Technology has touched all industries in all markets. It influenced how teachers present their lessons and helped medical professionals reach more patients without stepping one foot outside of their offices. It has even facilitated processes within the food industry.
Technology has even touched the fashion industry. From the time the first practical sewing machine was invented up to the present, technology has allowed clothing manufacturers to efficiently produce apparel. It also reduced costs.
With the latest developments in technology, industry watchers are already looking at some ways technology can influence trends in the fashion industry. Here are some of those trends.
Augmented Reality (AR) Shopping
Augmented reality (AR) is expected to modernize the fashion industry as it bridges the gap between online selling and real life. It allows customers to visualize how they look like when they try clothing without visiting the store physically. The technology will merge with virtual reality as customers will virtually put on the clothing they intend to purchase.
It gives people the ability to visualize beauty and fashion products in real-time in the comfort of their homes. AR can also enhance the retail experience and make it more engaging and interactive for the customers.
The experience is similar to the virtual tours real estate companies offer to potential homebuyers. In the fashion industry, shoppers not only see the products, but they also get to see how it looks like when they put it on. While the use of the technology in fashion is still in its infancy, it may soon see wider adoption among fashion industry leaders in the market.
Wearable Technology
Wearable technology has been one of the most recognizable examples of the integration of technology into fashion. This came after smartwatches, fitness trackers, and other wearable devices started coming out in the market. These types of wearable technology have been in the market for a long time.
But there is an emerging trend that is more than just wrist-bound. The latest trend uses nanotechnology on the textile or the materials used in manufacturing these products. For instance, a shirt can feature medical fabric electrodes that can monitor a person’s heart rate to predict or prevent heart disease. The technology can also integrate movements of the human body to produce the power used by these wearable technologies.
Electronic textiles can also integrate other functions that have more practical uses. For instance, it can create self-illuminating Guess handbags or pressure sensors to correct the posture of a person wearing clothes made using electronic textile.
Additionally, other new fabrics also go through specialized treatments that give them new features that weren’t available before. For instance, the fabric takes temperature regulation to the next level. They are also less absorbent and much quicker when it comes to drying up. These types of fabrics are ideal for activewear, which is a huge market with the increasing popularity of living an active lifestyle among many of the population these days.
These are all possibilities that have yet to fully materialize as research continues. But sooner or later people will see similar products in the market soon.
3D Printing
Aside from sustainability, customization is among the biggest needs of a modern consumer. In the past, people only had limited options with the products they will buy. But with the advent of 3D printing technology, consumers now have the option of buying what is available or have a product custom-made for them.
Modern 3D printing technology allows designers and manufacturers to create customized fashion accessories for their customers. They can create customized jewelry, footwear, and fashion accessories to meet the preferences of their customers.
They can also alter and modify the products in real-time and create prototypes that can be mass-produced later on. The technology is already making some waves in the footwear industry as Reebok and New Balance are using the technology to print shoe components, including soles and shoelaces.
Better Inventory Management
With e-commerce gaining popularity due to the pandemic, inventory management platforms have improved to a considerable degree. This improvement in inventory management benefits consumers since they will immediately know which items are currently available for them to buy. The system also allows consumers to track what they ordered in real-time, which improves customer experience while encouraging loyalty among the customers of the store.
This also benefits store owners since they can highlight the products that they are offering that are currently popular in the market. Additionally, a better inventory management system also allows store owners to improve their internal processes to allow them to serve their customers better.
Technology is expected to further enhance the fashion industry as it improves the products and the processes to bring it to the next level in the future.