The World Meteorological Organization announced that July was the 13th consecutive month that average temperatures rose.
Death Valley in California registered a record average monthly temperature of 42.5 degrees centigrade (108.5 degrees fahrenheit) and extreme heat warnings were issued across many European countries including Italy, Portugal, Romania and Cyprus.
Unless urgent action is taken to address the climate crisis, scientists predict that dangerously hot summers will continue to become the norm. Humanity must not only look to solutions to reverse our contribution to climate change but will also need to adapt to the conditions faced. This could have an impact on many aspects of our lifestyles, including the way we dress.
Trend forecasters and futurists predict that in the longer-term future, we’ll be demanding more from our clothing to combat these conditions. Simar Deol, foresight analyst at The Future Laboratory, says: “Consumers want products that can do more for them in the face of our looming climate permacrisis. Climate change, particularly hotter temperatures, is impacting fashion and brands will need to use disruptive thinking to explore new ways to upgrade product utility with enhancements that meet future needs.”
Three experts share their predictions for the future of our wardrobes in an overheating world.
Materials That Do More
While our clothing already provides vital protection from the elements, research and development into enhancing textile properties could be vital to our future. Some of this innovation is already here, explains Deol. “Making waves in the growing protective suncare market are early disruptors who are paving the way with innovative technology.”
Deol highlights brands such as US-based Claudent which offer stylish basics with a UPF50+ rating, meaning they block 98% of UVA and UVB rays. Meanwhile researchers at Auburn University in Alabama have invented a special knit material which can keep wearers safe from mosquito bites, helping restrict the spread of vector-borne diseases which are predicted to be on the rise with climate change.
Desert Dressing
It’s not just new innovation that will influence our style. Many cultures and societies have been living with extreme heat for millennia and have a lot to teach the rest of the world about dressing for it. Trend forecaster Ahaana Khosla predicts Bedouin clothing styles having a more widespread influence: “I think brands will draw inspiration from Bedouin clothing and choose to design loose clothing like kaftans, loose long dresses, wide sleeves and light, sun-reflecting colors,” she says.
Head coverings could also see a surge in popularity in countries that have traditionally been used to milder climates. “We’re already seeing a comeback of turbans and veils, but we’ll definitely see more normalization of those pieces as stylish elements that elevate an outfit, while also providing a much-needed, practical layer of sun-protection,” adds Khosla.
Made To Be Modular
“It’s not just that the climate is getting hotter, it’s also becoming more unpredictable. So, you may have one hot day, then the next day is cold, and so the styling might need to factor in some kind of modularity,” says futurist Geraldine Wharry.
With the need to preserve resources also, modular clothing allows wearers to purchase one item that functions in multiple scenarios via adaptable sections. Removeable sleeves, hoods or adjustable trouser leg lengths could become more common place in an ever-changing environment.
Wharry highlights some brands who are already experimenting which this idea such as Ukrainian designer DZHUS and Nike who introduced footwear that can be disassembled for repairing or recycling in 2022.
Cool Tech
Khosla also predicts we’ll see technology in-built to clothing to help us feel cool. “I think we’re going to see many brands push the envelope to create garments that use the sun as fuel to provide a cooling effect, similar to how solar panels convert sunlight into electricity. Imagine clothing that when worn and exposed to the sun, absorbs heat to provide a cooling effect, making us feel like we’re in air conditioning.”
Another similar solution to this might be in-built fans. While these currently exist, there’s a need for more style-forward application to encourage wider takeup. Khosla says: “I think we’ll definitely see items like the solar hat making a comeback. While they aren’t necessarily the most stylish, I think we’ll see new, modernized, more stylish versions of them, built in with fans and perhaps something even more seamless that works and feels like a fan but doesn’t actually look like one.”
