THE FUTURE CLOSET

3D CLOTHING PRINTER: If you think 3D printers that can print plastic are cool, just wait till you see one that can print fabric. Many technologists already have prototypes of machines that can weave fabrics together right in front of your eyes. And their goal is to let you recycle your worn clothing back into the machine to break apart the fibers and print something completely new. Imagine the possibilities for cost savings and eco-friendliness. Additionally, as 3D printers have become more advanced, fashion designers have begun to dream about selling customizable versions of their designs online. What if you break a heel? Just print another!

BODY SCANNING: If the thought of printing out your own clothes on demand isn’t exciting enough, what if I told you that every single piece of clothing you may own—including your shoes—will fit you like a glove? When body scanning technology becomes more readily available, it will let you take a full 360-degree scan of your body, feet and all. Then, using your precise measurements, you can print clothes on demand that fit perfectly. Will this finally spell the end of tailoring? Imagine the possibilities for bras, shoes, and more.

DIGITAL CLOSET: If you have ever seen the movie Clueless, then I know you have had more than one fantasy about being able to browse your entire closet from your computer. This reality isn’t too far away. Several technology companies are working on ways to automatically take inventory of what you have in your closet, making it a more seamless process to get ready in the morning, pack for long vacations, mix and match outfits, and more.

CUSTOM CLOTHES: While many retailers are beginning to offer clothing customization, the fact that we are building a long-tail of self-manufacturing will enable us all to personalize our garments in new ways. When ordering clothes online in the future, not only will you be able to upload your personal body measurements to ensure the fit is perfect, but you’ll also be able to customize colors, patterns, shapes, and more.

FASHION DESIGN 2.0: If you’ve ever watched a season of Project Runway, you know that in today’s world, it’s challenging to become a notable fashion designer. Once you get people to start recognizing you, you still need to get your sketches and designs into the hands of major retail buyers in order to get your products carried in their stores. But in tomorrow’s world, that will all change. If people are able to print and make their own clothes on demand, the retailer you buy from matters much less. Indie designers will be able to reach millions of consumers by simply uploading their designs to the web. So all of you fashion designer hopefuls, start practicing your sketches!

SMART GLASSES: Even if you’ve never had an issue with your eyes, you may still find yourself wearing glasses in the future . . . or at least contacts. Google is leading the charge in creating a new type of wearable technology called Google Glass, which essentially lets you wear glasses that act as computer screens: these glasses can browse the web, record video and photos, and even react to the sound of your voice or the direction of your gaze. While they look a little silly now, this technology will soon be embedded into fashionworthy glasses, sunglasses, and contacts and will enable you to become much more informed about the world around you as you are living in it. I for one am excited about the day when I can follow a recipe without using my hands to turn the pages or screens of a cookbook—the directions will be right in front of me, through my specs.