Smart Apparels:
We are a generation of creative people who have a pragmatic approach towards
innovation and this era is sure to go down in history as an epitome of technological
advancements. Technology has become inseparable from our lives and body which
has influenced even the way we dress giving way to utilitarian fashion. After the
huge success and skyrocketing sales of fitness wearables, apple watches, Fitbit, etc,
the fashion world has evolved and shifted towards wearable fashion technologies
like smart apparels, e-textiles, etc.
Smart fabric and how they work:
A recent survey by the World Economic Forum (WEF) reveals that 92.1 per cent of
corporate leaders believe 10 percent of people will wear clothes connected to the
internet by 2025, and 85.5percent believe 105 per cent of eyewear will be
internet-connected. It's quite amazing how smart clothing has drastically impacted
the fashion industry. Smart apparels are sensor-based and this new generation of
clothing will redefine the industry of fashion and health. These so-called smart
fabrics can track data and interact with the person in the environment that the user
resides in, naturally, this will increase the number of applications based on
technological fabrics. There is a micro-sensor that serves as an additional element
that allows these fabrics to read the body heat and movements of the wearer, it
allows the wearer to receive the data in real-time. Smart apparels are durable, as
well as the fact that integrated sensors are diminutive and washable, so the user has
no reason to stress about dry cleaning. There has been an upgrade in smart fabrics
which serves its purpose to charge mobile devices. This unique technique is
leading the fashion industry and people who are willing to invest in this
technology. Customers are interested in functional aspects of clothes and they are
more than happy to invest their money if these apparels have additional functional
features.
Meanwhile, electricity-conducting fabrics are also being developed and they are already available in the market. Though the main purpose is to detect the body
temperature and provide comfort to the wearer, these smart clothes can even
function as integrated music player at the same time which goes way out of the
norm. The new smart apparels and fabrics didn't exist in the market until recently
with the rise of ubiquitous usage of social media and digital platforms, because
these advancements have made customers pretty conscious of their environment
and fashion becomes not only a means for expressing their exuberance, but also for
staying connected as a whole. And technology is the glue that holds these two
dimensions together. Through intelligent designs, these smart clothes have been
developed to adjust basic elements such as temperature, odour and making them
sensitive to touch.
Future of Smart apparels:
Conglomerate tech giants like google have shown keen interest in the development
of smart apparel that can turn plants and jackets into touch panels for mobile
devices. This fabric is conductive, which allows user to access their smartphones
by just sliding their hand along the fabrics. Apparel and accessories in the future
will be smart and functional. Fashion is no more about just style and comfort but
also about technology and staying connected. It is not going to be long before
wearable technology and smart clothes become a norm rather than a fashion
statement. It is a pleasure to be in touch, literally.
https://www.wareable.com/vr/machina-smart-clothing-vr-computex-8889
https://fashionunited.uk/news/fashion/innovative-smart-clothing-changing-more-th
an-just-athletics/2019041542695
https://www.ispo.com/en/markets/clothing-future-how-smart-textiles-shake-sports-
market
(Image source : Google and H&M's Ivyrevel coded couture project | Source: Courtesy)
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