Improving thermal comfort in apparel

Comfort is a key factor to be considered in clothing design. Among all the comfort factors, thermal comfort is the primary one, as an important function of clothing is to provide aids in maintaining the thermal balance of the human body and ensure that the heat loss, skin temperature, air movement and humidity at the body surface produce a sensation of comfort. There are three main approaches in the development of clothing for improved comfort, i.e. the appropriate use of textile materials, garment design and attachment of special wearable devices into the garment system. In this chapter, different design approaches to enhance the thermal comfort, particularly in terms of body cooling, are discussed.