WHAT IS TECHWEAR?
Techwear or urban techwear is one of the most fashionable clothing trends of the moment. It is mainly inspired by technical outfits as well as mountaineer's suits in order to give birth to a varied range of clothing with a refined style. Today, technology has made its way into this fashion, allowing us to admire creations with a futuristic look, which we discuss in this article.
TECHWEAR DEFINITION
Techwear refers to a category of clothing that includes special fabrics with advanced technologies, construction techniques that go beyond the traditional, as well as cuts that allow maximum mobility.
This new fashion ranges from trench coats made of breathable and waterproof materials, to waterproof sneakers, to seamless t-shirts.
We also sometimes talk about urban techwear when we talk about clothes designed for the city, but full of technicality.
The techwear aesthetic is strongly influenced by futuristic artistic styles such as cyberpunk (think Blade Runner or Ghost in the Shell). In execution, most techwear falls into one of two categories: "grey" (elegant, discreet, the familiar amplified) or "black" (striking, military-inspired). Nevertheless, there are different styles in techwear fashion that we will discuss a little later in this article.
TECHWEAR ORIGINS
The evolution of techwear as currently adopted comes from the technical clothing of mountaineers in the early 70s. These garments were designed to allow these extreme sportsmen and women to brave the weather as much as they could.🏔️
It will only be with the advent of Goretex jackets that this fashion will actually see the light of day. Thereafter, it will extend to the level of technique, technology and models available as in the case of swimwear for teenagers. Previously, to make a piece waterproof, it was necessary to "wax" the fabrics. This is a technique requiring the application of a coating on the fiber.
Today, waterproof and cushioned sneakers are commonplace. Skiers have the opportunity to have warm, light and breathable jackets. Sportsmen and women, on the other hand, are rushing for breathable T-shirts. There is also an urban techwear movement born from the unlikely crossover between the fashion industry and materials technology. This street-style perfectly combines form and implacability.
This clothing trend affects almost all clothes as well as various accessories. However, techwear enthusiasts tend not to dress 100% like this. They generally integrate only one or two pieces into their look.
WHAT IS TECHWEAR FASHION?
We will now discuss the different trends, styles and influences present in techwear. Here we will only focus on the subject we are interested in: fashion.
On the other hand, we will not deal with "techwear" in the general sense, i.e. every garment that has technical features such as firefighting equipment or aeronautics.
Casual Techwear
Also known as "performance menswear", this category is one of the most widespread and consumed. Often featuring rather classic designs, it can be worn every day, both at work and in leisure time.
The pieces can be ultra formal with blazers made of waterproof and breathable materials or rather casual with chinos made of water-repellent fabric, pure softshells, merino wool hats, or parkas adapted to the extreme cold.❄️
Casual techwear is often the result of a piece of techwear or an accessory on the whole outfit. A style that is more discreet than urban techwear.
Urban Techwear
Undoubtedly one of the most interesting segments aesthetically and technically. The designs are very stylized and unleash passions with their urban and futuristic looks.
Moreover, they can be ultra minimalist, with a multitude of small details, or on the contrary eccentric, unstructured and asymmetrical. The range of colors is also often reduced to the bare minimum: black, olive, midnight blue, beige, gray and sometimes white.
It is mainly the techwear style that you will find in our store, offering a ninja look of the city, be it technical kimonos, joggers pants, technical t-shirts with Japanese prints and other futuristic masks. If you love Japanese fashion, then you will definitely love this trend fashion.
These outfits and other accessories, including bags where modularity and integration are the guidelines, are the perfect mix between a unique design and the lightness and ease of movement that are particularly important.
This style can be easily integrated thanks to the many accessories and garments available, such as sneakers, oversized hoodies or sweaters made of breathable materials.
For those who love looks on the verge of grunge and streetwear like the rapper Scarlxrd, don't hesitate to pick up a few pieces that will easily match your everyday clothes.
