摘要
The study investigates women＇s perception of the workwear, and their awareness about how garment fit can affect one＇s body image. Drawing on the theory of practice, we propose an ethnographic account of women＇s perception of workwear and their preferred alternative. The study presents a comparative perspective of attitudes, and perceptions about the workwear of women in South Africa and Uganda explored through the habitus. We present pro-vocal recollections of women perceptions on the current workwear ideal for men which omits women＇ body physique. In particular, from the current personal protective equipment （PPE）, we examine ＂the overall＂ common attire at site and an integral part of the PPE. Overalls are designed following the men＇s physique, and women in work place are subjected to put them on yet, differences in body structure/shapes amongst women, namely, hour glass, bottom hourglass, spoon, and pear shape, are hardly considered. The identification of different female body shapes is made possible through the 3D anthropometric measurements using a Three Dimensional （3D） Body Scanner （TC2）. We develop endogenous explanations of what women would want to see as workwear based on the understanding of women found on site in men＇s workwear or without any work weal- in South Africa and Uganda. Using ethnographic design approach, we capture voices of 10 women from South Africa and Uganda through participant observation and unstructured interviews. We analyze data thematically to determine the patterns of their responses toward an appropriate workwear. Moreover, we （re）construct these responses into possible design models that would be ideal workwear for women, which gives them the pride, respect, dignity, and confidence as women.
