There is a strong relationship between textile materials and its quality. Quality of textile materials is manifested in different ways such as aesthetic appeal, feel or hand, etc. It is basically judged by how a textile material feels when touched or handled. It is also judged by the comfort experienced. What does comfort mean? The term comfort is described as “the lack of unpleasantness” according to some experts. Comfort is a condition or feeling of pleasurable ease, well-being, and contentment. There is general acceptance that the transfer of heat and water vapor through a garment are possibly the most significant factors in clothing comfort.
According to a recent study, thermal Fabrics equilibrium is the most significant and the only one standard of comfort. It is clear that the state of comfort can only be attained when the most complicated interactions between a range of physiological, psychological, neurophysiological and physical factors have taken place in a satisfactory manner. Through combination of impulses passed through the nerves from a variety of peripheral receptors like visual, auditory, smell, taste and touch in the brain, the comfort is realized. Amongst them, clothing comfort is mainly connected with skin sensory systems.
The clothing comfort can be segregated further into three groups.
1. Psychological comfort
2. Tactile comfort
3. Thermal comfort
Psychological comfort
It is mostly related with the visual appeal which covers size, fit, color, luster, style, fashion compatibility etc.
Tactile comfort
Tactile comfort is related to fabric surface and mechanical properties.
Thermal comfort
Thermal comfort is connected to the ability of fabric to maintain the temperature of skin during transfers of heat and perspiration generated within the human body. There are two aspects of wearing a comfort of clothing:
. Thermo-physiological wear comfort which involves the heat and moisture transfer characteristics of clothing and the manner that clothing facilitates to maintain the balance of heat of the body during various activity and movement.
. Skin sensational wear comfort which is connected with the mechanical contact between the fabric and the skin, its smoothness and flexibility in movement and its lack of prickle, irritation and sticking when damp.
Clothing comfort
Now comfort is considered as a primary aspect when a textile product is valued. The comfort characteristics of fabrics mostly depend on its structure, kind of raw material used, weight, moisture absorption, heat transmission and skin perception. Clothing comfort can be classified under two broad sections: