Virtual Dressing Room
From LoveToKnow Womens-Fashion
If one of the greatest stressors of a woman's life is finding clothes that really fit, a virtual dressing room might be the new generation's answer to spending frustrating time in a department store fitting room. Truly a sign of the times, dressing rooms on the Internet have proven remarkably helpful in assisting women with their clothing purchases.
About the Virtual Dressing Room
The virtual dressing room is just what you might envision. Web sites utilize a specialized type of software that is designed to create virtual models. These models can be configured by the user to match the individual's own unique statistics. Not only can women select basics like their hair, skin and eye colors, they can also input their measurements, height and weight. The system then creates a virtual model that is hopefully similar to the user's own build. The point is to make the virtual trying-on process as simple and accurate as possible.
This feature has the potential to enhance the online shopping experience enormously, and for many shoppers it truly does. If women find that their models are accurate representations of their own figures, they are more like to find clothes that fit them well. Of course, this doesn't always hold true; the virtual model is, after all, a computerized figure, and it will not take into account such things as a garment's cut. Another point to keep in mind is color; products that appear a certain shade on your computer screen may occasionally look strikingly different in person.
The Big Benefit
Of course, nothing can truly replace actually going into a store and trying on the article of clothing in person. This is the best way to get a complete idea of the garment's fit. If you're shopping for something important, like a dress for a special occasion, it's much better to rely on an in-person fitting before purchasing it. There's nothing worse than ending up with a piece that hugs your figure a bit too tightly or reveals a bit too much.
On the other hand, virtual dressing rooms do have their benefits! They are ideal for getting a feel for how clothes will look on one's body type. For certain types of clothes, such as maxi dresses or mini skirts, this can be especially helpful, particularly if you're normally not used to wearing such items. To get the most out of the experience, make sure you select the appropriate measurements to build a model that is essentially a virtual replica of you.
When to Rely On It
Relying on a virtual dressing room isn't a bad idea, but you should be aware that there are times when you should rely on it and times when it's better to head out to the store. If you're familiar with the brand your model is wearing, you will likely feel fairly confident ordering the clothes online without trying them on in person. For example, if you're a big fan of C&C California T-shirts in general, you may have some luck ordering one of the brand's dresses if it appears to fit your virtual model well.
Again, it's best not to rely solely on your virtual model if you're shopping for a special occasion. You may also want to steer clear of using your virtual model as the be-all-end-all for denim shopping. Though it's certainly helpful to get an idea of how a pair of jeans might look on your figure, it's definitely better to try denim on in store. This is the type of garment that's simply too tricky to order online if you're not familiar with the brand in question, or if you normally have a tough time finding jeans that fit you.
Where to Find It
Virtual dressing rooms are starting to crop up just about everywhere, but at the moment they are used at several major retailers:
- H&M: Though the famed European retailer does not sell its attire online, the site does offer a virtual dressing room to try on the store's latest shipments. If nothing else, it's a great way to stay on top of the store's latest finds.
- Sears: Here's where you can personalize your model and try a wide range of products on, ranging from classic tops to sassy dresses. The products can be purchased directly from the site.
Learn More
This page has been accessed 1,058 times. This page was last modified 01:02, 1 June 2009.
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