Design of a functional sportswear

Types and consumption of leisure and active sportswear have increased as a result of increasing interest in sports. Nowadays, consumers do not satisfy only with the appearance of the active sportswear, but they also expect some performance and functional properties from their garments. A functional sportswear was designed in this research. Sailing top garment was selected as an active sportswear. Because, sailors should avoid from various external factors during sailing, there are many ways to enhance the comfort properties of these garments, the performance and safety of the sailors can be improved by integrating electronic functions to the sailing garment and the end-product has high added value. This study was started according to a survey conducted to professional sailors, as there is not enough literature. According to the survey results, an electronic system was developed in cooperation with the academicians in Dokuz Eylul University, Electrical-Electronics Engineering Department and Mecatronics Department. The electronic system containing master and slave systems, was constructed to detect fall situation of sailors by using Bluetooth communication principle. Also, slave system determined the ambient temperature and sailors' pulses successfully. Besides, systematically coated and laminated fabrics were produced in order to provide the sailing garment expectations. For this purpose cotton, polyester and polyamide fabrics were coated or laminated and tested to select the optimum choice. As an alternative, polypropylene samples were produced. By changing the base fabric, coating parameters and lamination films, alternatives were created. Laminated fabrics were found more advantageous when compared to coated equivalents according to waterproofness and durability to washing. Among all fabrics, laminated polypropylene specimens outshined. Fabric desicion process was supported by Multi Criteria Desicion Making Methods. Consequently, a sailing garment prototype was sewn by the optimum fabric. The electronic system was implemented to this prototype and the design of functional sportswear was completed.