The Use of AI in Virtual Try-Ons in Retail

Introduction: Trying Before Buying, Reinvented

There’s something deeply human about trying things on—whether it’s slipping into a jacket or testing a new lipstick. It’s tactile. It’s personal. And it’s often the make-or-break moment between a cart add and an abandoned session.

But here’s the thing: in 2025, this “try-on” moment doesn’t have to happen in-store. It can happen on your couch. Or your commute. Or quite literally, on your smartphone lock screen—thanks to the power of AI virtual try-on.

Blending computer vision, machine learning, and augmented reality, AI try-on technology is bringing the fitting room into the digital age—and making it more inclusive, accessible, and inspiring.

In this blog, we’ll explore how retailers are using AI virtual try-ons to create more confident shoppers, reduce returns, and build futuristic shopping experiences. To understand how this fits into the broader shift toward AI-first commerce.

1. What Is AI Virtual Try-On and How Does It Work?

At its core, AI virtual try-on technology lets users visualize how a product—clothing, eyewear, makeup, shoes—would look on them using a digital overlay.

The process blends:

• Computer vision, to understand body features, face shape, or hand gestures.
  
  
• Machine learning, to personalize fit, shade, or product behavior.
  
  
• AR rendering, to project the product onto live or static images in real time.

The result? A highly realistic, interactive preview that simulates real-world fit or appearance—without the need to touch the item physically.

For retailers, this isn’t just about novelty. It’s a powerful tool for:

• Increasing confidence in online purchases
  
  
• Reducing product returns
  
  
• Personalizing the shopping journey
  
  

As per a Snap & Deloitte study, brands using AR try-on tools report a 66% reduction in returns and a 2x increase in conversion rates.

That’s not just tech. That’s transformation.

2. Why AI Virtual Try-Ons Matter More Than Ever in 2025

Let’s be honest: the way we shop has changed forever.

Consumers today:

• Want to shop across multiple screens, not just one site
  
  
• Expect personalization, not generalization
  
  
• Prefer visual exploration to endless scrolling
  
  

And physical try-ons? They’re inconvenient. Sometimes awkward. Often inaccessible.

Enter AI virtual try-on—a way to bring emotion, intuition, and self-expression into digital shopping.

Here’s what makes 2025 the breakout year:

• Smartphone cameras are more accurate than ever, enabling better 3D body mapping.
  
  
• Gen Z and Gen Alpha expect immersive interfaces, not flat listings.
  
  
• AI engines are faster, smarter, and more intuitive—no more uncanny valley experiences.
  
  

Whether you’re trying lipstick on your selfie or checking how a sneaker looks from multiple angles, AI is bridging the sensory gap between imagination and action.

And with platforms like Glance AI now introducing virtual style previews directly on lock screens, the barrier between interest and decision is collapsing even further.

3. How AI Virtual Try-On Is Used Across Product Categories

AI virtual try-on is no longer limited to sunglasses and lipsticks. In 2025, it’s spanning across every major retail vertical:

1. Fashion & Apparel

• Full-body try-ons using uploaded selfies or 3D avatars
  
  
• Personalized size suggestions based on body shape and previous returns
  
  
• AI styling assistants that recommend matching pieces
  
  

2. Beauty & Cosmetics

• Real-time lipstick, eyeshadow, and foundation try-ons
  
  
• AI shade matching for diverse skin tones
  
  
• Lighting simulation to show product effects in daylight vs. indoor
  
  

3. Eyewear

• Frame fit analysis using facial landmarks
  
  
• Side profile view to assess comfort and proportion
  
  

4. Footwear & Accessories

• Virtual foot scans to recommend shoe size and arch fit
  
  
• Try-ons for watches, bracelets, earrings with 3D hand tracking
  
  

Retailers like Lenskart, Sephora, and Zara are already offering AI try-on experiences that drive significant engagement. And with GenAI visuals entering the scene, brands can now generate entire outfits on virtual models in seconds—tailored to user preference and browsing behavior.

