An overview of smart technologies for clothing design and engineering

Purpose The paper aims to provide an overview of the area of smart textiles. Design/methodology/approach The paper describes and discusses new and developing materials and technologies used in the textile industries. Findings Significant progress has been achieved in the area of technical textiles. Fibres, yarns, fabrics and other structures with added‐value functionality have been successfully developed for technical and/or high performance end‐uses. The basic building blocks are already in place in the field of smart textiles and clothing. Practical implications As progress in science and engineering research advances, and as the gap between designers and scientists narrows, the area of smart clothing is likely to keep on expanding for the foreseeable future. Growth is predicted to occur in two distinct directions: performance‐driven smart clothing and fashion‐driven smart clothing. There are challenges that have to be addressed. Originality/value The paper provides information of value to those interested in the future directions of the textile industry.