The world is at the start of an aging society due to increased average life span and standard of living thanks to economic, social and medical developments. Advanced countries are already aging societies, with the population aged 65 or above taking up more than 7% of the total population, and Korea also passed the 7% mark in 2000. Population scholars predict that we will live in an aging society where 14% of the population are elderly by 2021("Aging society", n.d.). In an aging society, the senior generation is recognized as a generation with a high economic participation rate and purchase power, unlike existing generations, and there is a need for active counteraction to the demands of aging consumers(Kang, 2010). Amid changes in the population structure, the consumption market is expanding, focusing on the elderly and women, and an expansion of the women's body shaping underwear market is predicted(Attention-promising market in demographic change, 2012). The new senior generation, focusing on baby boomers, is especially active in society unlike past generations, and are divided as a new type of elderly generation that yearns for a comfortable and easy life and is highly interested in enjoying healthy senior years(Lee & Chun, 2012). The generation of elders aged 50 and above, categorized as the new senior generation, is a socially and economically stable generation, and not only places importance on changes in body shape, but also on elements like design and color that reflect their psychology and lifestyle, etc.(Cha, 2008). Product development for this generation requires multi-dimensional approaches from the socio-cultural and emotional aspects.

The functional underwear market is becoming active recently, focusing on the overseas clothing market, and the demand for elderly underwear is expected to grow in the domestic market, too(Lee & Chun, 2012). However, analysis of underwear related demands are currently limited to research and development with younger people as subjects, and there is a lack of studies that analyze the situation of wear by seniors and their needs, and research product development that reflects such analysis. Therefore, this study aimed to present designs for bra tops for the new senior generation based on analysis of bra wear and needs of women in their fifties and above, who are defined as the new senior generation, aimed for development of highly functional bra tops that consider the characteristics and needs of the particular generation.

Based on various views on the new elderly generation since people in their fifties with a high level of education and economic power have joined the senior generation since the 2000s, the new senior generation is defined as the baby boomer generation that has grown old -- i.e. those aged 50 or above who were born when World War II ended(Kang, 2010; Lee & Chun, 2012).

The new senior generation, focusing on young baby boomer senior citizens, have independent and confident consumption behavior. They are also not only recognized as smart consumers as they have been the leaders of economic activities in industrial society(Kim, 2011), but they can also be seen as the generation that has an independent and active role, unlike past silver generations. In addition, with improved awareness and economic level leading to improved levels of demands and expectations for higher quality of life, the new senior generation is participating more actively in society and their interest in clothing is also increasing(Kang, 2010). The new senior generation is a cautious and mature consumer group that plans purchases and makes their own purchases. They place importance on dignity, and want to look young but also have aesthetic desires and Western values, making them different from the existing silver generation. They are expected to surface as an important new consumer group in the future.

The new senior generation are intelligent and have a sophisticated economic mind, with interest in social issues. Clothing stores for seniors were first introduced in Korea in the 1990s, focusing on department stores, and the importance of clothing products that consider psychological and physical characteristics have been presented(Chung, 2004). The market scale of the silver clothing industry was 11,412 billion won in 2010, and is expected to grow to 3303 billion won by 2020(Kim, 2010). The underwear market, based on the expansion of the new senior generation clothing industry, is a sensitive industry through multi-dimensional approaches considering emotional and physical characteristics, and is expected to be a new opportunity for the underwear market in the face of an aging society(Cha, 2008). In Japan, highly functional bra brands considering matters such as the movement of joints and walking motions of senior women are rapidly increasing by 50-60% each year, and the purchase amount of underwear by married women between the ages of 55 and 64 is increasing so much that it is now around 60- 70% of the amount purchased by married women in their twenties and forties(Park, 2003). Expansions are gradually being made to the senior underwear market in Korea, too, through efforts such as developing bodywear that applies ergonomic patterns that reflect trends for women in their fifties and above. Importance of design elements such as supporting ease of putting on, application of physical changes, clear relaying of information and skin protection, and aesthetics is especially being highlighted for underwear design (Cha, 2008), and the market is expected to expand through development of clothing products for the new senior generation considering elements such as emotional and physical characteristics.

A survey was conducted from February 12, 2013 to March 15, 2013, to analyze the situation of bra wear and product needs and extract a basic design plan for bra tops for different age groups, with the aim of planning bra top products for the new senior generation. The subjects were new senior generation women in their fifties and above. A total of 220 surveys were distributed. 27 statistically insignificant surveys were excluded, and a total or 193 significant results were used for analysis.

SPSS 18.0 and Excel were used for statistical analysis. Frequency analysis and cross tabulation were applied, and a basic design plan for bra tops for seniors was presented based on the results.

Surveys in preceding studies(Choi, 1995; Kang, 2010; Kim, 2006; Kim, 2011) were referred to for the design plan of highly functional bra tops for the new senior generation considering bra wear and needs. 8 questions on current bra wear, 25 questions on inconveniences of bra wear, 20 questions on demands and needs, and 4 demographic questions were presented.

Based on the survey results on current bra wear, considerations and needs, a basic design plan for bra tops for different age groups was extracted and presented.

The demographic characteristics of the new senior generation women who participated in the study are as follows. 51% of the women were aged 50~54, and 72% said they considered themselves to be younger than their actual age. 79% of women between the ages of 50 and 59, 71% of women between the ages of 60 and 69, and 65% of women aged 70 and over were found to consider themselves to be younger than their actual age. The biggest difference between actual age and cognitive age was found in the 50- 59 age group, and the difference decreased as the age grew higher. 7.5% (n=11) of women in the 50-59 age group said they felt like they were 30-39 years old, and 11% (n=5) of women in the 60-69 age group said they felt like they were 40-49 years old. Most of the subjects (52%) lived in Seoul, and 76% said they earned their own income.

