ChatGPT Launches Virtual Try-On Feature to Transform AI-Powered Shopping Experience

Reviewed byNidhi Govil

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OpenAI rolled out virtual try-on capabilities for ChatGPT globally, allowing users to upload photos and visualize how clothing looks on them. Powered by ChatGPT Images 2.5 model, the feature includes a Favorites function to save products. The move mirrors Google Shopping's approach but raises questions about whether users will adopt ChatGPT for fashion discovery.

ChatGPT Introduces Virtual Try-On Powered by Images 2.5 Model

OpenAI launched two new AI-powered shopping features for ChatGPT globally on Thursday, including a virtual try-on capability and a Favorites function

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. Users can now upload a selfie or full-body photo to visualize how clothing and accessories might look on them, with the feature appearing as a "Try on" button in ChatGPT's shopping results

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. The functionality leverages the newly launched ChatGPT Images 2.5 model, which OpenAI claims produces more natural lighting, richer textures, follows editing instructions more reliably, and reduces image generation latency

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Source: TechCrunch

Source: TechCrunch

The virtual try-on feature works seamlessly across desktop and mobile apps. When ChatGPT surfaces clothing recommendations, users can tap the "Try on" button, upload photos, and the AI tool generates an image showing them wearing the item

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. Users aren't limited to ChatGPT's recommendations either—they can share a link to any clothing item or upload a photo of an outfit they like, and the tool will show what it would look like on them

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OpenAI Shopping Features Expand Beyond Basic Product Discovery

The new Favorites function allows users to save products they discover to a Library in the app for later reference, with these items stored alongside try-on images

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. Users can organize finds into custom folders, making it easier to track potential purchases

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. ChatGPT can help users shop in multiple ways: describing a style and asking it to shop for pieces to complete the look, or uploading photos of celebrities' outfits to find items available for purchase

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This positions ChatGPT to compete in areas that Pinterest and Google have dominated as sources for fashion inspiration and product discovery that convert to sales for online retailers

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. The updates arrive as AI assistants explore consumer use cases around shopping, though OpenAI already had to pivot from an earlier instant checkout feature that didn't perform well

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Privacy Considerations and Data Usage for Online Shopping Experience

Reference photos users share are saved so ChatGPT can generate more try-ons later

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. By default, any images uploaded from a personal account can be used for training unless users opt out

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. Users can manage their reference photos by navigating to Settings > Personalization > Reference photos, where they can add, replace, or delete images at any time

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OpenAI's support page cautions that virtual try-on images might not accurately represent the product or user's appearance, and they can't determine whether a particular size will actually fit well

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. The company advises users to check merchant measurements, product details, and return policies before buying

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Following Google Shopping's Lead in E-Commerce Innovation

The concept is nearly identical to a feature Google Shopping introduced over a year ago, which similarly lets users upload photos and see themselves in various clothes

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. Google launched its virtual try-on feature in 2025, establishing a precedent in AI-driven shopping features

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. Whether ChatGPT will become users' first choice for this type of activity remains to be seen, especially given Google's established presence in this space

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Source: PYMNTS

Source: PYMNTS

Recent reports indicate ChatGPT's shopping recommendations haven't always been completely reliable, with instances of it surfacing fake stores and fraudulent storefronts

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. Despite these challenges, OpenAI continues building out ChatGPT's shopping capabilities, having gained basic shopping features in April of last year

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Revenue Implications for Personalized Shopping Technology

While OpenAI isn't an online marketplace on the scale of Amazon, the company has started taking a cut of certain transactions completed in ChatGPT through its Instant Checkout feature

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. The company also offers ads inside chats that merchants can use to advertise products and services

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. Neither revenue source seems sufficient to cover the significant costs OpenAI spends training and running its AI, but the consistent rollout of new shopping features over the past year signals the company believes these capabilities could make a meaningful difference eventually

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. The ability to upload photos to visualize clothing before purchase represents a significant step in personalized shopping technology, though consumer technology adoption patterns will determine whether ChatGPT can carve out meaningful market share in e-commerce and product discovery.

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