If you ever watched any futuristic sci-fi shows (I see you, fellow nerds), the costume designers’ interpretations of what the future of fashion will look like has been surprisingly consistent: utilitarian, sleek, and highly functional. There are, of course, the classic Star Trek uniforms with sharp angles and strong shoulders; no curved hem or frivolous pleating for the crew of the Enterprise. Or Trinity’s sleek leather bodysuit and Neo’s all black uniform, sunglasses and enviable trench from The Matrix, or Milla Jovovich’s strappy white bodysuit from The Fifth Element.
“Consumers began desiring clothing to fit into their lifestyle instead of the other way around.”
When we picture clothing of the future, it is invariably pared down and simplified to allow the wearer the freedom to perform their duty and get shit done. Although it seems like futuristic thinking, for the past hundred years, consumers have been pushing for clothing to fit into their lifestyle instead of the other way around. Today, we’re calling it Technical Fashion; tomorrow, it will simply be known as “fashion”.
Last week in Paris, technical fashion brands descended on the City of Light to showcase the latest developments in their athletic wear lines. Brands like Hoka and other running-focused brands created events encouraging active engagement with the clothing to showcase how their brand perfectly complemented a consumer’s active lifestyle. Balenciaga recently launched a football (definitely do not call it soccer) inspired line just in time for the World Cup.
“We removed a huge part of the complexity of dressing and replaced it with long-wearing, sweat-wicking technical fabrics.”
Even as fashion critics predict the decline of technical fashion, designers are leaning more heavily into this sub-category, and consumers are responding in-kind. More brands are popping up with their own take on technical clothing, and we’re seeing more established brands dedicating air time to woo active consumers. Millennials want to go straight from a hike in the foothills to dinner without having to change their outfit. I know because I am one, and, even though I am a fashion-head, I still crave flexibility in my closet. This type of consumer is being given the choice between mainstream fashion and utility and are choosing utility every time.
As much as it may seem to be a Covid-fueled trend, this revolution has been brewing for over one hundred years. From 1926 to 2026, fashion has been turned on its head. One hundred years ago, women were still wearing corsets, ankles had been newly liberated, and pants were considered revolutionary. Propriety ate functionality for lunch. When riding, a woman sat perilously side-saddle for fear they would be considered unladylike for riding “astride”. Turns out, men have never liked anything with more girth between their lady’s legs.
"If we were to pluck someone out of 1926 and drop them into current-day fashion, we would appear to them like the cast of Star Trek."
With the collapse of the market in 1929 and the Second World War, utility raged to the forefront. In a military factory, long skirts were unrealistic, even dangerous. Ruffles and frills became unnecessary when they were covered in grease by the end of the day. There is a reason Rosie the Riveter is wearing overalls. Practicality was imperative. Next came the wave of denim in the 60’s and 70’s - hard-wearing, comfortable, and versatile. Denim was the Lounge Pant version 1.0. And so the trend continued. Consumers began desiring clothing to fit into their lifestyle instead of the other way around.
If we were to pluck someone out of 1926 and drop them into current day fashion, we would appear to them like the cast of Star Trek, jogging around in our pared down, minimized, and highly functional daily uniform. Over ten decades, women shed corsets, panty hose, and crinolines while we gained voting rights, birth control, and seats in the corner office.
We removed a huge part of the complexity of dressing and replaced it with long-wearing, sweat wicking technical fabrics which take us from the bike to brunch effortlessly. Our uniform is the yoga pant and matching longline bra.
Perhaps, Technical Fashion is no longer a relegated to the back corner. Maybe technical fashion is traditional fashion now, and we are witnessing the future of clothing. Clothing has been evolving toward greater utility for a century, and performance fabrics and deep cell phone pockets are simply the latest step in that evolution.
So, is Technical Fashion the natural next wave for fashion? What do you seek out most in your wardrobe - utility or beauty?
Until next time,
Elise
