Online apparel shopping continues to shift with changing customer expectations. As more shoppers buy clothes without visiting a physical store, brands must offer better digital experiences. One of the most promising additions is virtual try-on clothes—a feature that brings the fitting room experience to any screen.
Adding this function to a Shopify fashion store isn’t just a trend. It creates visual clarity for shoppers and increases the chances of a confident purchase. This blog explains how AR for a Shopify apparel store functions, how to plan its setup, and what tools can support it. If you’re aiming to add AR clothing try-on Shopify features to your online shop, this guide walks through all the steps that matter.
Why Virtual Try-On Matters for Apparel Stores
Buying clothes online always brings a bit of doubt. Will the size work? Does the fabric fall the way it should? Does the color match the photo? While detailed product pages help, they don’t solve every issue. This is where augmented reality in fashion eCommerce brings a real difference.
With virtual try-on clothes, shoppers can see how an item looks on them before placing the order. It helps reduce product returns and boosts decision-making. According to industry studies, fashion products with AR try-on features tend to see better engagement. Customers who use these features spend more time on product pages and are less likely to leave without buying.
Even better, this experience builds trust. Apparel shoppers often hesitate with new brands. A digital try-on adds a layer of confidence, especially if the experience feels realistic. It’s no longer enough to show static photos. Movement, fit, and texture visuals speak louder.
How Virtual Try-On Works Inside a Shopify Apparel Store
Understanding how virtual try-on works isn’t just for developers or tech teams — it’s important for store owners too. Knowing the basic flow can help you plan better, choose the right tools, and explain the feature to your customers clearly.
Here’s a simplified breakdown of how AR clothing try-on Shopify features are structured within a typical Shopify fashion store:
1. Digital Clothing Models are Created
Clothing items are scanned or designed in 3D using special tools. These models replicate the texture, shape, and fall of each item. They are lightweight enough to load quickly but still offer realism.
2. AR Viewer is Connected to the Product Page
An AR plugin or app is installed through the Shopify admin. This connects each product to its matching 3D model. When users visit the product page, the AR viewer loads in the background.
3. User Activates the AR Feature on Their Device
A button or icon prompts users to “Try It On” or “View in AR.” Tapping the button opens the camera on phones, tablets, or webcams. The clothing item appears in real-time on the user’s screen, layered over their live image.
4. Real-Time Rendering Brings the Try-On to Life
The software tracks body position or face to align the clothing. As users move, the model adjusts to stay in place. Some tools allow rotation, zooming, or color changes within the AR view.
5. Shopify Handles the Rest of the Purchase Flow
Once satisfied, users return to the product page. They can pick sizes, add to cart, and complete checkout as usual. The AR interaction helps them feel more confident about their choice.
On Shopify, store owners can add this feature using third-party apps or plugins. These tools handle the backend code and connect product data to AR displays. With AR clothing try-on technology, it’s possible to turn standard product pages into interactive shopping experiences.
Top 5 Virtual Try-On Apps for Your Shopify Apparel Store
Adding virtual try-on features to your Shopify store can increase engagement, reduce returns, and improve customer satisfaction. To help you find the right tool, we’ve listed some of the top-rated apps available on the Shopify App Store that focus on virtual try-on clothes, AR clothing try-on technology, and AI-based fit personalization.
Each app below supports fashion and apparel sellers, offering a mix of augmented reality, AI styling, and personalized fit tools.
1. AI Virtual Try-On by EdgeCloud
This app allows customers to upload selfies and try on clothing from your store using advanced AI. The system analyzes the image and overlays garments with realistic fit alignment. It’s ideal for mobile shoppers and supports high-speed rendering.
Key Features:
Selfie-based try-on system
AI fit alignment for more accurate visuals
Quick clothing previews for multiple products
Mobile-friendly interface
Easy integration with existing Shopify stores
Best for: Fashion retailers want a fast and user-friendly try-on experience that feels personal and realistic.
AI Stylist combines virtual try-on features with smart size recommendations. It helps reduce return rates by guiding shoppers to the right fit. The app supports a wide variety of clothing types and comes with flexible pricing tiers.
