This study provides a systematic review of the application of 3D digital technologies (3DDT) in fashion design practice. The aim is to analyze how 3DDT alters traditional design processes and its effect on sustainability within the circular fashion system (CFS), exploring its core role and offering theoretical support and practical guidance for decision-makers and stakeholders in the fashion industry. The study addresses two key questions. 1. How does 3DDT apply to change design practices processes and enhance sustainability? 2. Within the CFS, what key challenges can 3DDT address to advance sustainability? Through a review of 30 peer-reviewed studies published between 2011 and 2024, the research highlights how 3DDT facilitating the advancement of different CFS prototypes by facilitating design–production integration, diverse applications of sustainable materials, optimizing resource utilization, improving design accuracy, and enhancing communication. It demonstrates 3DDT’s unique ability to break down barriers between the barrier between abstract thinking and visualized feedback, bridging the gap between creative visions, actual production materials and techniques, and consumption realities, thus fostering collaboration and communication among participants such designers, manufacturers, and consumers. By, 3DDT enhances the sustainable effect of design practices within the CFS, providing strong technical support for sustainable design–production decision-making in the fashion industry.
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