To make any “fashionista” cringe, these three words should do it: It’s just clothes.

Not everyone puts as much stock in their wardrobe as we do. Many will tell you one handbag is enough. And that five grand for a coat is just plain offensive.

Beyond keeping us appropriately covered, is fashion functional? The answer depends on whom you ask.

To those who value it, fashion is self-expression. Identity. Leisure. Art.

But “it’s just clothes” is an anti-fashion mantra that every designer has had to face. And many have responded with innovative ways that fashion can offer more – some bizarre, others brilliant.

Andrew Bolton opens his book, The Supermodern Wardrobe, with this idea: “All clothes have social, psychological, and physical functions. Some may emphasize one of these categories over others.”

The cynical (and perhaps poorly dressed) will always claim that a wardrobe beyond the physical basics is a waste. But for those who appreciate all of its intangible functions, fashion’s haters shouldn’t be a barrier to more innovation. And above all, more optimism.

Click on any image for a closer look at fashion innovation, from 1960s cutting-edge fabrics and wearable novelties to the next frontier of garment gadgetry.