Virtual Try-On at Twill Up: Innovation or Just a Fancy Gimmick? A Developer’s Honest Reflection
At Twill Up, we’ve always believed in blending fashion with function—creating not just clothes, but experiences. As a developer, I recently took a bold step in that direction: building a mobile application that allows customers to virtually try on our garments by simply clicking a photo in-store.
The idea seemed promising on paper—something futuristic, sleek, and definitely exciting. Customers walk in, click a picture, and instantly see how a shirt or trouser from our rack would look on them. No changing rooms, no guessing sizes, no mess.
We launched the prototype quietly in our store, with hopes of elevating the shopping experience. And then came the mixed wave of feedback.
The First Wave: Curiosity, Confusion & Some Smiles
Some customers loved it. Their eyes lit up when they saw their digital selves wearing something new. A few smiled and even clicked more than one try-on. That moment of delight was, honestly, the reward I had dreamt of as a creator.
But not everyone was convinced.
The Reality Check: “I Don’t Look This Dark”, “I’m Not Interested”
Several users were hesitant. A few felt that the image didn’t represent their true skin tone. Some just weren’t excited about seeing a virtual version of themselves—they preferred the old-school mirror. Others mentioned that while the concept was "cool," they didn’t feel connected to the output.
A few even jokingly said, “You should be selling this technology, not shirts!” And that made me think… Had I built something customers needed, or just something I wanted to build?
When Innovation Meets Real Life
Developing this tool was a journey—technically challenging but deeply satisfying. I genuinely believed it could add value by saving customers time, offering more choices, and making shopping more engaging.
But as the app met real people, I realized something important: technology in retail isn’t just about how smart it is—it’s about how people feel using it.
And right now, those feelings are mixed.
The Confusion: Keep It or Kill It?
So here I am, weeks after the launch, still unsure. Is this app a novelty? A stepping stone to something better? Or a distraction from what really matters—good fabric, great fit, and honest pricing?
I see the potential. I see the hiccups. And most of all, I see the room to grow.
Hope Over Hype
Innovation takes time. And often, it takes patience to listen, adapt, and refine. I’m still gathering feedback, still tweaking the design, still trying to make the virtual try-on more accurate, more inclusive, and more relatable.
Will it stay forever as part of Twill Up’s experience? I don’t know yet. But I do know this: it's an honest attempt to make shopping smarter and more fun, even if it’s still a work in progress.
From the Desk of a Developer (Who Also Loves Fabric)
At Twill Up, we’re not just selling clothes. We’re trying to rethink how people shop—without gimmicks, without inflated prices, and without losing the human connection.
Maybe the app isn’t perfect. But it sparked smiles. It started conversations. And maybe, just maybe, that’s how every good idea begins.
Let’s see where it goes from here.
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