Google Search's new virtual try-on takes generative AI to give realistic clothing shapes on its real-life models of different sizes and skin colours.
Have you ever wondered if the cute top you found would hold its shape nicely? Google Search now has a new Virtual Try-on feature for online shopping, using generative AI to fill the gaps where conventional virtual try-ons cannot.
According to Google, 42% of online shoppers don’t feel represented by the models seen in clothing brands, and 59% are dissatisfied with clothes they purchase online because it looks different on them than expected. Often, a virtual try-on of clothing doesn’t do a great job of properly ‘deforming’ clothes to fit a person’s silhouette, which leads to dissatisfaction.
Example of virtual try-on at work. None of the real-life models here actually wore the top, but it looks so natural, even on models of different physiques and ethnicities.
To alleviate that, Google Search has implemented several changes beyond the wardrobe. The search engine now uses generative AI for its virtual try-on feature, which generates every pixel on a piece of garment to produce hyperrealistic images of clothes on people. The new AI model is then further trained on Google’s Shopping Graph, the company’s very own dataset on online shopping.
Further to its vastly improved virtual try-on is the addition of Google’s built-in, diverse set of real-life models to try on clothes. According to Google, the models represent a diverse range of body types and skin tones, ranging from size XXS to size 4XL, with the Monk Skin Tone scale as a reference for skin colours. The models also feature a range of ethnicities and hair types. We suppose this is just one step away from uploading your body dimensions to do virtual try-ons, but that’s a better start than a one-dimensional representation.
Google's library of real-life models, all ready to help you virtually try on any top you fancy, across all the supported clothing brands on the search engine.
Another benefit of implementing virtual try-on directly into Google Search is the ability to use this feature across a wide range of clothing brands. From today (15 June 2023) onwards, U.S.-based shoppers can try on women’s tops from a variety of supported brands like Anthropologie, Everlane, H&M and LOFT. If the product supports virtual try-on, a “Try On” button will be inside your search results.
Google also added a sub-feature to the virtual try-on functionality. Users can also find other clothing options based on what they’ve tried, and see if there are similar products available. You can sort by colour, style, pattern, and price, and it’s not limited to a single brand or retailer. For a start, this filtering sub-feature is available to tops.
Source: Google (blog)
Our articles may contain affiliate links. If you buy through these links, we may earn a small commission.