Smart fabrics for the future of textiles

Clothing has long been much more than just a fashion statement that makes us feel good. Over time, the fabrics used to make clothes have advanced to provide warmth, protect from the cold or rain, and more. However, today, the smart fabrics that already exist go much further. They eliminate bacteria, prevent sweat and moisture, protect from the sun, and are even capable of preventing injuries. And these are just some of their amazing functions! They are already known as miracle fabrics, and we want to tell you about them today.

What is a smart fabric?

A smart fabric is one that is capable of altering its own nature to respond to different external stimuli, whether physical or chemical. It has the ability to modify some of its properties to provide benefits to those who wear it. Doesn't that sound incredible? Although they are often hailed as the textiles of the future , the truth is that they are increasingly present in the market and are becoming easier to obtain. The military industry is primarily responsible for the existence of so many types of smart fabrics and their presence in our lives. Today, we can recognize three main types:

Passive . These fabrics only perceive external changes, but they can't adjust to them for an effective response. That is, they can prevent these external factors from harming us, but they don't modify themselves in any way to better respond to them. These include antibacterial or anti-ultraviolet fabrics , among others.
Active . These are capable of perceiving and responding to changes. This type of smart textile includes memory fabrics, waterproof fabrics, or fabrics with heat storage , among others.
Ultra-intelligent . Advanced intelligence tissues adapt to external factors that can produce changes. They perceive changes, respond to them, and adapt through self-regulation.

5 smart fabrics that are setting trends in the textile industry

Although there are many smart fabrics on the market, research is ongoing to improve them and offer better performance every day. We'd like to mention at least five that are currently readily available, affordable, and highly effective.

Thermoregulatory fabrics

Intelligent temperature-regulating fabrics act in both directions, meaning they can regulate both heat and cold. This is why they are used in car seats, fishing vests, and medical personnel clothing. Its application to underwear is a breakthrough, as it repels moisture from the intimate area and offers greater comfort. This is the case with Abanderado's X-Temp® fabric (made under license from HBI Branded Apparel Enterprises, LLC. X-Temp® is the trademark of HBI Branded Apparel Enterprises, LLC), made with 100% natural cotton with active thermoregulation that will keep your intimate area dry and safe. This technology absorbs moisture so that the skin doesn't notice it. tejido inteligente termorregulador xtemp

tejido inteligente termorregulador xtemp

Fabrics with memory foam

These types of textiles can change shape or size, and even modify their internal structure , when subjected to external stimuli. Their most striking feature is that when the external stimulus ends, the fabric returns to its original position. This is a fabric used in mattresses and pillows and has already begun to appear in various clothing items, including underwear. Until now, within the textile industry, one of its most common applications was in the insoles of different types of footwear , which allowed for a personalized and much more comfortable fit.

Color-changing fabrics

Color-changing fabrics can do so in response to various external stimuli, such as changes in sunlight, the wearer's body temperature, wind, or humidity. In recent years, examples have been seen in outerwear that changed color for a purely aesthetic purpose. Sweaters, bags, and T-shirts were susceptible to this color change caused by chemical nanotechnology applied to the inks. Among the most common were thermochromic dyes , which caused the garment to change color with a change in temperature.

Antimicrobial fabrics

Antimicrobial fabrics are those that prevent bacterial buildup . This technology is very practical for underwear and garments that come into direct contact with sensitive areas of our body, such as the armpits, for example. Antimicrobial fabrics are widely used in mattresses today to prevent the buildup of mites. At Abanderado, we've incorporated this into our garments through TENCEL fabric , which you can find in undershirts within our eco-friendly ECOSMART line.

Electronic fabrics

Electronic fabrics, or e-textiles, are the most sophisticated on this list. They are born from the union of textiles and microelectronics, so they include some flexible electronic components and devices . Sensors and microchips are the most common elements, which allow stimuli to be analyzed and a response offered. Some examples that can be found on the market today are those garments with a health-focused objective , such as monitoring heartbeat, blood pressure, or body temperature. Did you know about all these types of smart fabrics? Technology is advancing by leaps and bounds, and the textile industry isn't far behind. If you want to experience the benefits of these advances firsthand, why not try our X-TEMP® underwear?