NIFT designs newly patterned Indian Army dress that looks light yet sturdier

Comfortable in all terrains, be it the harsh territories of Kashmir, lush slopes of the northeast, or enduring “beiges and browns of the desert”, the NIFT Delhi team has recently designed a new combat uniform for the Indian Army.

As per the claims of the National Institute of Fashion Technology (NIFT) team, the new weave used in combat uniforms is more comfortable and light to be worn during a long spell of time. It entails several smart tweaks made to the fabric, the weight, and also the camouflage pattern.

A team of seven faculty members of NIFT Delhi along with textile students had undertaken the task of designing the new uniform to replace the one that has been in use since 2008. It will be made available in a phased manner to nearly 12 lakh personnel of the Indian Army.

“One faculty member was working on the development of the camouflage print, along with two students, whom we had specially taken for the project. Two faculty members worked on the fabric development, and two others worked on the development of the design and prototyping, who were joined by two alumni.

As per the professor, Army had clearly identified the problem areas it wanted to fix with the new design as the old uniform, is thicker — like a Denim fabric. In certain unhospitable climatic conditions, it becomes extremely enduring, particularly in scorching heat and humidity.

“The fabric has now been made lighter and sturdier making it comfortable to be worn for longer durations. “The new weave allows for quick drying also. The composition of the yarn has not changed much — the cotton-polyester ratio remains the same,” the professor said.

The fabric has now been made lighter and sturdier making it comfortable to be worn for longer durations. “The new weave allows for quick drying also. The composition of the yarn has not changed much — the cotton-polyester ratio remains the same,” the professor added.

The team at NIFT, after much brainstorming presented 17 pattern options of which four were shortlisted. These were then made into garments so as to check the efficacy, and then one was selected by the army.

Since the present uniform is also replicated quite a bit as the pattern is readily available in the market a unique and multi-terrain pattern is created with a digital design in the new uniform this time.