Garb -- Engadget

garb posts

J-ware odor-free underwear could hit Targets, midsections soon

by Darren Murph posted Mar 25th 2009 at 4:21PM

Truthfully, there's just not enough work being done in the area of advanced underpants, so we're absolutely elated to hear that textile experts at Japan Women's University in Tokyo are picking up the slack and moving forward with an amazing development. Koichi Wakata, the first Japanese astronaut to live on the International Space Station, is current testing the "odor-free" clothing, and it's said that he can rock the same drawers without any pungent smells for a solid week. The garb is designed to "kill bacteria, absorb water, insulate the body and dry quickly," and as if that wasn't awesome enough, they're also flame-resistant and anti-static. The best news? There are already talks of bringing this stuff to the commercial realm. Don't deny it -- you're already thinking of how stellar it'd be to wash clothes just once per month.

Kolon's heated Sport Life Saver III makes a trip to Yellowknife totally doable

by Darren Murph posted Feb 3rd 2009 at 8:43AM

Kolon's Sport Life Saver III doesn't include any fancy extras like built-in Bluetooth, speakers or a pocket specially designed to keep old tater tots warm, but it does include an integrated heating module to keep your blood from chilling. Redesigned from the ground-up, this here coat sports a supple Gore-Tex Proshell 3L shell, a "survival kit," compass and a translucent hood. The standout feature, obviously, is the HEATEX function which provides heat of around 95 or so degrees Fahrenheit, though we're not told exactly how it's powered. Sadly, we're also left clueless when it comes to pricing and availability, but those who've been avoiding the slopes for fear of frigidness will probably pay just about anything.

[Via BeSportier]

QIO Systems aims for interchangeable wearable garb with PANiQ line

by Darren Murph posted Jan 26th 2009 at 9:29AM

iPod jackets aren't what we'd call "a dime a dozen," but they aren't impossible to find, either. QIO Systems is looking to take the next logical step in wearable electronics by giving gadget lovers the ability to choose which thread to wear while retaining the innate ability to play nice with one's PMP. The PANiQ controller is a removable, standardized dongle that can be attached to any piece of clothing in the burgeoning PANiQmode line of attire. Said clothing will tout inbuilt controls that will play nice with any device attached via a PANiQ module, with initial support including dock-connecting iPods / iPhones and Bluetooth devices. So far, PANiQ customers include Cole Haan, Zoo York, KILLA, iQuantum, Celio, Beaucre, and Bailo, but we're hoping that list grows exponentially in the near future.

[Via CNET]

Wearable toy piano makes music, looks good doing it

by Darren Murph posted Dec 11th 2008 at 9:34AM

Now here's a concept. A musical shirt with enough transistors to make even the hardest of hardcore nerd blush, and a long-sleeve garment fashionable enough to make even the world-class design student stop and admire. Mashed into one. The Musical toy piano shirt is that very piece, which was constructed to wow onlookers at the Electronic Textile workshop held this month in Switzerland. Packing removable batteries, speakers and circuitry, the shirt enables the wearer to emit eight different notes from Do to Do, and we hear there's nothing quite as cute as playing a song on yourself. See what we mean in the vid hosted just after the break.

[Via Coolest-Gadgets]

Continue reading Wearable toy piano makes music, looks good doing it

Microsoft to push cool factor with retro-inspired clothing line

by Darren Murph posted Dec 6th 2008 at 2:26PM

It's actually kind of amazing how much dough Microsoft has spent over the past little while in an attempt to polish its image in the minds of the general populace, and as if those "I'm proud to be a PC" and completely incomprehensible Gates / Seinfeld spots weren't enough, the Redmond-based outfit is about to roll out its own clothing line (dubbed "Softwear") this month. And no, we're not kidding. Not even a little. Microsoft has purchased the assistance of Crispin Porter & Bogusky in order to ensure the results are actually desirable, and it has also hired rapper Common as a spokesman. We can't definitively say the shirt you see above is as fly as Pharrell's Gizmondo Enzo tee, but we'd rock it. We'd rock it hard.