4. The Glance AI Advantage: Passive Discovery Meets Personalized Try-On

Here’s where Glance AI creates something magical.

While most platforms require you to open an app, search for a product, and then initiate the try-on, Glance flips the model.

It delivers:

• AI-generated fashion looks on your smartphone lock screen
  
  
• Persona-based styling based on your uploaded selfie and preferences
  
  
• Future-ready virtual try-on features from the very first tap
  
  

Imagine unlocking your phone and seeing yourself styled in a trending look—complete with dynamic pricing, availability filters, and a try-on preview before even opening a retail site.

This is ambient commerce meets AI stylization—and it’s redefining what it means to “try before you buy.”

Retailers integrating with Glance can:

• Activate product interest before any search
  
  
• Tap into user mood and time-of-day signals
  
  
• Offer AI try-ons as a natural extension of inspiration
  
  

It’s not just about showing clothes. It’s about showing you in them.

5. Business Benefits: Why Retailers Are Embracing Virtual Try-On

The ROI is real. Brands using AI virtual try-on are reporting:

✅ Higher Conversions

Users who try on products digitally are 2.5x more likely to purchase compared to those who don’t. It builds trust.

✅ Lower Return Rates

AI-fit and visualization reduce uncertainty—leading to fewer size-related and appearance-based returns.

✅ Increased Session Time

Interactive features extend engagement—users spend more time exploring variations and combinations.

✅ Inclusive Reach

Virtual try-ons allow users from Tier 2/3 cities, who may not have access to physical stores, to enjoy full-featured experiences.

✅ Sustainable Commerce

Fewer returns mean less carbon-intensive reverse logistics—a win for brand ESG goals.

And because AI adapts constantly, retailers can optimize try-on UX based on real-time data—tweaking backgrounds, fit algorithms, even lighting styles.

6. Challenges and Considerations for Implementation

Let’s be clear—it’s not all plug-and-play. AI virtual try-on comes with its challenges:

⚠️ Accuracy & Fit Issues

No two bodies or faces are alike. AI must be trained on diverse datasets to avoid biased or misleading visuals.

⚠️ Latency and UX Friction

Slow try-on loads = bounce. Platforms need lightning-fast rendering and device optimization.

⚠️ Privacy and Data Consent

Uploading selfies or enabling camera access means platforms must be clear about data use and storage. Compliance with GDPR and India’s DPDPA is non-negotiable.

⚠️ Content Volume

To power compelling try-ons, brands need clean product imagery, metadata, and 3D assets—something many still struggle to scale.

That said, as platforms like Glance AI standardize virtual try-on as a native part of discovery, we’ll see faster adoption—and smarter frameworks that simplify integration for retailers of all sizes.

7. Future Outlook: Try-Ons Become the Default, Not the Feature

In the next 12–24 months, we expect:

• GenAI avatars that create lifelike digital models of users for styling across categories.
  
  
• Multi-product try-ons, allowing users to build entire looks and see them on themselves.
  
  
• Wearable try-ons, extending to smartwatches, jewelry, and even digital sneakers for the metaverse.
  
  
• Social-integrated try-ons, letting users share their try-on previews with friends for feedback.
  
  

Retail will move from product-forward design to person-forward interaction, where everything starts with a question:

“How would this look on me?”

And AI will answer it instantly.

Conclusion: The Try-On is Now in Your Pocket

AI virtual try-on isn’t a gimmick. It’s a bridge between inspiration and confidence. Between scroll and shop. Between maybe and yes.

Retailers who integrate this technology now will gain:

• A deeper connection with their audience
  
  
• A measurable edge in conversion and returns
  
  
• A head start in the race to AI-native commerce
  
  

And platforms like Glance.com are accelerating this shift—by placing AI styling, personalization, and virtual previews at the lock screen level. Not in an app. Not buried in navigation. Right where discovery begins.

To understand how virtual try-ons fit into the larger AI-powered retail revolution—from inventory planning to predictive personalization Because in 2025, the best fitting room is wherever your customer is.