# DIY Electronic Fashion The Programmable Lilypad Arduino By Michael Plishka | Published 2008-11-18 | Art & Design Source: Trend Hunter, https://www.trendhunter.com/trends/lilypad-arduino-diy-programmable-fashion References: [talk2myshirt](http://www.talk2myshirt.com/blog/archives/315) & [cs.colorado.edu](http://www.cs.colorado.edu/~buechley/diy/diy_lilypad_arduino.html) The Lilypad Arduino. Sounds like a mix between a sports car and speed boat, but it’s neither. It’s an interface that allows textiles to be attached to circuits. The result is that you can have a [bra that monitors your breath](http://itp.nyu.edu/~dbo3/blog/?p=115) or a motorcycle turn signal on your shirt, or [just cool jewelry](http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=_egQA8przhs). Making your own [interactive clothes](https://www.trendhunter.com/trends/motorskins-selk) isn’t that difficult or expensive. According toTalk2myshirt.com, "What you need to start creating your own [Wearable](https://www.trendhunter.com/trends/myndplay-myndhub) Electronic fashion item is at least the following modules: mainboard, power supply and the USB->serial board to download the software to the [LilyPad](https://www.trendhunter.com/trends/humidityregulating-paint) mainboard from your computer." The total cost for all three parts is under $60, a sensor is under $25 and light sensor is under $10. I’m getting mine ASAP! ## Trend Insights (Trend Hunter) - Score: 5.2/10 - Popularity: 55% | Activity: 94% | Freshness: 8% - Audience gender: 10% men, 90% women - Primary generations: Millennial, Gen X - Top markets: North America, Europe ## Categories [Trend Hunter](https://www.trendhunter.com/trends) > [Art & Design](https://www.trendhunter.com/artdesign) > [DIY](https://www.trendhunter.com/diy) ## Key Themes ### What Makes This Trend Stand Out - **Wearable Electronic Fashion:** Disruptive innovation opportunity: Creating interactive clothing with embedded technology. - **DIY Electronics:** Disruptive innovation opportunity: Designing and building custom electronic devices. - **Textile Circuits:** Disruptive innovation opportunity: Combining textiles and circuits to create innovative applications. ### Sectors Adopting This - **Fashion:** Disruptive innovation opportunity: Incorporating technology into clothing designs. - **Electronics:** Disruptive innovation opportunity: Developing new electronic devices. - **Textiles:** Disruptive innovation opportunity: Exploring new uses of textiles for technological integration. ## Related on Trend Hunter - [Introductory Connected Device Kits](https://www.trendhunter.com/trends/plug-and-make-kit.md) - [LED-Infused Festival Fashion](https://www.trendhunter.com/trends/tinsel-arcade.md) - [Introductory IoT Tech Kits](https://www.trendhunter.com/trends/arduino-iot-bundle.md) - [Experimental Programmable Clothing](https://www.trendhunter.com/trends/programmable-clothing.md) - [Dynamic Shape-Shifting Dresses](https://www.trendhunter.com/trends/primrose-dress.md) - [Wearable Communication Vests](https://www.trendhunter.com/trends/inxects-vest.md) - [Connected Conference Badge Wearables](https://www.trendhunter.com/trends/programmable-display.md) - [Engaging DIY Electronics Retailers](https://www.trendhunter.com/trends/sparkfun-electronics.md) - [AR Fashion Creations](https://www.trendhunter.com/trends/eternitee-ar-platform.md)