Electrical and wireless technology has progressed massively in the past decade and all of us are excited about what the future will bring. Few associate clothing with high-tech, though recently there have been developments in the field of material technology which could soon affect us all! If scientists get their way, in the future your kids’ outfits could be very different from simple boys sandals and polo shirts. Intrigued? Check out how far our threads have come with these predictions for the future…
Woollen bullet-proof vests?Most of us are more used to wearing this natural fibre in the form of a cosy cardi, but wool could have more beneficial properties. Many bullet-proof vests are made from Kevlar, a synthetic fibre, though wool could soon be added to this to improve their energy and water absorption making bullet-proof vests lighter and cheaper.
Spray-on clothingBody-con clothing and jeggings have been on-trend for a number of seasons, but for a really skin-tight look how about spaying on your clothing!? One Spanish designer has managed to create spray-on clothing which can be removed, washed, worn again or dissolved. This innovative fashion idea is courtesy of Spanish designer Manel Torres, a former student of the Royal College of Art. He collaborated with a professor of particle technology at Imperial College London in order to provide a unique way of dressing, as well as hoping to contribute to the future of the medical, transport and chemical industries.
Eco-conscious garmentsBeing environmentally-friendly is an aim for many of us, and in the future this could easily extend to our clothing too. Scientists and designers are looking to developdevelop textile which do not harm the environment, using polymer chemistry which doesn’t depend on non-renewable energy-sources. Producing and using more manufactured fibers is also a goal for the future, as well as looking for more unconventional clothing fabric, like recycled products. Designer Anke Domaske has used milk to create a new fabric called QMilch and US-based clothing company StaWarm has created a line made from recycled coffee beans.
Keeping warmKeeping warm in sub-zero temperatures whilst wearing clothing that allows easy movement and mobility has been a tricky dilemma. A new material developed by sportswear company Hanesbrand aims to solve this, and provide the ultimate in cold weather insulation. Zero-Loft Aerogels is a thin, silica material that is made up of 90% air. It offers almost three times the insulation of traditional down, without being bulky.
Active smart-wearSmart clothing involves building computing technology into clothing which allow more comfort for the wearer. Just innovations include fabrics which sense the environment and react accordingly. Clothing that changes density depending on the temperature, jackets which store solar energy to be used as power and built-in sensors may all be arriving at a high-street near you at some point in the future!