What is modular fashion: towards a common definition

Zhang, X ORCID: https://orcid.org/0009-0003-1722-6102, Le Normand, A, Yan, S ORCID: https://orcid.org/0000-0002-6683-2649, Wood, J and Henninger, CE ORCID: https://orcid.org/0000-0002-9978-5340 (2024) What is modular fashion: towards a common definition. Resources, Conservation and Recycling, 204. 107495. ISSN 0921-3449

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Abstract

Modular garments are defined as clothing items that can be dis/assembled into multiple parts without having to sew individual parts together. Instead, different parts (e.g., sleeves, collar) can be zipped or buttoned on to the main body. Modular garments have increasingly gained attention as a sustainable design strategy, as they (modular garments) have the potential to extend the lifetime of garments by exchanging modules and thus, also revolutionise business models and the way consumers shop. Although modular garments have gained increased attention, there is currently a lack of what ‘modular garments’ constitute, and this may differ from modular fashion. This paper provides a definition of modular garments and modular fashion by reviewing the origin and development of the term modularity. Although examples illustrating the concepts of modular garments and modular fashion are exclusive to modular outerwear, this paper provides a conceptual foundation for future research on modular garments and modular fashion.