# Children's Functional Clothing: Design Challenges and Opportunities
## 5 Analysis of Functional Children's Clothing Brands
This brand uses a technology called DreamSkin, characterised by a coating capable of managing moisture from damaged skin. It releases moisture when conditions are hot and retains it when temperatures drop. The brand underscores on its website that it conducted a study involving standardised tests on artificial skin with eczema to validate the effectiveness of this technology [54; 55]. According to the study, significant improvements were found in the treated skin area, with a significant increase in skin hydration observed after 14 days, peaking on the 7 th day. Furthermore, the study demonstrated a 40% improvement in cell viability after 24 h compared to untreated textiles [55]. DreamSkin Health has introduced the Happy Skin brand as a more economical version, utilising the same technology with one key distinction. In DreamSkin Health, the technology is applied to medical-grade silk fabrics, whereas in Happy Skin, it is applied to a blend of Tencel and cotton. This strategic adaptation allows Happy Skin to maintain the benefits of innovative technology while offering a more budget-friendly option. * Colour-changing  
Another prevalent functionality in children's clothing brands is the incorporation of reflective materials. According to [PERSON] et al. [49], the use of brightly coloured fabric materials in children's clothes aims to attract attention and increase the visibility of children, promoting increased awareness and protection for them. Reflective details strategically incorporated into the brands' clothing increase this protection, improving the visibility of the user in situations where the risk of being unseen is high. Various technologies can be effective for this purpose, not limited to reflective materials. A study conducted by [PERSON] et al. [30] suggests the use of polymer optical fibre as an efficient active light source. The authors concluded that this technology offers children significantly enhanced safety in a traffic environment compared to reflective elements, due to its broader visibility range. Additionally, colour-changing materials serve these protective functions, contributing not only to the promotion of safety but also promoting creativity and cognitive development. For example, the Illuminated Apparel brand includes a UV light pen in their products to encourage interactivity. The Spellbound brand explores materials that glow in the dark to create new prints on clothing, supporting children's exploration. In contrast, the Babyglow product changes colour when the user has a temperature considered above normal, alerting caregivers to potential health problems. However, there is limited information available about this product. * Antimicrobial  
The antimicrobial activity for integration or application in functional textiles is a growing research topic; however, this property is not readily found in brands that specialise in children's clothing. Only two brands were identified that incorporate this functionality in their children's products, namely, SilverGuard and Fifty. Only the first brand provides specific information about the technology it uses to achieve the antimicrobial property, referred to as IONIC+ Silver (formerly known as X-STATIC(r)). Textile materials incorporating this technology are developed using silver fibres, which possess antimicrobial properties, creating a shield that inhibits the growth of bacteria and fungi [29, 56]. The antibacterial efficacy of these fibres can achieve a 99% reduction within 12 h [56]. According to [PERSON] et al. [29], this technology was initially designed for soft surface textiles in hospital environments. As anticipated, cotton stands out as the predominant fibre in children's brands, particularly in underwater. Each brand showcased demonstrates a dedication to children's comfort, with the majority also exhibiting environmental consciousness. This aligns with the findings of [PERSON] and [PERSON] [6], who assert that functional clothing performs as a practical and sustainable solution.