Tech in your closet: Smart fashion gear to shop or skip
Jakarta Sat, November 16, 2024
From internet-connected glasses to shirts and shoes with multiple sensors, is this the future of fashion?

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Tech in your closet: Smart fashion gear to shop or skip

With tech invading seemingly every aspect of our lives, it’s not surprising to find gadgets woven into fashion as well. 

From stylish trucker jackets that can answer your calls, to yoga pants that nudge you into the perfect trikonasana, are these forms of wearable tech welcome innovations or are they taking things a bit too far? 

  1. Smart Glasses for the Modern Storyteller 

Are smart glasses the next must-have for content creators, or just another pricey toy?

Priced at around Rp 4.8 million (US$305.12), the Ray-Ban Meta Smart Glasses are equipped with dual 12MP cameras for high-quality photos and videos (though not as high as what many smartphones are now capable of). 

With 32GB of internal storage, music playback controls and the ability to live stream directly to your social platforms, these glasses redefine hands-free. You can easily bike and capture the scene in front of you, or be sure not to miss capturing a funny but fleeting moment. 

But let’s not ignore the elephant in the room. The cameras, though discreet, can still raise privacy eyebrows in public settings. 

  1. Smart Jackets for the Hands-Free Commuter

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Do we really need a jacket that can control our smartphone? If it gets so dangerous in the city that you don’t even want to take your phone out for a quick peek, then maybe, yes. 

From a two-year collaboration between Google and Levi Strauss, the Commuter Jacket romanticizes our daily commute with fashion tech and reduces our reliance on smartphones. Think of it as a fashion statement straight out of the movie Her.

The secret sauce? Fifteen rows of conductive fibers are intricately woven into the fabric, transmitting signals to your smartphone via a detachable tag that clips onto the cuff. 

With a simple tap or swipe on their sleeves, users can control music, answer calls and navigate digital life; all without ever needing to reach for their phone.

Unfortunately, before you rush to grab one, it’s only available in eight countries so far. Plus, this premium investment costs Rp 4.6 million for a select set of features. 

  1. Smart Shirts for the Health-Conscious Urbanite

High-tech garments are now also trying to transform how we approach fitness and wellness. 

For example, if you're a serious fitness enthusiast, Athos shirt is designed with built-in EMG sensors that track muscle output and heart rate.

Priced around Rp 5.4 million, it gives you a detailed view of your workout performance. Connect it to the mobile app, and the real-time feedback will help you gauge muscle engagement and intensity levels. 

If you’re more interested in everyday health management than peak athletic performance, Emglare has ECG sensors that continuously track your heart rate and respiration. Available for approximately Rp 3.8 million, it offers insights to help you manage stress in real-time.

Both garments are available from their official websites. Here’s the verdict: they won’t replace your personal trainer, but they will likely provide more detailed information than your fitness smartwatch. 

  1. Smart Pants for the Aligned Yogini 

As modern life evolves, so too does our understanding of well-being. Following the quest for inner peace, yoga is now a staple for many urban residents. 

The Nadi X Yoga Pants aims to elevate this wellness experience. With built-in sensors placed at the hips, knees and ankles, the pants provide gentle vibrations that guide you to perfect your poses with subtle haptic feedback. 

However, with a price tag from Rp 3.5 to Rp 5 million on their official website, you might find it more stressful than calming, especially if you’re doing yoga just fine without them. 

  1. Smart Shoes for the Smart Runner 

There are already dozens of super shoes in the world of running, but now “smart shoes” are entering the scene.

With self-lacing technology that adapts to your foot’s shape, the Nike Adapt BB makes you feel like a streetwear aficionado on the run. Even if you’re a diehard Nike fan, starting from Rp 4.8 million, you may wonder if the underwhelming features are worth it.

For something more accessible, the Xiaomi Mijia Smart Shoes are a solid pick. Available in Indonesia from Rp 800,000 to Rp 1.2 million, these shoes come equipped with basic activity tracking features. They’re lightweight, comfy and perfect for those who want to monitor their daily steps without breaking the bank.

Then there’s the Under Armour HOVR Smart Shoes, available in Indonesia for around Rp 3.2 million. These shoes boast built-in sensors that track distance, pace and running form. Other than providing real-time feedback, their Energy Web technology cushions each step and returns energy, making them suitable for both leisurely joggers and serious runners.

Allestian Derosa is a writer who often turns personal challenges into stories. She finds comfort working at local pet shops and has a knack for making any space feel like home.