And why does it look like blackbloc-mixed-with-courier-core for software developers who don't even ride a bike or do anything cool? Like my dudes, just put on the Patagonia puffer like the good PMC Karen you are.
Is it just the opposite version of people who got really into football jerseys or carhart jackets but for people who used to buy Supreme shit?
Is this why hardshells are so fucking expensive now?
Techwear is a fashion style based around technical favbrics and high-performance clothing designs. A lot of the focus is on high tech, high capability modern fabrics that do neat stuff like breath while being waterproof, dry rapidly, resist microbes that cause odors, and sometimes have other spiffy benefits. Modularity and adaptability are other popular features - Pants that can zip off to shorts, vents that can be used to change airflow and insulation qualities. Layered garments that can add or remove components to meet current enviornmental conditions are cool. A lot of garments feature additional straps or slings so, for instance, a jacket can be removed and worn on an integral sling during warmer weather so it's out of the way, while still being available if it begins raining or becomes chilly. Pockets are also very in. Sometimes the pockets are practical, with internal zipper pockets for safely holding phone or wallet, to silly pockets on pockets on pockets looks that emulate military web gear and are entirely aesthetic. Neat features like internal wire routing for head phones and power bricks were popular before everything went wireless. You may also see features like RFID protected shielded pockets
There are a number of different looks under the techwear umbrella. At one end of the gradient are the yuppy PMC bike commute coder bros; They're wearing khakis and a windbreaker, but the khakis are water proof, stain resistant, and dry instantly and the windbreaker weighs 3oz, packs in to a pocket, etc. On the other hand you have full cyborg-ninja looks with heavy cyberpunk and anime aesthetics- black on black on black with block lettering and barcodes, vests that are either adapted from military gear or just are military gear, various kinds of aggressive boots and tactical shoes, pants that are an exaggerated mix of tactical and bike courier. Sometimes you get fun pure-cyberpunk stuff like oversized coats, robot face masks, blinky lights, and questionably safe katanas.
So there's a full spectrum from high-tech utility that is subdued and looks practical, to straight cyberpunk fantasia. For a lot of people the interest is based on the intersection of aesthetics and high-technology. While the look is highly aesthetic, in many cases the theory behind the aesthetic is deconstruction of the idea of clothes and re-building it on hyper-utilitarian lines (whether the end result is actually utilitarian or just looks cool varies!). Pushing extremes - low weight, high versatility, specialization, is one of the appeals.
It does have some real-world practicality - sturdy, water and stain resistant clothing can be very helpful if you are moving between a field and an office environment. Being able to wear the same high-performance clothes on your bike commute and in the office is nice. A nice high-tech rain jacket can be great if you walk for long distances. Having a very light weight coat with features like adjustable vents and breathable fabrics is really nice if you find yourself in an unexpected shower. Doubly so when compared to cotton, or as I like to call it "The worst fiber ever no contest".
Personally I mostly admire it from a distance. There's hardly any techwear gear available in my size and I can't afford anything beyond a few basic pieces, but it does influence what I buy when I need something sturdy and reliable. When I can work I'm often outside doing landscaping or something and I've never regretted having an entry-level technical jacket that's good in all seasons (add insulating layers for winter, open vents for summer) and keeps me dry in the field. I have work pants from Duluth Trading that aren't exactly techwear, but the water and stain resistant surface treatment and 3% spandex put them way beyond all-cotton carhartts that soak up water and never dry. Plus I've had them for like 4-5 years without so much as a frayed seam.
RE: Price - The fancy stuff costs but sometimes you can find less expensive technical shells at REI, or Steep and Cheap. There are also a bunch of techwear exchange sites since the scene is fairly small and a lot of the really desirable stuff is made in very limited runs, or is older and has been out of production for a long time. Last time I looked in Uniqlo was also popular for a lot of basics - t-shirts, socks, shorts, whatever.
Guilty, your honor
I have a few pieces of "technical" clothing, like you said, some of it is very functional and long lasting. I guess I'm just reacting to the hypebeast version of it. It just reminds me of all the people who wore all "heritage" stuff for the "hipster" look, or the 5-panel supreme hats with the related clothing. It just comes off as a costume and repetitive, not utilitarian or functional or unique. I also abhor limited edition clothing. It attracts the worst and most elitist rich kids.
Ngl a few outfits look fine and functional though, but removed from its function it looks goofy imo.
I mean, if you don't look completely ridiculous, can you even call it fashion? : )
I would definitely dress like a cyborg assassin if money was taken out of the picture entirely, but then I'm also intermittently goth, and in to medieval recreation, so I'm used to people staring at me.
For a while I had a pile of fancy semi-permeable membrane fabric and great plans for some cool things to make with it but alas, my health did not hold. : *( There's a small but constant DIY group in the scene, making their own highly-personalized gear, or altering existing kit to fit their body and needs.
I would love cyberpunk fashion if not for the problem that IF I was a hacker and I JUST HAPPENED to have a pwnagotchi or something technologically aggressive on me, the last thing I need is to be drawing attention to myself. It's bad enough I gotta n95 it everywhere, nothing is gonna say, "this guy is the reason my wifi is acting up" like gargoyle rig.
Cyberpunk fashion has you covered.
"Grayman" is a fashion concept built around high-tech low observable looks. It's exactly what you're talking about; All the cyberpunk high tech fashion and utility, but with an aesthetic that is unobtrusive and doesn't draw attention, or even goes further in trying to exploit human psychology to make you less noticeable than the average person on the street. They actually quote Gibson in the article!
My adventurism kit is built around the idea; Wear really basic, boring stuff on top so no one pays too much attention to what's in your bag. And it's reflected in modern attitudes on bloc - The leading wisdom is that bloc is no longer desirable, and the goal should be wearing unobtrusive clothes so you can move separately without attracting attention from the security forces, then converge rapidly on one point. If you're in bloc everyone knows who you are and what you're doing. If you get separated from the bloc there's a very good chance you'll be targeted, arrested, or snatched. If you're wearing normal, deliberately unobtrusive clothes without identifying features like distinctive shoes or logos it's much harder to keep track of you whether you're in a crowd or on the street. Grayman often leans in to the fashionable aspects of that idea, but you can apply it practically, too. Something as simple as having good quality socks and underwear can make a huge difference on a 10 mile march in hot, muggy weather.
lol, that's all still pretty slick for my whereabouts in florida. I'd need something that looks like I'm heading to the golf course.
Also, that being said, I wish I could wear a gargoyle rig.
If anyone asks you why you're wearing all that hardware tell them it's powering your personal AC system and it's actually cozier than it looks
Lol, we'll probably get there. This summer was definitely too damn hot.
You’re looking at either the drop shipping scene or the dudes who only wear Acronym and ACG.
The former is usually focused only on aesthetics - stuff like fabrics and practical storage design is not a concern. They tend to look like cosplayers and usually almost indistinguishable from hypebeasts from the mid 2010s
The more practical outfits will have more purpose and design to them. But again, there are still extremes. You’ll either end up looking you’re going to jack into the mainframe and plant a bomb (based)
Or you look like you’re a big baby who shit his pants
Acronym and ACG make some pretty dope shit, but they also make some weird looking stuff you wouldn’t want to wear in public
Both of these people look like they work at an ad agency
Lmao, that describes this look perfectly