Key Features:
Virtual try-on functionality across multiple clothing categories
AI-powered sizing suggestions based on body type
Helps customers find well-fitting items
Works with different budget levels through pricing plans
Ideal for small to medium-sized apparel stores
Best for: Brands are looking to improve fit accuracy and customer satisfaction while keeping return rates low.
LISA allows shoppers to see themselves wearing your clothing with hyper-realistic visuals. It works by overlaying clothing onto uploaded images using advanced AI modeling. The app integrates into your Shopify product pages without coding.
Key Features:
Realistic clothing overlays on customer images
Easy integration with Shopify pages
No technical skills required
Gives customers confidence in style and fit before they buy
Supports various clothing types and styles
Best for: Fashion stores focused on realism and visual confidence without needing a developer.
OnYou provides a full AI shopping assistant experience. Shoppers can see themselves in your products, get size suggestions, and interact with a try-on tool that feels intuitive and quick.
Key Features:
AI-powered virtual try-on from uploaded images
Personalized sizing recommendations
Built-in shopping assistant to guide choices
Works on mobile and desktop
Reduces sizing-related returns
Best for: Stores that want an all-in-one experience with try-on visuals and built-in personalization.
Camweara offers AR-powered virtual try-on not just for clothing, but also for accessories like jewelry, watches, and eyewear. It supports both live video and photo mode, allowing customers to see how products look on them in real time.
Key Features:
Augmented Reality-based product previews
Supports jewelry, eyewear, watches, clothing, and more
Live video and photo-based try-ons
Compatible across different devices and browsers
Lightweight and fast-loading experience
Best for: Fashion retailers who also sell accessories and want to offer a full-range AR preview system.
Each of these apps brings something unique to the table — from AI virtual try-on clothes to augmented reality for online clothing stores. The best one for your Shopify store depends on your product range, target audience, and how deep you want to go into AR and AI styling.
Step-by-Step Process to Add Virtual Try-On to a Shopify Apparel Store
Adding a virtual try-on feature for Shopify fashion store products involves more than just installing an app. It includes 3D asset preparation, tech alignment, testing, and UI planning. Below is a realistic, no-fluff guide based on actual Shopify store setups, AR tool integration workflows, and developer documentation from leading virtual try-on providers.
Step 1: Prepare Product Inventory with 3D or 2D Assets
Before you can offer virtual try-on clothes, you need digital versions of your products. Most virtual try-on tools work with:
2D Images + AI Fit Models (e.g., AI Stylist)
3D Models (GLB/GLTF formats) for full AR overlays (e.g., Camweara)
If your products don’t already exist in 3D, you have three options:
Use CLO 3D, Browzwear, or Marvelous Designer to create realistic garments
Outsource scanning to a vendor like CGTrader or 3DLOOK
Use AI tools that convert 2D catalog images to try-on-ready assets
According to Shopify’s AR documentation, 3D models must not exceed 4MB for best performance. GLB is the preferred format for fast web rendering.
Step 2: Choose a Try-On App That Matches Your Store’s Needs
There’s no one-size-fits-all. Your choice of AR or AI try-on app depends on:
Product type (clothing only vs. clothing + accessories)
Depth of interaction (static photo vs. live camera AR)
Here’s a quick insight based on real performance metrics:
AI Virtual Try-On by EdgeCloud: Mobile-first, fast, selfie upload + try-on
Camweara: Real-time AR, widely used in jewelry and apparel hybrid stores
Most try-on apps offer free trials. Try multiple tools before committing to a pricing plan.
Step 3: Upload and Link Products Inside the App Dashboard
Once you install your chosen app from theShopify App Store, you’ll get access to a separate dashboard.
What you do inside the dashboard:
Match products with their 3D models or AI-fit data
Set up clothing categories (e.g., tops, jackets, dresses)
Configure fallback image rules for unsupported devices
Input size-related metadata (if your app supports AI-based fitting)
Some tools like 3DLOOK and OnYou allow integration with Shopify’s product feed via API, while others require manual upload.
Note: Avoid using heavy image compression. Test files across multiple networks (3G, 4G, Wi-Fi) to monitor real-world loading times.
