Wearable technology is not something many people want to wear as an everyday item. When thinking about it, the first thing that comes to mind is wrist-worn devices, most of which are not considered fashionable. However, it is not all gloom. There are fashionable wearable tech brands in the market and here is a list of a few:
1. Levi’s and Google Project Jacquard
This kicks off the list of fashionable wearable technology. Levi’s Commuter Trucker Jacket is a fashion piece that is bound to interest urban cyclists. The left cuff features conductive yarn which enables the user to perform various functions such as changing music tracks or receiving calls. This is achieved using gestures such as tapping and swiping. The jacket stands out since it is both stylish and functional.
2. The Unseen for Selfridges
The Unseen, a London-based fashion brand, is different from most of the rest as it has launched its products to the market. Among the products released under the Selfridges luxury accessories include a scarf, phone case, backpack and more. These are responsive to touch, wind, pressure, body temperature and sunlight.
3. Emel and Aris
Crowdfunding success saw Emel and Aris raise over £100,000 to be used to launch a smart coat. The smart coat line features outwear for both men and women. The coat houses intelligent heating technology. The coat is created using a lightweight polymer and utilizes far infrared (FIR) to produce heat that keeps the body warm and increases blood flow. It does, however, come with a battery pack that can be easily stored in the pocket.
4. Wearable Experiments
Wearable Experiments founder Billie Whitehouse unveiled the Fan Jersey ahead of the Super Bowl. The jersey is connected via Bluetooth and provides haptic vibrations to the wearer in real time during a game, making for a more immersed experience for the wearer. Whitehouse also launched a similar product in Europe for use in soccer.
5. Zenta
Zenta from Vinaya is the only wrist wearable on the list. Its crowdfunding campaign has seen over $100,000 raised, and the Indiegogo campaign is still ongoing. Zenta allows the user to reduce digital noise by remaining connected to only the most important smartphone notifications. It is also used in tracking emotion. This makes it useful in monitoring sleep quality and activity, stress levels, breathing patterns, emotions, and overall mood. Biometric sensing technology and machine learning help in improving the experience with time.
6. Thesis Couture
These have been touted as the first high-performance stilettos in the world. The high heels are a result of the work of a former SpaceX employee, an orthopedic surgeon, a rocket scientist, a mechanical engineer, an Italian shoemaker and shoe designer. The shoes are designed for comfort. This is achieved using a ballistic-grade polymer that reduces underfoot pain and a better shoe-platform angle that makes the heels feel an inch shorter. 7. VFiles_XO
Light up clothing is considered gimmicky by most people, but to generation Z streetwear shoppers, this ranks high on their fashion list. In line with this, XO joined forces with VFiles to launch a line for February’s New York Fashion Week. The clothing utilizes fiber optic technology. A cap and rucksack, scheduled to retail later in the year, will allow the user to change the colors and patterns to correspond to the music they’re listening to.
8. Bolt Threads
The San Francisco-based company shocked the world in 2015 as it announced that it was using fermentation vats to brew spider silk protein and spinning it into yarn. This level of bioengineering is an exciting development and sets a benchmark for future fashion trends. The products from the company are destined to hit the market in 2018, with a Series C funding bringing in $50 million to the company.
9. Spiber
Spiber is a Japan-based company that has also been carrying out research on the mass production of polymers engineered from spider silk since 2007. The company, working together with The North Face, have already launched The Moon Parka, a prototype jacket made from the polymer. The production version is expected in the market later in the year.
