Google's new experimental app, Doppl, uses AI to let you virtually try on any outfit from a photo. See how it works and what it could mean for the future of fashion discovery and online shopping.
The biggest uncertainty in online shopping has always been the fit. Countless purchases are returned because the item that looked perfect on the model doesn't quite translate to our own body shape. Google is aiming to address this long-standing issue with its latest project from Google Labs: an experimental app called Doppl. This new tool uses artificial intelligence to help you visualize how almost any outfit might look on you, using nothing more than a couple of photos.
Doppl is a standalone mobile app designed to be your personal, digital fitting room. It builds upon the virtual try-on technology previously introduced in Google Shopping but with a significant personalization component. Instead of seeing clothes on a range of pre-selected models, Doppl creates a digital, animated version of you.
The process is straightforward. Once you've downloaded the app, you upload a full-body photo of yourself. This image serves as the base for your personal avatar. From there, the real fun begins. Whenever you find an outfit you like—whether it's a screenshot from social media, a photo of a friend's cool jacket, or a picture you snapped of a unique piece at a thrift shop—you can upload it to Doppl.
The app's AI then gets to work, generating an image of your digital self wearing that exact outfit. But it doesn't stop at a static picture. Doppl also creates short, AI-generated videos that animate the look, giving you a more dynamic sense of how the fabric might hang and move in real life. You can save your favorite looks to a personal gallery or share them with friends to get a second opinion before making a purchase.
If you're in the United States, you can start experimenting with Doppl right away. Here’s a simple guide:
Google is clear that Doppl is still in its early stages. As a Google Labs project, it's meant for exploration and gathering user feedback. The company readily admits that the technology isn't perfect yet. In a blog post, Google stated, "As a Google Labs experiment, Doppl is in its early days and it might not always get things right. Fit, appearance and clothing details may not always be accurate."
This transparency is crucial. While the app provides a glimpse into the future of retail, users should view it as a style discovery tool rather than a guarantee of perfect fit. By launching it as a standalone app, Google can collect valuable data on how people interact with this kind of technology, which will undoubtedly inform its future efforts in the e-commerce and AI space.
Doppl represents a significant step toward making online fashion more personal and interactive. It has the potential to reduce the friction and uncertainty of shopping online, potentially leading to fewer returns and more confident purchasing decisions. While the technology matures, the app currently serves as a playful and useful tool for style exploration. It encourages users to look beyond traditional retail websites for inspiration and to imagine how different styles might complement their personal wardrobe. As we continue to blend our digital and physical lives, tools like Doppl might just become an indispensable part of how we define and discover our personal style.
So, another digital mirror to feed one's vanity and encourage people to buy clothes they probably don't need? The world was crying out for that. To be honest, the initial application seems tailored to fuel the fast-fashion cycle. And given Google's own admission that the "fit, appearance and clothing details may not always be accurate," this seems like a recipe for a new kind of body dysmorphia. Great, now a person can be disappointed by how clothes actually fit them twice: once in the app, and again when the package arrives. It’s a bold attempt to solve the 'what if' of online shopping, but it might just create a new layer of digital illusion.
However, let's look past the obvious. The true disruption here isn't with major online retailers; it's with the circular and independent economy. Imagine this technology integrated directly into platforms like Vinted, Depop, or The RealReal. A seller of a unique, second-hand blazer could offer a virtual try-on for potential buyers. This would dramatically increase buyer confidence in pre-owned clothing, a market often hampered by sizing inconsistencies and no-return policies. This could be a massive catalyst for sustainable fashion.
Or think smaller. A bespoke tailor on Etsy could use this to show a client in another country how a custom-designed suit will look on their specific body type before a single piece of fabric is cut. This lowers the barrier for small artisans to compete on a global scale. In the B2B space, a company procuring new uniforms for thousands of employees could use Doppl to let everyone get their sizing right virtually, decimating the logistical nightmare and environmental waste of shipping and returning thousands of items. The potential to reduce returns across the board—from high fashion to corporate workwear—is where the real value lies, turning a tool for style into a powerful instrument for efficiency and sustainability.
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