What is techwear?
Techwear or technological clothing is one of the most fashionable clothing trends at the moment. It is made of technical fabrics like GORE-TEX, and mainly inspired by cyberpunk and urban fashion to produce avant-garde clothing.Futuristic clothing
Techwear Fashion
Made of special fabrics, technological clothing, is a kind of clothing that lies between urban fashion and futuristic design. Techwear clothing combines technical and stylish design with pure clothing that is practiced in all situations.
WHAT ARE THE CHARACTERISTICS OF TECHWEAR CLOTHING?
Techwear is made up of two trends, each focusing on one of its fundamental components. The first component is the futuristic and avant-garde aesthetic. The second component is more functional.
This alternative style mixes the pleasant with the useful with unique pieces. Whether you are looking for a 100% original look, or practicality, most techwear perfectly combines the aesthetic and useful aspect.
Indeed, the main characteristic of technical clothing is that they are made from resistant materials, often waterproof and equipped with storage pockets.
This series of clothing is both durable and comfortable. It is inspired by military looks and cyberpunk, and is attractive to both men and women. Waterproof windbreaker, waterproof sneakers or seamless T-shirts, practical clothes and designs.
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How to techwear?
If you are looking for techwear clothing, whether it’s for the aesthetic or the functional aspect, you need to understand which elements composed techwear outfits. Here is a guide to jump into techwear with ease and combine the best of techwear aesthetic and functionalities!
Outerwear
Jackets are probably the first garment that comes to your mind when you think of technical clothing. There are two types of techwear jackets: hard shell and soft shell.
Hardshell
Hardshell jackets offer the best protection from the elements and are fully windproof, waterproof and breathable. They provide a versatile, weather-resistant outer layer. Hardshell jackets are popular with outdoor athletes, so they can face the elements with the most versatile protection
Softshell
Softshell jackets have a lighter coat, often waterproof (DWR), that repels light precipitation, such as snow or drizzle, and are suitable for winter sports. Softshell jackets emphasize comfort with much less protection than hardshells, but will surprise you with the comfort they will bring you.
Mid-Layers
Mid-layers complement the techwear jacket. It is the link between the hardshell (or softshel)l and the base layer. Mid-layers are hoodies, vests and other long-sleeved sweatshirts made from technical polar materials, stretchy, or super light for example. The particularity of these garments lies in the fact that they are easy to put on and take off. For this, they are often equipped with a zipper system, fast and convenient. This is the perfect garment to keep you warm under your techwear jacket!
Base Layer
It forms the basis of your techwear outfit. Often made of technical, antiperspirant materials, techwear shirts are popular for their aesthetics, as well as their practicality. If you are looking for a very aesthetic techwear style, choose a techwear t-shirt with an urban design. If you're looking for a full functional techwear outfit, choose a lightweight t-shirt made of breathable materials and equipped with extra pockets to carry your belongings.
Cargo Pants
While jackets are a mainstay of all techwear outfits, techwear pants are also essential to being on the cutting edge of techwear fashion.
Largely inspired by military cargo pants, techwear pants feature a unique, loose-fitting design with plenty of pockets and ribbons to enhance the aesthetic. They are the perfect combination of futuristic aesthetics and utility.
Pants in this segment typically offer a mix of water repellence, breathability, stretch and extra or deep pockets. Some cargo pants have interesting features like a modular system that allows users to add and remove pockets for even more carrying capacity. A must-have for your techwear wardrobe!
Techwear footwear
If you're a fan of sneakers of any kind, you'll love techwear shoes. Without a doubt, one of the most important accessories to finalize your techwear outfit.
These shoes are jewels of technology and style. Choose them as carefully as the rest of your outfit. With a reinforced sole, made of breathable materials, with reflective stripes, techwear shoes perfectly reflect functionality coupled with a clean look.
TECHWEAR ACCESSORIES
Beyond the predominantly black clothes, a successful techwear style lies in the details.
Although these are downgraded to backgrounds, they provide interesting techniques that can be combined with everyday clothing.
These include connecting bracelets or military belts with magnetic buckles. As for bags, techwear fashion offers technology bags made of waterproof materials. They can also consist of thermally bonded seams and breathable belts.
Top 5
Techwear brands
Now that you know more about techwear, you probably want to buy some clothes and accessories to match the techwear! Here are the top 5 techwear brands and their origins.
1. Acronym
Founded in 1994 in Germany, Acronym is a ready-to-wear brand with a particularly strong techwear style. This brand is recognized as one of the precursors of the techwear style. The catalog offers technical pieces with futuristic cuts and unique properties, fully in line with the ninja aesthetic of modern times. The brand breaks the glass between fashion and technology and mixes both disciplines in elegant and functional creations.