[Via Boy Genius Report]

Ion-mask military waterproofing technology coming to civilian garb

by Darren Murph posted Aug 31st 2008 at 12:45AM

Gore-Tex is fine and dandy, but the real argonauts out there know it still buckles under the most extreme conditions. Now, however, adventurists that happen upon a ridiculous amount of water could soon ford rivers (à la Oregon Trail, of course) without worrying about soggy socks. The technology, dubbed ion-mask, was originally crafted to "ensure soldiers' clothing remained impermeable to chemical weapons," but now shoe maker Hi-Tec has inked a deal that will being the solution to a smattering of its kicks. Reportedly, ion-mask can outperform "commercial waterproof fabrics such as Gore-Tex by more than a factor of 100," and in testing, it maintained its breathability / waterproof abilities even after 100,000 flexes. No word on when full suits will be doused in this stuff, but hopefully you'll be able to wear the same outfit to the office and the jungle here shortly.

Virtual mirror destroys all the fun you have trying on outfits

by Darren Murph posted Aug 27th 2008 at 9:44AM

The always-imaginative gurus at Fraunhofer-Gesellschaft never cease to amaze, and at this year's IFA, they're delivering once more. The so-called "virtual mirror" gives to-be garb buyers an accurate look at what different outfits look like on their person without requiring them to try a single thing on. Granted, shopaholics are apt to detest this thing, but anyone with better things to do than try on four sweaters to see which one makes them look fat should be completely in love. The concept here is far from new, as we've seen both virtual makeover machines and fitting room enhancers before. Still, Fraunhofer's dream of getting you suited up and out of the store in mere minutes is one we'd love to see come true. Just don't ditch the traditional stalls too soon -- we wouldn't want any kind of worldwide uprising.

[Via Physorg, image courtesy of Flickr]

Worn out pants collection to show mobile progression

by Darren Murph posted Aug 18th 2008 at 8:17PM

Just as wallets leave impressions in rear pockets, cellphones can do the same for pockets in the front. One Aram Bartholl has decided to start a collection of battle-tested jeans that "show traces of mobile tech development in society." We've no idea if he's planning to tackle the whole thing on his own, but we'd suggest buying up old pants from around the globe in order to amass a sizable collection ~~before death~~ sooner. The image you see above shows what happens if you walk around for three solid years pocketing an original Nokia 6600. Anyone got any impressions (SFW, please) they'd like to share in comments below?

[Via textually]

Sensor vest promises to affirm that we're always stressed out

by Darren Murph posted Jul 7th 2008 at 9:15AM

So maybe your stress level isn't sky high just yet, but even after an extended weekend, all it takes is that one email to get you right back where you were last Wednesday. As if you really needed something to tell you that (and if you don't have time to wait for Sweety to become a reality), a host of researchers have created a sensor-laden vest that will be able to inform wearers just how stressed they are. Developed as part of the EU's CONTEXT project, this sure-to-be-hip vest packs ultra-sensitive electrodes which register changes in muscle tension as individuals get more and more stressed, and in theory, letting someone know what's happening will allow them to simmer down before they further jeopardize their health (and the livelihood of colleagues, if you dig). Eh, we still prefer the Dr. Whippy method, honestly.

[Via Talk2MyShirt, thanks Tony]

Paul Coudamy's Hard-Wear jacket watches your back when no one else will

by Darren Murph posted Jun 22nd 2008 at 10:04AM

Let's face it, the streets are rough these days. And just because someone admits to having your back, that doesn't mean they won't turn and run in the heat of battle. Granted, the very spark that sets off said conflict could be this questionably designed coat, but we digress. Paul Coudamy's Hard-Wear jacket includes a totally inconspicuous camera on the rear which reportedly beams happenings onto a wrist-worn LCD. Not exactly James Bond type material here, but we suppose it'll do for the double-o in training. Take all those orange blocks away and your chances of being looked at would decline remarkably, wouldn't you think?

