Manufacturers are developing everyday items of clothing and shoes that can monitor our vital signs, and even treat serious conditions. The latest innovations include a bra that could deliver life-saving breast cancer medication and socks that warn if you’re at risk of injury.

The Foxleaf bra contains micro-encapsulated ‘bubbles’ of the drug Tamoxifen in soft, plastic inserts in the cups.

The idea is that the body’s heat and moisture rub off the bubbles’ coating and the Tamoxifen, which blocks oestrogen to slow the growth of cancer cells, can be gradually absorbed through the skin throughout the day.

The bra was developed by Sarah Da Costa, a Masters student at Central St Martins, London, and designed with help from lingerie brand Agent Provocateur.

It aims to provide a possible solution for thousands of women who find the side-effects of Tamoxifen intolerable. 

Delivering the drug locally means less has to be processed by the liver, potentially reducing side-effects such as hot flushes, cramps and nausea. 

There are now plans to run clinical trials to work out at what rate the drug would be absorbed.

Da Costa’s next project is to see whether similar technology could be used to deliver dementia drug galantamine via bedding or nightwear.