In the beginning, when we thought about wearables, it was usually things like Fitbit, Oura, smart watches, etc. But in textiles and apparel, one of the biggest barriers to acceptance was the need to include a hefty battery to supply power to the creation.

That’s changing rapidly, as battery technology improves and other developments that make it easier to power clothing for more functionality without the drag of a large power bank.

Let’s start with graphene. If you search WhatTheyThink for articles or mentions of graphene, you will find a ton of information. Here’s an example from a couple years ago. In this article, we mention Graphene-X, “based in Hong Kong and a provider of graphene-enhanced “urban technical and adventure ready clothing.” The company states, “We combine elements of outdoors wear, workwear and streetwear. We emphasize functionality, versatility, and comfort without compromising style. This is clothing for those who live the urban life on the go and need clothing that can keep up with their active lifestyle.” The article is a bit of a cautionary tale, since not everything that purports to contain graphene actually does.