Grow what we wear?

Will climate change refugees spread new fashion influences around the world? Will a shortage of raw materials see us renting our clothes from libraries? Will technological advances make it common to grow what we wear? Forum for the Future thought of some future scenarios:

Slow is Beautiful presents a world of political collaboration and global trade. “Slow fashion” is in vogue, and high street brands compete on sustainability credentials. Climate change refugees have introduced new fashion influences. People own fewer, but higher quality clothes. “Vintage” second-hand clothes are also popular, bought and sold online. People also wear “smart” clothes, which monitor their health and wellbeing. Japan specialises in remanufacturing the world’s used garments.

In Community Couture, self-sufficient communities are thriving in a world struggling to cope with the impacts of climate change and resource shortages. Only the rich can afford new clothing, and factories that still make clothes from raw materials need protection from armed gangs. People rent garments from clothing libraries or make their own in community recycling centres. Second-hand clothing is a valuable resource and nothing is thrown away.

The prosperous world of Techno-Chic has benefited from an early switch to a low-carbon economy and huge technological investment. 3-D body scanners allow people to “try on” clothes in virtual mirrors. Modular clothing, produced by machines in China, is customised in store to individual taste. The latest craze is “chameleon” clothing, a military spin-off, offering a blank canvas which can change colour and style, programmed to mimic the celeb of the moment. Clothes are designed to biodegrade or be reused.

In Patchwork Planet, the world has fragmented into competing blocs with rapidly changing fashions inspired by religious and cultural ideals. Western clothes are banned in much of the Middle East. Resource shortages have driven innovation: garments can be “grown” from bacterial cellulose. Clothes are designed to be zipped, tucked and strapped to create many different looks, and post-purchase services allow owners to update them in line with the latest local trend.