Not so long ago, I, ChaoSaDDict (stylized), began obsessing over this term from the fashion world and the kind of images it showed when searched. It felt like a style statement straight out of sci-fi movies, anime, and games. What makes the experience more intriguing is the fact that when you go deep into your research, you realize that this genre of fashion has more of a cult following with fans actively engaging only on Reddit forums. Then you have a few dedicated souls doing reviews on YouTube and of course, plenty on Instagram and Pinterest sharing styling ideas.

Definition
Technically, "Techwear" is not a dictionary word, at least not yet, or when this blog was written. The coining of the word/term "Techwear" is rather evolutionary and is a resultant derivative of an anthology of definitions on experimental fashion. To further narrow it down within experimental fashion, the definitions that specifically dealt with the fusion of utility and style. There are plenty of sites attempting to elaborately describe 'Techwear' or 'Tech Wear', and they do so quite well. So I'm not going to reattempt that but continue with an assumption that you get the general idea.

Style Inspiration
It wouldn't be far-fetched to say that the primary design influence could have been from military and tactical gear, which often incorporates elements like straps, buckles, webbing, and utility pockets, to render a rugged and utilitarian aesthetic. The approach is mostly minimalist and sleek with clean lines and a predominantly monochromatic color palette. The focus is on simplicity and functionality rather than excessive decoration. The priority for techwear garments is utility and performance so more often than not, despite being minimalist, they end up incorporating features like multiple pockets, hidden compartments, adjustable straps, and modular designs that allow further customization and versatility.

Experiments
Garments combining the elements of functionality and futuristic style? Yea, it's not an alien concept, and definitely not new. Many brands have been doing this for years in one form or another. In fact, any clothing brand that has cropped out of an idea of protection deals with a lot of tech-related R&D to develop their offerings. However, these protective gears or clothing may not necessarily be fashionable; or let's say not fashionable in ninety percent (no fcukin source/reason) of the cases. So you keep them for their functionality alone.

Similarly the same may not be the case with a regular fashion brand though, which mostly focuses on design and aesthetics only. You wish for an outlook of a certain manner and you just buy your fashion statement. It is, in most cases, absolutely unrelated to any functional requirements.

Then you get to the middle ground where you can combine the best of both worlds. Here's the caveat though - how much in-depth are you willing to go in each of the individual elements, i.e. 'fashion' & 'functionality'? Fashion may or may not come easy and I will not be the judge of that, but functionality is rather thought-provoking - the fundamental objective of the garment: whether it is for winter or summer, will it fight snow or the scorching heat, all-weather or only rainstorms, trekking or touring, yada yada yada! Based on this, the raw materials such as the fabric and accessories will differ. And, while the makers get deeply engrossed in all of these, many forget another significant element, i.e. 'comfort'. Comfort alone can be a buzzkill in the entire scheme of things. End users usually are quick in highlighting a negative experience; human nature eh! Unfortunately, in this case of 'techwear' experimentation, a user has to use the product sufficiently to highlight a striking discomfort. Hence R&D can be a time-consuming exercise.

What dafuq is with the pricing?
1. Techwear or Tech wear essentially uses technically advanced raw materials. As mentioned in the previous para, depending on the goal of the garment, the fabric can be durable, lightweight, breathable, moisture-wicking, and may also have properties like water resistance, windproofing, thermal insulation, etc. The finer details such as stitches, zips, drawstrings, must be durable to withstand the demanding design. Therefore, sourcing can be a royal pain (in the a$$) if the setup is not based on a mature marketplace.

2. Designing - With so much of the above going on, a techwear garment should still be ergonomic to facilitate enhanced freedom of movement and a comfortable fit. This necessarily calls for design features like articulated joints, gussets, or stretch panels for extra mobility. Many designs also include modular components or removable layers, allowing wearers to adjust their clothing based on weather conditions or specific activities.

3. Tech - What's techwear if there's no tech you ask? Well, it may not be the Internet of Things that influenced the definition of this type of garment but yes, today there are options with integrated tech like temperature regulation, RFID, wireless charging, heartbeat monitor, and a whole lot of other tech jargon.
Result - Yes, a pricey product! How pricey you may ask. Well, it depends, I would say. But there is one comforting factor in the price tag - the undeniable justification of time, effort, and money that goes into making such a garment. So the next time someone asks why are these things expensive, you know the answer. Brands with deep pockets can afford to do it well and they have successfully managed to transform some of their lines drastically and gained commercial success. Mandatory mention - At this point, it would be unfair to not name the brand that probably started it all (at least as per Internet University): ACRONYM. They may not have officially coined the term but they did everything else required to create a techwear in today's contemporary definition.

Epilogue
Techwear is undoubtedly gaining popularity among those who seek both style and functionality. This style game has been gaining traction and embraced by fashion enthusiasts, outdoor adventurers, and tech-savvy individuals alike. But, as much as we would like the fanfare to continue, there are haters dropping comments now and then about how techwear is a waste of effort, leading to pointless pricing. We're doing fine though. My obsession with this growing community is what made us, at the Department of Extremity, focus on Techwear as an offering. We've barely scratched the surface but we'll get there and get better with every release, I promise! Stay in touch. \m/