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What functional
clothing Actually is?
clothing Actually is?
WHAT FUNCTIONAL CLOTHING
ACTUALLY IS?
ACTUALLY IS?
During the preparation of our new project called TECSAURUS as a database and educational platform for functional clothing we asked ourselves: what functional clothing actually is? How to determine this concept to be understandable for everybody, to explain the term to a new reader, and collect knowledge in a single system for the already experienced one?
What are the main functions that functional clothing should provide? Which characteristics should it have? Which fabrics are functional? Does it mean that functional clothing must be only for some purpose or it can look good? Let's try answering all of those questions with our article.
All pictures are made by TECHUNTER Media.
All pictures are made by TECHUNTER Media.
Functional clothing is considered to be one, which purpose is to satisfy the need for functionality and adaptivity to certain conditions. Previously, having such clothing was the privilege of the most active human activities: military industry, sports, technical workers etc. However, in our new reality, any borders are erased and now all these privileges are available to the ordinary urban user.
The best designers and textile engineers in the world are working on the production of advanced functional clothing, and a huge amount of money is spent on the development of new and innovative materials and technologies in the largest military, sports, and outdoor companies. After some time, these technologies become available to a wide audience and are used in the production of urban and casual clothing. Our new project is a starting point in your research of everything related to this phenomenon.
The best designers and textile engineers in the world are working on the production of advanced functional clothing, and a huge amount of money is spent on the development of new and innovative materials and technologies in the largest military, sports, and outdoor companies. After some time, these technologies become available to a wide audience and are used in the production of urban and casual clothing. Our new project is a starting point in your research of everything related to this phenomenon.
Basically, functional clothing should provide comfort and protection from external conditions. Depending on the purpose, such clothing can have a wide variety of functions: retain or release the accumulated body heat, provide freedom of movement, be tactile pleasant, durable, resistant to wear, environmentally friendly, recyclable or biodegradable, protect from precipitation and wind. In some cases it can have extreme functions: protect from fire, radiation, microbes and viruses, accumulate, emit and reflect light, provide support for a person with medicine, and much more.
Clothing that matches one or more of these functions can be considered functional.
Now let's dive deep into the key features of functional clothing.
Clothing that matches one or more of these functions can be considered functional.
Now let's dive deep into the key features of functional clothing.
1
LAYERS
Key features
Behind the entire industry of functional clothing (technologies aside) there is layering – a system, that combines different pieces to perform specific functions: one takes moisture away from the body, the other one keeps it warm, and the third protects it from wind, rain etc.
The layers complement each other or work by themselves; they can be combined, depending on the weather: something to wear when it's cold, or removed when it's hot. The result is that you are always ready for anything challenge that mother nature throws to you.
Three layers are used as a basis:
For each of them, clothing is selected according to the intensity of physical activity and the season/conditions.
BASE LAYER
Absorbs excess moisture from the surface of the skin and quickly removes it to the outside of the material for further evaporation.
MIDDLE LAYER
Retains body heat to keep you warm, but also breathes to continue to draw moisture even further away from the body.
OUTER LAYER
Protects you from the external environment (wind and precipitation) while brings out the moisture evaporated from the body as the latest checkpoint.
2
FABRICS
Key features
Modern materials used in functional clothing and equipment are the result of many years of R&D. There are a bunch of fabrics used as different raw materials, such as nylon, polyester, cotton, wool, graphene, aerogel and many others, as well as different combined types of these materials such as membranes, fleeces, softshells etc.
MEMBRANE
Membrane is a barrier that lets some substances out and does not let others through. Those are designed to beat the elements – rain, snow, wind. These fabrics are distinguished as laminates (layered structures with a whole layer of membrane glued from the inside to the outer layer; laminates are much more durable) and coatings (liquid solutions applied to the inner surface of the fabric; the easiest and least expensive way).
SOFTSHELL
The idea for softshell came from the classic 3-layer clothing system, actively promoted in the outdoors for many years – external protection + insulation + moisture removal. Softshell provides enough water repellence and breathability, which is very important for activities such as skiing, backcountry and snowboarding. Depending on the model you choose, wind and rain protection can vary greatly. Most models are designed as wind resistant, but not windproof. Same for waterproofness.
