions, this guide provides detailed strategies used by professional garment technologists.
https://thefashionbusinesscoach.com/blog/fitsessions
Why Sampling and Fitting Are Critical
The impact of thorough sampling and fitting cannot be overstated. Ill-fitting sportswear can hinder performance, create discomfort, and even cause injury. A garment that is too tight may restrict blood flow or range of motion, while a loose garment may ride up or shift during activity, distracting the wearer.
Conversely, well-fitted sportswear enhances performance by supporting key muscle groups, reducing friction, and allowing a full range of motion. Athletes can focus on their performance rather than adjusting their clothing, which is why professional sportswear brands invest significant resources into prototype development and fitting.
These steps are crucial for brand reputation and customer satisfaction. Releasing sportswear garments without proper prototyping and fitting risks negative reviews, returns, and loss of trust.
At Blue Associates Sportswear, we are committed to excellence at every stage of production. Our meticulous approach to sampling and garment fitting ensures that every product we create is optimised for performance, durability, and comfort.
For more information on our design and manufacturing processes, or to discuss your specific sportswear needs, please contact us.
We can help you bring your vision to life with precision, expertise, and a focus on performance.