Objective Evaluation of the Fabric Handle ~Sensitivity (Kansei) Design of Textile Materials~

Comfort in clothing can be understood through three elements: the fabric’s handle (the tactile and visual impression of woven or knitted materials), ease of movement (perceived through the pressure of the clothing), and thermal sensation (understood through the thermal properties of the fabric such as insulation, air resistance, and thermal conductivity). Traditionally, these sensory elements have been evaluated subjectively, but recent advancements have made it possible to assess them scientifically. This study organizes the components that constitute clothing comfort, with a particular focus on objective evaluation methods for fabric handle. Specifically, it introduces the Kawabata Evaluation System (KES) for measuring physical properties and presents case studies on how handle quantification is applied in the field of smart textiles. Objective evaluation of fabric handle enables clothing design that aligns with users’ sensory preferences, serving as a key to integrating comfort, functionality, and aesthetic value. In the development of future smart textiles, handle assessment is expected to play a vital role as a bridge between sensory design and scientific analysis.