People will begin to print their own clothing at home within the next five years, according to predictions by researchers.

In a bolder prediction, the research said that in 1,000 years time fashion designers will be creating clothing suitable for space exploration, and it may have to be made so it is able to preserve life.

These would include cybernetic suits that increase the physical abilities of humans – such as superhuman lifting abilities.

It is envisaged that we could one day in the future be wearing clothes with solar panels on to help us charge devices or produce energy while we are on the go and also shows that create energy while we move.

The team behind the work, completed by online auction website eBay, based their predictions on a survey of more than 1,000 Americans.

Responding to the survey 66% of people said that they would wear clothing which has a smart device embedded into it.

Concepts presented by the company show that in 100 years there could be nanotech suits for men that could be water-resistant, stain proof as well as UV-protected.

Also incorporated into the concepts for a century away include ideas such as a climate dress, although presumably with any of the presented ideas the technology would be able to apply to any clothing type, which would show the wearer when they are in highly polluted areas.





They concluded that technology will be one of the most influential factors on fashion in the near and distant future.

This will be in the form of technology embedded into clothing as well as the manufacturing processes – with nanotechnology being an important component.

The comments echo those of fashion designer Tom Crisp, from Viktor & Rolf, who Factor spoke to in recent weeks. He also said that 3D printing can play a huge part in the future of clothes for manufacturers and designers.

Predicting what could be 3D printed, Crisp previously said: “Initially it would be jewellery, shoes, this and that, but I’ve heard rumours that they are making a flexible polymer so that you could actually print a raincoat at home, which would be quite interesting to see that.”

The research said that wearable technology, which is just starting to be accepted by consumers, may be integrated into garments and fashionable accessories.

However it said: “The personal information collected from this smart-fashion may prompt new privacy concerns.

“This technology and the information it provides might empower people to be better stewards of their personal health.”