How to try on clothes virtually: see the look before you buy

What a virtual try-on is good for, and what it is not

An AI try-on is best at answering “does this suit me?” questions. It can show whether a colour flatters your skin tone and hair, whether a cropped jacket or a long coat changes your proportions in a way you like, and whether a top you are considering works with trousers you already own. It is also useful for occasion outfits, such as a wedding guest dress or an interview blazer, when you want to compare several options side by side before ordering. If you are planning a bigger change, you can also preview a hair colour before the salon and see both together.

It is not a measuring tool. The image is generated, so it cannot tell you whether a size M will be tight across the shoulders, whether a hem will hit your ankle or your calf, how much a fabric stretches, or how it drapes when you move. Screens also show colour differently, so the shade in a preview is a guide rather than a promise.

How to try on clothes virtually, step by step

1. Take a full-body photo of yourself

   Stand facing the camera with your whole body in frame, in good, even light. Use a timer or ask a friend, and wear fitted, neutral clothes so the outline of your body is clear.

2. Find or take a clean garment photo

   Use a photo that shows one item fully, front-on, either laid flat, on a hanger or worn by a model, ideally against a plain background. If the background is busy, clean it up first with a background remover.

3. Check the item is a supported type

   Tops, shirts, dresses, jackets, coats, trousers, skirts and full outfits work. Underwear, lingerie and swimwear are not accepted.

4. Upload both photos and confirm the price

   In the virtual try-on, sign in, add your photo and the garment photo as JPG, PNG or WebP, and check the exact credit price shown before you run it.

5. Run the try-on and wait

   A result usually takes 20 to 60 seconds. Failed generations aren't charged — held credits come back automatically. Your result is kept for 24 hours to download.

6. Compare and decide with real measurements

   Try two or three versions of the item, judge colour and style, then check the shop's size chart against your own measurements before buying.

Taking a full-body photo that works

• Put the camera at roughly waist height, a few steps away. Shooting from above shortens the legs; shooting from the floor distorts the body.
• Stand straight, face the camera and hold your arms slightly away from your body, so the tool can see your waist and the outline of your torso.
• Wear close-fitting, plain clothes such as a T-shirt and leggings or slim trousers. Bulky layers hide your shape and confuse the result.
• Choose a plain wall and soft daylight from a window in front of you. Avoid strong backlight and harsh overhead shadows.
• Keep just one person in the photo, with your feet and head inside the frame. Mirror selfies work if the phone does not cover your face or torso.

Choosing a garment photo the AI can read

The garment image matters as much as your own photo. The clearest input is a front view of a single item with nothing cropped off: the whole collar, both sleeves and the full hem. A flat lay on a bed or floor, a garment on a hanger against a door, or a shop photo of a model wearing it all work, as long as the item is not partly hidden by hair, bags or crossed arms.

Avoid photos with heavy shadows, strong filters or several items overlapping, and avoid close-up detail shots. If you are selling or buying on a second-hand app, ask the seller for one straight-on photo of the whole piece; it is useful for you and for every other buyer. Sellers can also follow our guide to white background product photos to make listings clearer.

Limitations: what an AI try-on cannot show

The result is an AI-generated image. It may change details of your face, body shape, pose or background, and it does not show true size, fit or fabric. Treat it like a sketch of the look rather than a photo of you in the actual garment.

Results also vary with the inputs. A blurry garment photo, an unusual pose or an item with complex layers can come out wrong, and a second run with better photos often helps more than repeating the same inputs. For anything where fit matters, such as tailored trousers or a formal dress, rely on the size chart, your own measurements and the shop's return policy. Check the return window and conditions before you order, especially for sale items, which some shops treat differently.

Frequently asked questions