Wearable Lighting Planner
Plan My Wearable Lighting
Answer 4 questions and we'll tell you exactly what to buy, how much, and how to power it. Covers EL Wire, VynEL™ panels, and SewGlo™ illuminated thread.
EL Wire
VynEL™ Panels
SewGlo™ Thread
Step 1 of 4
What type of garment or project?
Choose the category that best describes what you're building. This shapes which technology will look and perform best.
Fashion / Runway
Premium wearable look, must be photo-ready and camera-perfect when lit or unlit
Costume / Cosplay
Halloween, anime, sci-fi, fantasy builds — impact and character over subtlety
Performance / Dance
Stage lighting, repeated movement, durability matters — built for repeat use
Athletic / Outdoor
Visibility, weatherproofing, active use — needs to survive sweat and weather
Accessories
Bags, shoes, headwear, props — smaller accent lighting with a big visual punch
Step 2 of 4
What lighting effect do you want?
The look you're going for determines whether you need wire, panel material, or thread.
Outline / Trim
Glowing edges and seam lines — draws the silhouette of the garment in light
Full Panel Glow
Large area illumination, flat surface — entire panels or sections that glow solid
Thread / Weave
Subtle embedded glow woven into fabric — lights from within the textile itself
Accent Points
Spot highlights, not full coverage — small pops of light at key design moments
Step 3 of 4
How much do you need to light?
Give us rough measurements — we'll calculate the exact quantities and power needs.
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15 ft
Your Wearable Lighting Plan
Based on your selections
Technology Overview
How the Technologies Compare
Not sure which fits your project? Here's what separates EL Wire, VynEL™, and SewGlo™ at a glance.
| Property | EL Wire | VynEL™ Panels | SewGlo™ Thread |
|---|---|---|---|
| Best for | Outlines, curves, seam tracing | Large flat panel glow | Fabric-integrated thread glow |
| Flexibility | ● Very flexible | ● Flexible panels | ● Fully sewable |
| Washable | ● Hand wash only | ● Spot clean | ● Machine wash (LT grade) |
| Thickness / Profile | 2.3 mm diameter wire | 0.5 mm panel sheet | Thread-gauge, invisible when off |
| Power draw | ~0.09 W / ft | ~0.03 W / sq in | ~0.18 W / ft of thread |
| Skill to install | Low — glue, sew, or route | Low-Medium — cut and bond | Medium — standard sewing machine |
| Fashion finish | ● Good | ● Very good | ● Premium — looks off when off |
| Durability (flex) | 50k+ flex cycles | 30k+ flex cycles | 100k+ stitch flex cycles |
| Typical use cases | Costumes, rave wear, borders | Armor, signs, backlit panels | High fashion, stage, luxury |
Common Questions
Frequently Asked Questions
SewGlo™ LT (Laundry Tech) grade is specifically engineered to survive machine washing.
It can be washed in cold water on a gentle cycle and tumble dried on low. EL Wire is hand-wash only —
the wires themselves are fine, but the connectors and inverter must be removed first.
VynEL™ panels should be spot cleaned only. If washability is a hard requirement, SewGlo™ LT is the
clear winner.
The most common approach is to sew or velcro a small interior pocket into the garment —
placed at the small of the back, inside a waistband, or under a panel flap. For stage costumes, belt packs
or hip harnesses work well and can be covered with draped fabric. LiPo 12V packs are the most compact
option for high-power setups. AA battery packs are bulkier but easier to replace mid-event. We recommend
routing wires inside hems or under panels whenever possible to keep the look clean.
Yes — EL Wire and VynEL™ panels are the easiest to retrofit because they can be
applied on top of a finished garment with fabric glue, heat-bond tape, or hand stitching. SewGlo™ thread
is best added during construction, but it can be hand-sewn in running stitch along existing seams on a
completed piece. For structural additions like hidden wiring channels, it's much easier to incorporate
before the final seams are closed.
SewGlo™ XR thread is the thinnest — it reads as ordinary decorative thread when off and
produces a sharp, precise glow line when on. VynEL™ Flex Panel at 0.5 mm is the thinnest option for area
glow; it can be hidden under sheer organza or chiffon with the light visible through the fabric. EL Wire at
2.3 mm diameter is the most visible profile, but the new "Angel Hair" 0.9 mm gauge is nearly invisible
when routed under translucent fabrics.
For performances lasting 4+ hours, we recommend a LiPo 12V rechargeable pack — it
provides the best energy density and can be recharged between shows. Always run a full dress rehearsal
with fresh batteries to confirm your runtime. Reduce current draw by using a lower brightness setting on
the inverter if available. TruEL™ Wire is our most durable option for repeated flex; if your costume
moves constantly (dancers, aerialists), TruEL™ has 3× the flex-cycle rating of standard EL Wire.
Always carry a spare inverter for critical performances.
Ready to Start Building?
Have a specific vision in mind? Our team works with designers, costume houses, and production companies to spec custom wearable lighting projects.
- Choosing a selection results in a full page refresh.
