Comparative Analysis of Upper Body Shape for Chinese and Bangladeshi Women Based on 3D and 2D Measurements

This study aims to compare the upper body morphology of young Chinese and Bangladeshi women and to evaluate whether existing garment sizing methods adequately accommodate population specific upper body shape characteristics. An integrated anthropometric approach combining three dimensional (3D) body scanning, two dimensional (2D) image based measurement, and manual anthropometry was used to obtain 16 upper body descriptors (dimensional, circumferential, thickness, and angular) from women aged 18–30 years in China (n = 189) and Bangladesh (n = 20). Descriptive statistics, principal component analysis (PCA), factor analysis, and K means clustering were applied to extract dominant morphological factors and classify upper body shape types, which were then interpreted with reference to national and international sizing criteria. In this sample of young women, Chinese participants generally exhibited broader shoulders, greater chest convexity, wider thoracic dimensions, and comparatively flatter waist–hip profiles, whereas Bangladeshi participants tended to show more sloping shoulders, thicker neck regions, reduced anterior chest projection, deeper waists, and more prominent hips. Three principal components and three upper body shape categories were identified in each population, but the key contributing variables and the distribution of individuals across clusters differed between countries. Current sizing systems cover most Chinese body types in the sample, though they do not fully address extreme proportions, while in Bangladesh, the lack of a unified national sizing standard appears to be associated with greater size–shape mismatches. This research provides a cross national, data driven comparison of female upper body morphology using combined 3D and 2D measurement techniques and a shared set of upper body descriptors. The results support the development of population adapted sizing systems and body shape oriented garment design strategies aimed at improving apparel fit, wearer comfort, and production efficiency.