I’m a finicky dresser, to say the least. I also have a tendency to spend hours trying things on – which is why shopping online isn’t for me – or for most people! But big brands are on it already, and are bringing the shopping experience right to your PC.
I decided to have a look at some online changing room examples, and I may just consider shopping online in the near future.
Tobi.Com
Using webcam technology Tobi.com offers shoppers the option of virtually trying on all their fabulous items in the virtual changing room. Also, for the more fashion challenged amongst us, there’s the option of chatting live to a professional stylist.
A user prints out a marker and holds it towards the camera for positioning, dropping it once it’s set. By using a flick of a wrist they can cycle through available items and motion over a thumbs up icon if they’d like to try something on.
Any online shopper will agree that this awesome – but not without flaws. This feature will simply overlay dresses onto live video of you. So, unfortunately sizes and fit will still be a problem, but at least you can get a good idea of what the item will look like on you – sort of, at least.
And, what’s a shopping trip without a partner? If a user needs a second opinion they can take a snapshot and share it with friends on Facebook or via email.
Ray-Ban Virtual Mirrors
Ray-Ban’s virtual mirror is another great example of a virtual try-before-you-buy. Once a user has downloaded the necessary application to use this they can hook up their webcam to try on a pair of Ray-Bans.
Create a look. Image Credit: My Virtual Model
This one, was by far the most fun and easy to use. It kind of reminded me of The Sims.
First off – a user creates their own virtual self; here a user has all kinds of specifics to choose from: eye shape, weight and height, body type, bust size and waist definition. Once a user has created their virtual self, they can dress her up in items that can be bought online – already the assumed correct size.
What also struck me as being fab is the element of crowdsourcing used here: users can upload their created outfits to a gallery where it is stored and shared with the whole community.
This site is a great place to play (and believe me, I did), but it isn’t truly representative of what these clothes will actually look like on you.
Looklet
Choose a look. Image Credit: Looklet
Similarly to My Virtual Model, shoppers can dress up a model on Looklet – although I don’t know any girls who look like these models! Strangely, however, this happened to be my favourite site. Like a good friend said, “Like paper dolls, but a million times cooler!”. What’s great too is that, like My Virtual Model, anyone can play stylist and save their creations for others to draw inspiration from.
Knicker Picker
Pick your favourite bra. Image Credit: Knicker Picker
What I love about Knicker Picker is that it actually doesn’t assume that we’re all perfect specimens. Knicker Picker is very simple and gets kudos for that, but it also caters for more than a size 0.
Knicker Picker is an interactive video dressing room that showcases top lingerie brands like Wonderbra, Triumph, Sloggi and Gossard. A shopper chooses a model who closest resembles her body type and then picks the lingerie she would like to see, and the model wears it. The chosen model can also be directed to turn around and come closer, so shoppers can get a better look. And in case you were wondering, this is great for boys to ogle ladies too, which is why Knicker Picker offers men the Boy’s Buying Guide. Knicker Picker is also available as an iPhone app.
Admittedly online changing room tools are still a work in progress and perhaps one day fashionistas will be able to do everything without setting a foot outside their door. Granted, I still want to touch fabrics and move in clothes. Look is one thing, but feel is another. That said, as technology improves our experiences will become a more accurate replicate of real world shopping (I hope!). Perhaps one day it could replace in-store visits...
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