With the technology miniaturization and wireless revolution, electronics have found new applications in the form of flexible wearables for monitoring purposes. Ongoing research on wearable electronic systems has resulted in a number of prototype garments that can monitor and relay various types of data. As a review of the latest development in this area, this paper outlines and discusses the various components required for such a system, including sensors, actuators, circuitry and power management.

PurposeThe paper aims to provide an overview of the area of smart textiles.Design/methodology/approachThe paper describes and discusses new and developing materials and technologies used in the textile industries.FindingsSignificant progress has been achieved in the area of technical textiles. Fibres, yarns, fabrics and other structures with added‐value functionality have been successfully developed for technical and/or high performance end‐uses. The basic building blocks are already in place in the field of smart textiles and clothing.Practical implicationsAs progress in science and engineering research advances, and as the gap between designers and scientists narrows, the area of smart clothing is likely to keep on expanding for the foreseeable future. Growth is predicted to occur in two distinct directions: performance‐driven smart clothing and fashion‐driven smart clothing. There are challenges that have to be addressed.Originality/valueThe paper provides information of value to those interested in the future directions of the textile industry.

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