The garments sector is a major source of exports and employment in many Idcs. If automated technology were to become available, comparative advantage might revert to the developed countries. This is lent further importance by the fact that the basic technology is similar to that used in the shoe and leather industries which are also major sources of Idc exports. Garment technology has remained remarkably static over the last century and there have been few technological barriers to new entrants to the industry. However, the introduction of microelectronics technology is beginning to affect this and the advantages of low wage costs are beginning to be undermined. This article warns that emerging microelectronics technologies may erode the comparative advantages of developing countries which fail to adjustto the changing technological environment.