Measuring long-term perceived quality in sports t-shirts: A comparison of two study designs

This study aims to close the data gap on the long-term post-purchase garment quality for virgin and recycled polyester sports t-shirts. Long-term overall and perceived quality was assessed through both a real-life year-long wear trial as well as in a laboratory-based, in-store scenario, after repeated washing. Three research questions were addressed: 1) Does the quality perception of virgin and recycled polyester sports t-shirts change with prolonged wear and repeated washing? 2) Is there a difference in the perception of t-shirt quality between a real-life wear test and a laboratory-based, instore scenario after repeated washing? 3) Does the use of different types of recycled and virgin polyester affect the quality perception of sports t-shirts? The quality ratings obtained from the two study designs showed that polyester sports t-shirts were of consistent quality over a one-year wear period and up to 52 wash cycles. Significant differences in the quality rating between the study designs were found only for virgin polyester sports t-shirts. The more pronounced use of tactile cues in the in-store scenario is one explanation for the differences in quality ratings between the two study designs. There was no difference in quality ratings between virgin and recycled polyester sports t-shirts collected during the wear trial, and recycled polyester sports t-shirts performed even better in the in-store scenario after repeated washing.