Just as Windows 95 turned 20, so did the monumental film about cliques and high school drama, Clueless. Featuring a very young Paul Rudd and Alicia Silverstone, it would go on to inspire many more high-school themed TV shows and the like in the years to come.
But perhaps the first thing you’ll remember about Cher Horowitz is the virtual wardrobe she had, which could scan your body shape and pick out outfits for you. Well, like they say, the technology of yesterday carves the way for the technology of today, so yes, the computerised wardrobe has finally become a reality.
Real Clothes, Real Bodies
A while ago, London tech company Metail launched a digital fitting room that allows you to see how clothes online will look on your own body. In 2012, they went into a partnership with telecomm giant Singtel to further extend their reach in Asia, and have since opened a satellite office here in Singapore.
So how does Metail work, exactly?
According to their site, “Metail is able to deliver a 94-96% accurate 3D model of you, complete with your hairstyle and skin tone. More and more people are experimenting with how new looks look on their MeModel, relaxed in the intimacy of their own home with their own online fitting room.”
So instead of the ‘good lighting’ and ‘slimming mirrors’ that might trick you in actual fitting rooms, the software claims to give you a more realistic idea of fit based on your figure. If you’d like, you can even upload your outfits from Metail onto Facebook, which will serve as a feedback platform.
“Empowering”
Often with online shopping, it’s hard to gauge fitting and sizing with the stock model pictures they provide, leaving you, the customer, a little frustrated and sometimes bitter. Beyond the practicalities of a digital wardrobe, CEO Tom Adeyoola started Metail to “create and empower everyone’s online body identity” — which is why users are encouraged to build their own MeModel on the software. Image empowering is one of the company values as Metail strongly believes that every body is unique and should be celebrated. You go, Metail!
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=b6oSVRGJHks
Trial and A Lot Of Error
Of course, I decided to put Metail to good use. To start off, I created a MeModel and was surprised at how accurate they got my body shape. The face of course, surpasses me in beauty, aesthetic, and elegance — but let’s not delve into that. To begin, you can view the entire catalogue or check out the brands available on Metail. Upon trying some shirts and things, I realised “Wow, I do not look good in a lot of clothes which I have.” Damn, reality bites.
This is how I usually dress. Sloppy, boyish, and definitely unfashionable. Note: I added the shiny green duffle coat because it is awesome.
This is how my mother would like me to dress. Like, actually wear dresses.
This is what I found on Metail that I wish I could pull off. Feeling a bit festive, eh?
Verdict: 4/5
Metail is definitely useful. I learnt a lot about what looks good and what doesn’t on my body shape, in a non-shaming or embarrassing way. It actually got me to be interested, for a moment, in fashion. Plus, there’s a whole page dedicated to Clueless, so you can dress like your favourite characters on the show.
Still, the catalogue could be further populated as it is looking a little bit sparse at the moment (three pages of clothes is hardly enough!) but we reckon it’s what the team are working on at the moment. Also missing is a men’s section, which I am sure they will appreciate greatly. That said, with shopping — both online and offline — being such a favourite pastime here, we reckon we’ll see wider usage of Metail in the near future.