Impact of Cultural Congruence in Aesthetic Patterns on User Acceptance of Smart Textiles: A Comparative Study of Chinese Xiangyun and Western Art Nouveau Motifs
Yuwei Zhang, Jun Xu
Article
2026 / Volume 9 / Pages 271-290
Received 10 October 2025; Accepted 4 November 2025; Published 30 January 2026
https://doi.org/10.31881/TLR.2026.271
Abstract
This research addresses a critical challenge in textile functionalization: integrating interactive properties with aesthetic surface treatments to enhance user acceptance in global apparel markets. The study focuses on the fabrication and evaluation of interactive textile samples. A 100% cotton knit fabric substrate underwent surface modification via screen printing, using a thermochromic system based on leuco dyes with an activation temperature of 31°C. To investigate the influence of aesthetics on the reception of the final textile product, two culturally distinct patterns were utilized: a traditional Chinese Xiangyun motif and a Western Art Nouveau floral motif. The performance and user perception of these functionalized fabrics were assessed through a user study involving 60 participants from East Asian and Western cultural backgrounds. Quantitative analysis (two-way ANOVA) of the finished textiles’ perceived attractiveness, commercial viability (divided into general purchase intention and willingness to pay a premium), and affective response revealed a significant crossover interaction (p < 0.001, ηp² = 0.749) between the aesthetic pattern design and the user’s cultural background. The findings provide empirical evidence that, while the novelty of the thermochromic feature was universally engaging, it acted as a value amplifier only when the aesthetic base was culturally congruent. Crucially, the willingness to pay a premium for the smart functionality was significantly higher only for the congruent designs, suggesting that aesthetic resonance is a prerequisite for monetizing technical innovation. This study demonstrates that distinct cultural archetypes serve as decisive “visual codes” in user acceptance, challenging the “one-size-fits-all” approach in smart textile design.
Keywords
smart textiles, thermochromic textiles, screen printing, aesthetic pattern design, perceived attractiveness