[Via Talk2MyShirt]

Piezing dress generates power, attracts nerds as wearer moves

by Darren Murph posted Apr 28th 2008 at 8:01AM

Solar-powered dresses are so two years ago. These days, dames in the know are all about that piezoelectric material, evidenced by the incredibly flashy Piezing. Dreamed up and designed by Amanda Parkes, this piece of garb is all set to steal the show at the 2ndSkin expo in San Francisco, and according to CNET, it features electricity-generating fabrics around the joints of the elbows and hips. When the wearer walks, bends or gets downright nasty on the dance floor, the mechanical stress conjures up energy which is stored as voltage in a built-in battery where it can presumably be used later for charging your favorite handheld gizmo. Sure gets our electrons flowing.

[Via textually, image courtesy of James Patten]
Read - 2ndSkin expo
Read - CNET article on Piezing

Keyboard-infused pants make it okay to grab your crotch

by Darren Murph posted Apr 23rd 2008 at 8:03PM

Okay, so maybe tapping that space bar repeatedly in mixed company wouldn't be entirely appropriate, but if you've actually managed to mingle with fellow civilians while rocking these, they aren't likely to mind. Dreamed up and designed by Erik De Nijs, these über-geeky pants boast a built-in keyboard that's apparently Bluetooth-enabled. Beyond that, you'll also find sewn in speakers, a pocket made especially for travel mice of all flavors and a "joystick controller" strategically located just behind the front zipper (saywha?). Hate all you like, we just penned this very post on a pair of these bad boys. Only kidding.

[Thanks, Hans]

American Apparel straps RFID tags onto individual garments

by Darren Murph posted Apr 14th 2008 at 11:54PM

RFID clothing is far from revolutionary, but American Apparel is about to get everyone's attention by placing tags on a smorgasbord of garments. The firm is setting out to implement RFID at the item-level, meaning that tags will eventually hit each article of clothing it produces. For starters, the advanced inventory system will be rolled out across each of its 17 metro New York locations, while plans are already in place to deploy the solution to another 120 North American outlets. The idea is to track individual pieces as they're "tagged at the company's manufacturing facility in Los Angeles, received in its retail stores, stored in the stock rooms at the stores, and then placed onto the sales floor and ultimately sold at the point-of-sale." Of course, we wouldn't expect the tags to follow you home or anything -- too bad we can't say the same for the company's skeezy CEO, Dov Charney.

[Image courtesy of The New York Times]

Dynamic Life shirt clearly shows you're taken by a fellow nerd

by Darren Murph posted Feb 1st 2008 at 10:08AM

Oh sure, we've seen proximity-based clothing before, but for the couple who just can't help but express their intense adoration for technology (and each other), we present the $24.99 8-bit Dynamic Life shirt. This wonderful piece of garb, which is obviously designed to be purchased in pairs, sports six whole hearts on the chest. When your lover strays, both sets of hearts slowly fade away, but when he / she comes running back for one more steamy round of Wii Boxing, the combined dozen lights up to signify precisely how geeky you two truly are. You do know what's coming in a fortnight, right?

[Via Shiny Shiny]

CSIRO developing power-generating shirts

by Darren Murph posted Oct 28th 2007 at 11:07AM

We've seen a plethora of shirts made for more than just satisfying a core necessity in life, but a team of scientists over at the CSIRO's Energy Technology Division are hoping to have "power shirts" at your local flea market (or other fine establishments) within five years. By using piezo electrical materials, the garb could reportedly "produce electricity as you move," enabling users to juice up their DAPs, mobiles and air conditioned pants just by staying active. Other potential applications include powering battlefield-related equipment on soldiers and monitoring systems on the elderly, but making sure it can handle the oh-so-intimidating wash cycle remains a challenge.

[Via PopGadget, image courtesy of CSIRO]