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Design+

REVIEW ARTICLE
Innovations in climate-adaptive clothing design

for promoting resilience and well-being in a
changing climate: A review

Mahadev Bera*

Department of Environment and Disaster Management, IRDM Faculty Centre, Ramakrishna Mission
Vivekananda Educational and Research Institute, Narendrapur Campus, Kolkata, West Bengal, India

Abstract

Climate change is increasingly threatening human health, as rising global
temperatures and more frequent extreme weather events intensify risks such as
heat-related illnesses, respiratory problems, and vector-borne diseases. In response,
this review examines the emerging field of climate-adaptive clothing systems, which
offer innovative solutions to mitigate these health risks. Climate-adaptive clothing
systems integrate advanced textiles, functional design features, and sustainable
manufacturing practices. They aim to regulate body temperature, manage moisture,
and protect against environmental hazards, enabling individuals to adapt to various
climatic conditions. Central to these systems are thermoregulatory fabrics engineered
to balance heat retention and dissipation in response to environmental changes. In
hot climates, these fabrics incorporate moisture-wicking properties to cool the body,
*Corresponding author: whereas in cold environments, they provide enhanced insulation to retain body heat.
Mahadev Bera Additional features, such as integrated ventilation systems, ultraviolet protection,
(mahadev.bera@gm.rkmvu.ac.in) water resistance, and quick-drying capabilities, further improve the clothing’s
Citation: Bera M. Innovations in adaptability and performance under extreme weather conditions. The review also
climate-adaptive clothing design for emphasizes the importance of sustainable practices in developing climate-adaptive
promoting resilience and well-being
in a changing climate: A review. clothing, focusing on eco-friendly materials and production methods to minimize
Design+. 2025;2(2):8589. environmental impact. By promoting thermal comfort, reducing thermal stress,
doi: 10.36922/dp.8589 and increasing resilience to climate variability, these clothing systems represent a
Received: January 17, 2025 promising strategy for enhancing human well-being in a rapidly changing world.
Ultimately, this review highlights the potential of climate-adaptive clothing systems
Revised: April 28, 2025
as a proactive approach to improving individual resilience to climate change when
Accepted: May 19, 2025 contributing to broader sustainability goals.
Published online: June 3, 2025
Copyright: © 2025 Author(s). Keywords: Climate change; Climate-adaptive clothing; Climate resilience; Heat stress;
This is an Open-Access article Textiles industries
distributed under the terms
of the Creative Commons
AttributionNoncommercial License,
permitting all non-commercial use,
distribution, and reproduction in any 1. Introduction
medium, provided the original work
is properly cited. Climate change is one of the most pressing challenges of the 21 century, with
st
Publisher’s Note: AccScience far-reaching implications for human health, well-being, and livelihoods. Rising
Publishing remains neutral with temperatures, changing precipitation patterns, and the increasing frequency of extreme
regard to jurisdictional claims in
published maps and institutional weather events are among its key manifestations, posing significant risks to individuals
1
affiliations. and communities worldwide. Among the various sectors affected by climate change,

Volume 2 Issue 2 (2025) 1 doi: 10.36922/dp.8589