If you're also a fan of parkour or cyberpunk, go for it!
Cyberpunk Techwear
It is a very futuristic style inspired by sci-fi movies and other video games that plunge us into a universe that mixes cybernetics, punk movement, anime culture.
This style is very widely represented when it comes to cosplay rather than everyday wear. Mask with integrated LEDs, katanas, colored lenses... a whole arsenal that gives an impressive rendering.
If you're a fan of neon, manga and techwear, then you should definitely try cyberpunk style.
Outdoor Techwear
The brands in this "sportswear" segment are those that use the most technical materials: they specialize in hiking, mountaineering, sports sailing, running and sometimes in the world of workwear.
Some brands offer quality products at very affordable prices, but with a look that is sometimes a little questionable for everyday use. They generally offer very technical products, designed for a specific sport practice. For example, major brands such as Nike offer more and more techwear ranges useful for sports while keeping a simple and effective stylistic line.
Black Tech
Borrowing its name from "black operations", the technical garments of this style are bold, impetuous and strongly influenced by extreme military and outdoor equipment. If you're a fan of the movie "The Matrix", you've obviously already thought about dressing in a similar techwear look.
Technical and technological advances have always interested the military, which is why Gore-Tex® jackets are now found in almost every Western military. In fact, some technologies developed specifically for them are now found in civilian clothing, such as RipStop® (literally "stop tears") or Kevlar® in bullet-proof vests.
This trend has inspired the creation of clothing for everyday wear, inspired by military equipment. We can note the example of the cargo pants, highly appreciated for its comfortable cut and its all-purpose utility with its many pockets. It is possible to pick a few pieces from this segment to give a little character to a bland look, while bringing technique.
HOW TO STYLE TECHWEAR?
How to dress techwear? This is a very good question! We propose you to discover the main characteristics of many techwear clothes while proposing you some outfit ideas which will be able to match with any style.
Techwear Jacket
First, start with the jacket.🧥 All the great outfits in the techwear look are built on outerwear. Typically, tech jackets are waterproof, durable or windbreaker and designed for movement, ideally wrapped in a neutral color. A must-have for mid-season or winter.
Techwear Shirt
Then opt for a loose t-shirt under a warm middle layer, ideally a high-tech hoodie. In techwear, we often talk about "mid-layer", that is to say a garment that makes the junction between the upper layer (Jacket) and the lower layer (t-shirt, tank top...). The ideal in this case is to mix the functionalities of your clothes if you want to put the practical side forward such as the storage pockets integrated in the t-shirt, the hoodie with a high collar ... Then move on to the details.
Techwear Pants
Opt for cargo pants, inspired by military clothing, they are practical and give character to your style.👖 They go easily with sneakers or boots. Cargo pants have the particularity of having many storage pockets that live up to their name of "technical clothing".
Techwear Shoes
Finally, focus on the shoes.👟 As a general rule, for a good techwear look choose black footwear, or, boots. Opt for breathable materials and other features like integrated zippers.
While even the simplest outfits could pass for techwear because of a black tech jacket and a menacing scowl, it's important to mention that not all techwear outfits has necessarily neutral colors.
Techwear Accessories
Finally, if you want to perfect your techwear look, there are also many accessories that enhance your style. Whether you're looking for a casual or urban look, there are many possibilities, like techwears bags, caps, pollution masks, or a pair of streetwear-inspired socks that will go hand in hand with your favorite sneaker.
To summarize...
As you have seen, techwear concerns a very wide range of apparel and styles. It is true that at first glance this style can be difficult to integrate into one's clothing.
However, among the multitude of clothes and accessories available, you can find the piece that will easily fit into your wardrobe. Once you wear it, you will realize how comfortable it is. Not only in the design and the cut, but also during use.
Whether you're looking for a technical garment for its utility such as breathable t-shirts, or simply for its futuristic aestheticism and design, techwear is definitely a must-have.