4.2.1. Bra wear according to age

As a result of comparative analysis of bra wear according to age, there were no significance differences. Most ages were found to wear just a bra.

4.2.2. Reason for wearing bra according to age

There were significant differences in reason for wearing a bra according to age. Those aged 50~59 said the biggest reason for wearing a bra was to prevent exposure and movement, and those aged 60 and above said the biggest reason was to prevent sagging.

4.2.3. Place of bra purchase according to age

There were no significant differences in place of bra purchase according to age. Most made their purchases at underwear stores or large discount stores, in order of frequency.

4.2.4. Inconveniences when wearing bra according to age

As a result of cross tabulation of inconveniences when wearing a bra according to age, there were significant differences according to age for the following elements - breast comfort, breast pressure, shoulder strap slipping, shoulder strap pressure and bra side pressure. Those in the 50~54 age groups found fit, wearing and taking off, breast comfort, shoulder strap slipping, discomfort from wire and sweat the most inconvenient, and those in the 55~59 age group

found fit, wearing and taking of discomfort due to back opening, cup fit, breast comfort, shoulder strap slipping and sweat the most inconvenient. Those in the 60~64 age group found breast comfort and side pressure to be the most inconvenient, and those in the 70 and above age group found breast pressure, shoulder strap pressure, wire discomfort and uncomfortable wearing and taking off to be the most inconvenient. All the ages found wires to be uncomfortable, but those in their sixties found it to be less of a problem, and those aged 70 and above found wires to be the most uncomfortable.

4.2.5. Points of consideration when purchasing bra according to age

As a result of analysis of multiple answers on considerations when purchasing bra according to age, those in the 50~54 age group were found to consider comfort, design and quality the most, and those in the 55~59 age group were found to consider comfort, price and quality the most, in order of most important. Those in the 60~64 age group found comfort the most important, and also considered price and design when purchasing a bra, in order of importance. Those in the 65~69 page group was found to place similar importance on price, quality, design, material and color. Those aged 70 and above placed most importance on price, followed by comfort, quality and material.

4.2.6. Areas of pressure when wearing a bra

There were no significant differences different age groups and method of bra wear for areas of pressure when wearing a bra. The biggest pressure was found to be under the breasts and the sides whether

or not there was a wire. In the case of a wire, the pressure was greater for areas other than the top of the breasts compared to no wire.

4.3.1. Desired cup shape according to age

Bra cup needs according to age are as follows. As a result of cross tabulation according to age, there were significant results for comfortable cup, cup that holds breasts, cup that lifts breasts and cup that holds breasts, and the results are show in the table below.

Those in the 50~59 age group had a tendency to pursue bra cups that are comfortable and gather breasts together, and those in the 60~69 age group tended to pursue cups that gather breasts together, lift breasts and hold breasts, showing a greater needs for breast shaping than other age groups. Also, there were no significant results, but those aged 70 and above had a tendency to pursue cups without a wire, showing that they find wires more uncomfortable than other age groups. Those in the 60~64 age group were found to

prefer bras with wires. This results is considered to be related to the results that the 60~64 age group has a higher interest in figure shaping than other age groups.

4.3.2. Specific reasons for pursuing bra according to age

As a result of analyzing type of bra pursued according to age, those in the 50~59 age group had a highest preference for fixed trap, and also preferred easy wearing and taking off, and a bra top that covers the breasts as specific design elements. Those in the 60~69 age group was analyzed to prefer figure shaping, covering the breasts, and covering the stomach and back. Those in the 70 and above age group preferred no pressure, easy wearing and taking off, covering the breasts and a bra top form.

4.3.3. Bra types pursued according to age

As a result of analyzing type of bra pursued according to age, those in their fifties wanted functional bras that are comfortable and hold the breasts, those in their sixties wanted shaping bras that

shape their figure, and those aged 70 and above had a high preference for comfortable bras that cover the breasts. This confirmed the analysis of bra shape needs.

This study aimed to propose functional bra top designs for the new senior generation aged 50 and above, based on the bra wear and needs analysis of different age groups.

As a result, those in their fifties were found to wear bras to prevent exposure and breast movement, and inconveniences were found to be bad fit, difficult wearing and taking off due to the bad cup fit, uncomfortable breasts, and slipping strap. Elements considered for purchase were comfort, price, design and quality, and they were found to have needs for a bra cup that is comfortable and holds the breasts, and fixed shoulder straps. Therefore, the bra top for the 50~59 age group was designed as a non-pressure active style bra top that has no wire and is guarantees comfort and free movement, but covers the breasts.

Those in the 60~64 age group was found to wear bras to prevent sagging and exposure, and because of habit. When making a purchase, they considered price, quality, design, material and color. In the 60~69 age group, their biggest inconveniences were breast comfort and pressure at the sides, and they had a tendency to pursue bra cups that hold the shape of the breasts. They also pursued forms that shaped the stomach and back, and had a greater need than other age groups for breast and figure shaping. Therefore, the bra top design plan for the 60~69 age group was proposed as an allin- one foundation type that has no wire and is shape the breast, stomach and back.

Those aged 70 and above said they wore bras to prevent sagging, and major points of consideration were price, comfort, quality and material. They felt the most discomfort from pressure, wire and inconvenient wearing and taking off, and had a tendency to pursue cups without wires. The needs of those in their seventies and above were analyzed to be no pressure, easy wearing and taking off, covering the breasts and a bra top form. Therefore, a comfort bra top that covers the breasts and provides comfort with no wires was designed.

This study is significant in that it analyzed current bra wear and bra wear related needs of the new senior generation and extracted designs based on the findings. However, the spread of age and area was not wide but focused on the needs of the new senior generation in the metropolitan area, and there is a need for wider research on expanded areas.