Design and engineering of functional clothing

Abstract

The process of design and engineering of functional clothing design is based on the outcomes of an objective assessment of many requirements of the user, and hence tend to be complex and iterative. In this paper, the user requirements (besides the primary requirement of functionality) have been classified under four subtitles, namely physiological, biomechanical, ergonomic and psychological. The correlation between various characteristics of clothing and these requirements has been discussed. Subsequent steps involved in the ergonomic design process such as selection of materials, size and fit determination, pattern making, assembling and finishing have been listed out. Influence of technological advancements in related fields on each of these activities is discussed with a view to emphasise how the process of functional clothing design is different from design of everyday apparel. The fast developing field of functional clothing represents the future of textile and apparel industry, particularly in growing economies like China and India who will be the largest producers as well as consumers of these high tech products. Challenges being faced by this sector and a road map to meet the same have also been proposed.