Functional apparel serves multiple purposes to offer comfort and safeguarding in diverse settings, compared with basic garments that serve limited functions. It utilizes specially designed fabrics and layer designs to perform tasks like shielding against radiation, fire, and severe weather conditions. The functional apparel is categorized into medical apparel, sports apparel, and protective apparel.
Activewear, favored for its comfort and flexibility, owes its attributes to materials used in its design, such as synthetic fabrics like polyester, nylon, cotton, wool, and graphene. Among these, polyester and nylon are utilized as the most prevalent materials in athleisure apparel, offering an optimal blend of desired properties.
Advancements in fabric technologies have led to more innovative and functional apparel. These include moisture-absorbing, temperature-regulating, and odor-resistant fabrics, which elevates comfort and performance for consumers. As per the recent study by Allied Market Research, the global functional apparel industry is anticipated to cite a notable CAGR throughout the forecast timeframe. The industry is gaining momentum due to the popularity of comfort clothing and fitness. The industry’s growth is further propelled by sustainable practices and the adoption of digital retail channels.
Futuristic trends in functional apparel:
- Smart textiles:
Electronic components integrated into functional textiles not only enhance user interactions but also have the potential to save lives. Numerous wearables monitor vital functions such as body temperature, heart rate, and GPS signals. Additionally, satellite systems enable rescue operations during emergencies in remote locations, showcasing the noteworthy capabilities of these technologies. The incorporation of the scalabilities into the textile material will contribute to the enhancement of these technologies.
Conductive yarn in smart textiles delivers data like ECG (Electrocardiogram) to a microcontroller through carrier connections consisting of conductive, embroidered yarn, which functions and demonstrates the information. Also, touch controls can be achieved by utilizing piezoelectric sensors in textiles.
Smart textiles have significant applications in various fields such as military settings, medicine, and sports. For instance, electrodes embroidered with moss can be integrated into functional sports jerseys, enhancing their functionality and utility in particular domains.
- Near field communication technology:
The original purpose of NFC chips was to mimic the production of counterfeit branded goods by embedding them into clothing. However, technological advancements have expanded the applications of these chips. Through the Near-Field Communication Protocol, devices like smartphones can seamlessly interact with these embedded chips. Once the chip gets scanned, users receive data from the creator, like weblinks, audio and video documents. This allows customer interaction, which can be utilized for marketing.
- 4D Printing:
In 4D printing methodologies, materials are initially 3D-printed with the capability to change over time or due to environmental influences. The leading brand GRDXKN has used the process in which polygons (Cross-linked) of polyurethane printed on fabric, undergoes thermoforming throughout the printing process and results in a three-dimensional figure.
- UV protection
Aluminum dioxide, silicon dioxide, zinc oxide, and titanium dioxide are among the inorganic semiconductors utilized as UV blockers. When these materials are in nano size, they exhibit high efficiency in absorbing and scattering UV radiation. The UV-blocking treatment for cotton fabric involves creating a thin layer of titanium dioxide on the surface of the treated cotton fabric. This application has provided a very high Ultraviolet Protection Factor (UPF), offering enhanced protection against harmful UV rays.
Functional apparel for athletes:
Athleisure wear, a rapidly growing category, has gained immense popularity influenced by widespread social media engagement. By combining athletics with leisure, athleisure has emerged as a top choice among the younger demographic. This surge in popularity is attributed to the increasing emphasis on a health-conscious lifestyle. Various fitness influencers actively promote activewear brands, effectively capturing the attention of their intended audience.
Sports-functional clothing refers to apparel specifically designed for sports and physical exercise. It distinguishes itself from casual clothing through features to enhance functionality and performance during athletic activities. Sports clothing needs additional stretchability, protection, comfort, high breathability, and vapor/moisture transfer coupled with wind proofing, UV protection, and waterproofing. Functional apparel offers the required anatomic fit and compression to an athlete.
Recent developments in the functional apparel industry:
PUMA India launched its first outlet in Maldives on 30th May 2022
A leading sportswear company PUMA India inaugurated its first store in the Republic of Maldives, marking its entry into this renowned holiday destination. The Maldives has experienced a substantial increase in inbound tourism over the last two years. This expansion makes Maldives the newest addition to PUMA India’s network, which involves 19 other countries comprising of Philippines, Vietnam, Thailand, Malaysia, Indonesia, and Singapore.
PUMA collaborated with Sonee Sports, a sports and lifestyle marketplace located in Maldives to introduce the brand in the island nation. With this collaboration onboard, the brand aims to expand its physical retail footprint while venturing into sports clubs, e-commerce, and other distribution channels within this evolving market. With an area of 1800 square feet, the first outlet in the Maldives will provide an elevated product display and unique shopping experience for customers. The store will sell accessories, apparel, and footwear for kids, women, and women for lifestyle requirements and sports.
Rich Mnisi and Adidas collaborated to introduce an apparel collection in Pride 2023
Adidas has revealed its latest collaboration for Pride 2023, collaborating with Rich Mnisi, the South African designer. The collection, titled ‘Let Love Be Your Legacy,’ merges lifestyle and performance apparel along with footwear. The collective aim is to champion allyship and encourage freedom of expression across all domains of sport and culture.
The Adidas and Rich Mnisi collection incorporate garments designed partially from recycled materials and in collaboration with Better Cotton. Continuing its dedication to promoting equality in sports, Adidas maintains its enduring partnership with Athlete Ally, a non-profit organization focused on eliminating homophobia and transphobia in sports. This sustained collaboration underscores Adidas’s commitment to making sports an inclusive and welcoming environment for all.
To sum up, the global functional apparel market is expanding rapidly with surging fitness awareness among individuals and is estimated to reach even higher with technological advancements in the future.
Read More: – https://www.alliedmarketresearch.com/functional-apparel-market-A06084
Author Bio– Gayatri Mohite is an emerging author who loves to explore new things. An addiction to reading motivates her to write. She also loves to sing, travel, and cook. A fresher who is constantly upgrading her skills has embarked on a new journey to touch up her expertise even more.
