Have you ever browsed your favorite store’s website or saw a hot little number while scrolling and thought, “I wonder how this looks on me?” Even with expedited shipping, the wait to find out how good you’ll look in that cute top is sometimes an absolute drag. Nobody wants to waste money on ill-fitting clothing and spend precious time and money on returns. Fortunately, you can save time and money by seeing how clothing looks on you through the new virtual try-on feature on Google Shopping.
Google uses its proprietary Generative AI to create an image of you wearing clothing sold on Google Shopping. The fun feature allows you to see how you look in a multitude of your favorite styles and clothing in mere minutes. We couldn’t get enough of testing the technology and seeing all the looks!
How to Virtually Try On Clothing with Google Shopping
The Stylepox team tested Google Lab’s Virtual Try-On feature for Google Shopping to help you get an idea of how it works. We used an AI-generated image of a woman created by ChatGPT as our base image for testing purposes. Here’s how to set up virtual try-ons on the Google App to enhance your online shopping experience.
1. Open the Google App
Open the latest version of the Google App on your smart device. Download the Google App here for iOS and here for Android. The virtual try-on feature does not currently work on any browser version of Google Shopping.
2. Tap the Google Labs Icon
Tap the Google Labs icon at the top left of the Google App’s Homepage. A partially filled Erlenmeyer flask represents the Google Labs icon.
3. Select “Try Things On”
Scroll down on the Search Labs page and tap the ‘Try things on’ button. Tapping anything other than the ‘Try things on’ button will send you to the Virtual Try-On service page, and this page prompts you to tap another ‘Try things on button.’
4. Upload a Photo
Google Shopping prompts first time virtual try-on users to upload a photo. Tap on the ‘Upload photo’ button and select the photo you want to use. Following Google Shopping’s photo requirements allows Google’s Generative AI to generate the best results. We suggest a picture of you that uses a front-facing and open-body pose.
5. Search for Clothing
Click on the “Search for clothing” search bar and type in the clothing you’re interested in buying. Hit search and you’re one step closer to your virtual dressing room. Hats, footwear, swimwear, and robes are not yet available to try on virtually.
6. Select a Google Shopping Search Result
Scroll passed the sponsored results and select the clothing you’re most interested in trying on or purshasing. Clicking a sponsored result will take you directly to the brand’s website within Google and you won’t be able to virtually try-on the clothing.
7. Tap ‘Try it On’
Tap the ‘Try it on’ button on the lower portion of any of the featured product images to start the virtual try-on process.
8. Wait for the Results
The magic of Google’s AI generating the virtual try-on image is represented by a three-step loading screen. On average, the whole process takes around 15 seconds. The steps are shown as “Creating the look…,” “Almost there…,” and “Adding the final touches…” A message that reads “AI Images may include mistakes. Fit and appearance may not be exact.” is displayed at the bottom of this loading screen.
9. See How It Looks
Vola! You now have an image that shows you wearing the product! You can save the photo by tap-and-holding the image or using the Share icon towards the bottom of the image.
10. Your Virtual Try-On Results
Sliding up or tapping the small tab at the bottom of the product page shows your recent virtual try-on results in Google Shopping. Each recent result has an image carousel that displays the virtual try-on result, the product, and then your uploaded image. The carousel also allows you to shop the product, share the virtual try-on image (or look), save the look, or re-generate the look.
Google requires you to only upload photos of yourself to use this feature. However, it’s still possible to use images of others for virtual try-ons, as we showed with our AI-generated female model. This gives people the opportunity to see how a gift will look on a friend or loved one before it’s purchased. Moreover, predatory users might use the photos of others with dubious intent. Fortunately, Google Shopping doesn’t currently allow lingerie, swimsuits, and bathrobes to be tried on virtually.
Virtual try-ons already exist on certain stores and brand websites. However, Google is the most used website on the internet and is usually the main outlet for shoppers to find the right products or brands. Virtual try-ons on Google Shopping help customers, brands, and Google. Customers see an accurate depiction of how clothing and accessories look on them. Brands have the potential to increase brand awareness and sales dramatically. Google receives more users and user data.
We’re excited for this technology and can’t wait to see how virtual try-ons and AI goon to shape the Fashion industry. Moreover, we’re curious on how Google and other platforms will handle lingerie and swimwear try-ons in the future. For now, we hope you all have as much fun virtually trying-on clothes as we did! Happy shopping!
