Smart shirt: Ralph Lauren unveils biometric clothing

The American luxury giant, known for its association with tennis, unveiled the Ralph Lauren Polo Tech shirts at the 2014 US Open. The tight-fitting black and yellow T-shirts given to ball boys at the tournament are the latest in 'biometric smartwear'. They can measure the wearer's heart rate, breathing rate and level of activity and convey the information to a Polo-themed smartphone app.

The move shows the growing importance of new technology to a luxury sector traditionally wary of digital innovations. 'Reaching far beyond just the needs of elite athletes, Polo Tech will offer innovative technology for all ages and lifestyles to promote general wellness and quality of life,' said David Lauren, Ralph Lauren's executive vice-president of Global Advertising, Marketing and Corporate Communications, in a statement. The shirts are expected to be released to general consumers in early 2015.

LS:N Global first covered OMsignal's high-performance smartwear at Le Web 2013. For more on this growing luxury movement read our Tech Luxe microtrend.