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If current research trends are reliable indicators, wearable electronics are becoming the next big statement in the realm of fashion. Not only will fabrics feature integrated gadgets, but the device may soon become the fabric itself. Much like technology, fashion quickly becomes dated and obsolete, fading from public interest. When people encounter bizarre new forms of technology that they find appealing, they may find them fashionable even though they may not be entirely useful. The very idea of technology has shifted meaning over the years, yet the denotation remains the same. A process as simple as weaving is taken for granted, but it is a form of technology; one that was revolutionary when first developed. We live in a world of high technology, in which computers are featured in the most basic appliances. As this technology becomes deeply ingrained in our culture, it takes on roles beyond which it was originally engineered for. More and more these roles have included that of aesthetic
enhancement and fashion accessory.

The development and manufacturing of electronic textiles has seen a massive surge in the last few years. On one end of the spectrum, we have more pragmatic uses like military camouflage and nano-fabrics designed to aid in the recovery of wounds. On the other end, there are the products of artists and designers known as “reactive clothes”, which form a second skin for the wearer and respond to changes in their environment. Over the last decade or so, the electronic industry has been influenced by fashion and the fashion industry has focused on the integration of electronics. As the two industries mesh, there is a creative dialogue taking place. Although these two fields have historically been somewhat disparate, they have now come to embrace one another. Some of the basic factors that are taken into consideration when designing with technology in mind are the feasibility of the supporting technology itself, the sustainability and durability of the end product, and finally whether or not the product would be truly desirable enough to warrant purchase. Wearable technology merges the cultures in an attempt to appeal to both the fashionistas and the digerati of the world. It serves as an intersection of personal, emotional and cultural expression.

A question as simple as “How old are your clothes?” leads one to think about how fashion has changed, but how utility has remained the same. Clothes still perform the same basic function of providing protection to the wearer that they have for centuries. Some clothes are highly specialized, such as the suits worn by bee keepers or hazardous material handlers. From these specialized needs have come many advancements such as zippers, waterproof fabrics and breathable cotton. Comfort is often just as important as function. The difference between flip-flops and dress shoes is obvious on a hot summer day. However, it is natural to realize that one of the most important functions of clothing in modern society is self-expression. In a world obsessed with individual as well as cultural identity, there is no easier way to give an immediate first impression than with your attire.

The majority of innovations in the fashion industry are centered on improving production techniques and streamlining distribution. Some time ago, there was a conference on fashion and technology in Milan. The conference was attended by some of the biggest names in fashion as well as some of the brightest minds in technology from MIT. The discussions focused on inserting Radio Frequency Identification (RFID) tags in t-shirts.

Many of the biggest clothing manufacturers spoke about how exciting it would be to introduce the RFID tags and track the sale of each line of item. But is this really the most effective use of the tags? Is a company’s bottom line more important than more creative forms of innovation? This may very well be one of the reasons that we are still wearing the same basic clothes that generations before us have worn. Technology has found its way into our eyeglasses, our watches and even into our bodies, so why is traditional clothing lagging so far behind? With such advancements as Bluetooth connectivity, podcasting and Wi-Fi hotspots, one would think that a more clever adaptation could be made for our clothing.

Many of the items that are casually labeled as technologically advanced are not very advanced upon closer examination. Portable technologically does not necessarily lend itself to being worn, yet companies conveniently interchange the two in an attempt to persuade the consumer. An iPod or PDA that is attached to your belt is not really something you wear, but rather something that is merely carried. Wearable technology should make life easier, not more cumbersome. Throughout the history of computing, we have witnessed the rehashing of existing ideas in more unique and fresh forms to captivate the attention of buyers. The wearable technology industry is going through a similar process.

The technology to allow for wearable devices has been around long enough to become practical, yet it lacks a solid design and fabrication to jump start what may very well be a hot new product. The fusion of design and technology can only be achieved if both the engineers and designers are willing to set their differences and egos aside and align towards a common goal. Do you really need to be sending email while skiing? Probably not, but the point of wearable technology is not about finding ridiculous mixes, but rather empowering people to experience a new way of using technology. Just because a gadget is compact enough to be integrated into clothing, doesn’t necessarily mean that it should be. Finding a balance between practicality, utility and self-expression is the challenge set forth for the pioneers of wearable technology. Once this balance is achieved, the possibilities are limitless.

Tags: Fashion, Fashion Gadgets, Fashion Technology Fusion, technology, Wearable Gadgets