2. Nike ACG
The Nike ACG "All Condition Gear" range, initially conceived in 1989 for outdoor activities in mountain environment, is now part of a more urban style, emblematic of the brand. This high-end branch of the brand has the comma is now a pillar of techwear.
3.Stone Island
Stone Island is an Italian brand of technical clothing. Thanks to its rich history and bold choices, Stone Island has set itself apart in techwear fashion. With a focus on researching new materials and innovative techniques, Stone Island goes far beyond waterproof, breathable and durable clothing. Each new collection brings new innovations and features. Its futuristic military style and mysterious aura has won over techwear fans.
4. Damascus
One of the most innovative brands in terms of design. Damascus, founded in 2009, proposed collections inspired by the cyberpunk universe with avant-garde designs worthy of cinema fictions. A dark look that has found its audience through its originality. Made with less advanced technical materials than Acronym or Nike ACG, Damascus has nevertheless found its originality in its aesthetic. Unfortunately, in 2019 the brand has ceased its activity.
5. RIOT DIVISION
This techwear brand is recognizable by its style largely inspired by functional military clothing, the brand describes its clothing as "functional uniforms for the rebels of the urban metropolis". Based in Ukrenia, this is brand offers various technical clothing to enhance your daily outfit.
Techwear aesthetic
Some labels have very interesting approaches because the design of clothes takes precedence over the function. This has allowed the emergence of various techwear styles influenced by various fashion cultures, streetwear, cyberpunk, street goth, to name a few. We have gathered the most popular techwear styles of the moment.
URBAN TECHWEAR
One of the most aesthetic techwear style, often called "Urban ninja" or "Techwear ninja". Ultra minimalist, with a multitude of small details, or on the contrary eccentric, destructured and asymmetrical. The range of colors is also often reduced to the strict minimum: black, gray and sometimes white. These technical clothes influenced by Japanese culture will make you a real ninja of the city.
Our favorite urban techwear brand: SHADXW™
CYBERPUNK TECHWEAR
This is a segment that could be described as a "concept look". Halfway between cosplay and high-tech clothing, the techwear cyberpunk style will delight fans of the Cyberpunk culture. Although difficult to wear with an everyday outfit and hard to find in stores, this futuristic fashion style is the perfect representation of the overthinking.
Our favorite cyberpunk brand: DEMOBAZA
CASUAL TECHWEAR
With a classic design that can be easily integrated into everyday outfits, casual techwear designates formal wear such as breathable t-shirts, waterproof jackets and other softshells in GORE-TEX for example. Enhance your outfit with casual techwear and other accessories to increase your daily comfort with less eccentric but equally useful clothes.
Our favorite casual techwear brand: STONE ISLAND
Military techwear
Military techwear, also called "warcore", combines military fashion with techwear aesthetics. Half-way between cosplay and techwear fashion, this style adds a military dimension to your outfit. Cargo pants, combat boots, tactical vest, all pieces that will complete your outfit for a military and dark style. If you like airsoft, guns and techwear, you will definitely love warcore fashion!
Our favorite warcore brand: HOLYGRAIL
Goth techwear
The darkest style of techwear, also called "Darkwear" or "Street Goth". This techwear style is inspired by gothic and streetwear culture. A dark look with extravagant patterns featuring demons, skulls and other fonts with grunge, metal typography.
This techwear style is often embellished with cargo pants with multiple straps, a face mask and futuristic sneakers or military boots, characteristic of the techwear look. If you are looking for a darkwear look, the goth techwear will definitely please you!
Our Favorite goth techwear brand: MUNROLONDON
Japanese techwear
Inspired by the culture of the rising sun, Japanese techwear takes the basics of technical clothing with a functional outfit (jacket, cargo pants, tactical backpack), while adding a Japanese touch. We find emblematic outfits of the Japanese culture like the kimono, revisited with a design and futuristic touch characteristic of techwear.
Forget the heavy and colorful kimono, make way for the black kimono, design, with tactical pockets and other storage. From the simple kanji to the Oni mask, Japanese techwear is ideal for fans of Japan and the anime universe.
Our favorite Japanese techwear brand: SHADXW™
OUTDOOR TECHWEAR
Beyond a style, outdoor techwear includes brands specialized in technical clothing for sports: running, mountaineering, hiking etc. The aesthetic side is much less pushed in the outdoor techwear, here we are looking for performance and utility with clothes made of breathable fabric, waterproof coat to resist to bad weather...
Our favorite outdoor techwear brand: NIKE ACG