Women's Attitudes Toward Cotton and Other Fibers Used in Wearing Apparel

Excerpts from the report: In recent years, consumption of manmade fibers as a proportion of total fiber consumption in the United States has increased considerably. This has made it necessary to update existing evaluations of markets for natural fibers as compared with synthetic fibers. Persons interested in improving natural fibers and in maintaining or increasing their use need information on changing consumer attitudes. The major purpose of this study is to provide information on the beliefs and attitudes of women about cotton and its competitors in the clothing they wear for warm weather. Having access to such information, those concerned with cotton production and manufacture can direct their laboratory research and public information efforts more closely toward strengthening their position with consumers. A sample of women between 18 and 65 years of age living in private households in the United States was selected by the area probability method. A total of 2,909 women were interviewed in person in their homes during October and November 1965. A more detailed discussion of the sample may be found in the appendix.