SOFTSHELL
The idea for softshell came from the classic 3-layer clothing system, actively promoted in the outdoors for many years – external protection + insulation + moisture removal. Softshell provides enough water repellence and breathability, which is very important for activities such as skiing, backcountry and snowboarding. Depending on the model you choose, wind and rain protection can vary greatly. Most models are designed as wind resistant, but not windproof. Same for waterproofness.
FLEECE
Fleece is a family of synthetic fabrics with an eye-catching structure. It's a technological substitute for traditional wool as an insulation layer. Fleece repeats the structure of wool and provides comparable thermal insulation: its pile forms the tiniest "pockets" that keep the air in. At the same time, fleece fabrics consist of hydrophobic fibres, which make those pieces sweat-resistant.
3
SPECS
Key features
Man is one of creatures, whose body strives to keep its own temperature constant regardless of the environment. That's why it's so important to keep up the whole process of thermoregulation. You shouldn't overheat because your clothes aren't breathing or get supercooled because it let wind and precipitation through. Technological fabrics and those stunning performances are designed to make things easier with dozens of specs – especially the breathability & waterproofness.
Breathability
Breathability means fabric has minimal resistance for moisture evaporation from the surface of the skin and ability to transport it to the outer fabrics; therefore, moisture escapes without leaking excess heat. Most often, vapor permeability is measured in g / m² / 24 hours i.e. the amount of water vapor that will pass through a square meter of material per day. This parameter is indicated by the abbreviation MVTR ("moisture vapor transmission rate").
Waterproofness
Technically, all kinds of fabrics can be considered "waterproof" until water pressure begins to leak or cut it through. However, they are divided into "water-resistant", "waterproof" and "water-repellent". Data from the so-called "hydrostatic test" is used worldwide to determine the fabric's waterproofness. In an area of 1 cm², a special device creates a pressure equivalent to the pressure of a water column of a certain height, which is measured in millimetres. And finally, we get those 10'000 / 20'000 / 30'000 mm waterproof laminates.
4
CUT
Key features
Product design plays an important role in the functionality of clothing. Sometimes, cut & sew solutions are able to give garments a distinctive look and functionality at the same time.
Sportswear is created taking into account what physical activity it will be used for. The design of the kimono implies absolute freedom of movement, so it is created with the most free cut. At the same time, the cyclist's aero suit should provide maximum aerodynamics and reduce air resistance, so it is created taking into account the ergonomics of athletes and works, in fact, as a second skin. Motorcycle racers must be protected from injury by the possible falls, so clothing for them is designed with reinforced inserts on the most vulnerable parts of the body, while running clothing should be light and made primarily from lightweight and breathable fabrics.
Urban clothing can also have its own design features that are necessary for everyday use: a hood against sudden weather deterioration, a mask built into the collar against polluted air and viruses, articulated elements (knees, elbows, shoulders), and adjustable elements (ties on the cuffs, hood, hem of the jacket) for comfort of movement, numerous pockets for convenient organizing of the necessary items, and many more.
Urban clothing can also have its own design features that are necessary for everyday use: a hood against sudden weather deterioration, a mask built into the collar against polluted air and viruses, articulated elements (knees, elbows, shoulders), and adjustable elements (ties on the cuffs, hood, hem of the jacket) for comfort of movement, numerous pockets for convenient organizing of the necessary items, and many more.
5
APPEARANCE
Key features
The way clothing looks is just as important as the fabric it is made of. With the popularization of visual culture in the 21st century, the appearance of pieces can be both an element of originality and self identification of the owner, and meet a certain function.
Modern technical materials can be subjected to a special processing to obtain a certain color or texture. Experiments with dyeing, applying prints and logos using various techniques adds originality and attractiveness to products for modern users.
At the same time, the external distinctive features of materials can meet specific functions: light-reflecting and light-accumulating fabrics are used for the safety of users in the dark, while camouflage patterns are needed to blend in with the environment.
Modern functional clothing is a fusion of all these elements in different variations. It is a deep and interesting subject for research.
Explore each element individually or in a cluster, in more detail or on the surface – your choice. From our side, we will provide all necessary tools and information for your research.
Good hunting.
Explore each element individually or in a cluster, in more detail or on the surface – your choice. From our side, we will provide all necessary tools and information for your research.
Good hunting.