Step 4: Embed the Try-On Feature into Your Shopify Theme
This part requires basic Shopify theme editing, but some apps do this automatically. Here’s how it usually works:
You insert a script or shortcode into your product-template.liquid or main-product.liquid file
The button or widget (e.g., “Try This On”) appears above or below the “Add to Cart” button
You can customize the button label, design, and placement through theme settings or app dashboards
According to Shopify UX research, product pages with clear CTAs near the product title and images see a +17% increase in try-on feature usage.
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Step 5: Test the Feature on Multiple Devices and Browsers
Before launch, test the experience on:
iOS Safari
Android Chrome
Desktop Chrome, Firefox, Safari
You’re looking for:
Image clarity and alignment
Load speed (ideal: <2 seconds for the AR feature)
AR compatibility (not all browsers support live try-on)
Responsive UI for different screen sizes
Use browser dev tools and tools likeBrowserStack for broader testing coverage.
Add session recording tools like Hotjar or Microsoft Clarity to watch how users interact with the try-on feature post-launch.
Step 6: Launch With In-Page Prompts and UX Enhancements
A try-on feature won’t drive results if shoppers don’t notice it. Add visual prompts to promote it:
Highlight the feature in your product title (e.g., “Try it on now!”)
Use an attention-grabbing badge or icon near product images
Add a banner explaining how it works (especially for first-time users)
Promote it via email, social, and retargeting campaigns
According to Shopify, products that show a “View in Your Space” or “Try It On” button see an average +94% increase in engagement compared to static-only product pages.
Step 7: Monitor Performance and Adjust
After launch, track:
Try-on feature engagement rate
Drop-off rate on product pages
Return rate (compare before and after AR implementation)
If results feel low:
Reposition the CTA
Adjust 3D visuals for better lighting or realism
Enable the feature for more product categories
Tools like Google Analytics 4, Mixpanel, and Shopify Reports can help track try-on interaction events.
Adding augmented reality for online clothing stores isn’t just about the tech. It’s also about how well it blends with your store’s layout, speed, and branding.
Real-World Examples of Fashion Brands Using Virtual Try-On on Shopify
Integrating virtual try-on technology into Shopify fashion stores has become an effective strategy for enhancing customer engagement and reducing return rates. Several fashion brands have successfully implemented this technology to provide immersive shopping experiences. Here are some notable examples:
1. Rebecca Minkoff
Rebecca Minkoff, a contemporary fashion brand, was an early adopter of augmented reality (AR) and virtual try-on technologies. The company incorporated 3D modeling and AR into its website, allowing shoppers to interact with AR-rendered products before making purchases. This innovation enabled customers to visualize products in their environment, enhancing confidence in their buying decisions.
2. Gucci
Luxury fashion house Gucci introduced an AR feature in its mobile app, enabling users to virtually try on products from its Ace sneaker line. Customers could view shoes from different angles and use a built-in photo-capture tool to share images on social media. This initiative positioned Gucci among the first luxury brands to embrace virtual try-on, resulting in a significant increase in online sales.
3. Zara
Zara implemented virtual try-on technology in select stores using smart mirrors. When customers approached the mirror with an item, it displayed how the clothing would look on them, eliminating the need for physical try-ons and streamlining the shopping experience.
4. DRESSX
DRESSX, established in August 2020, is considered the largest retailer of digital fashion. The platform allows users to dress in digital garments in photos and videos. In August 2021, DRESSX launched its first augmented reality fashion app, enabling users to apply 3D garments and accessories to real-time photos and videos, collaborating with brands like Balenciaga and American Eagle
Need Help Setting Up Your Shopify Apparel Store? CartCoders Can Help
Building a Shopify fashion store with features like virtual try-on requires more than just a good idea — it needs smart execution. That’s where CartCoders comes in.
Whether you’re launching a new store or upgrading an existing one, CartCoders offers tailored Shopify development services for fashion retailers. From theme customization to Shopify virtual try-on integration, the team handles both technical and creative aspects of your store setup.
What CartCoders Can Do:
Customize product pages to support AR try-on apps
Integrate leading virtual try-on tools like LISA or Camweara
Ensure mobile responsiveness and fast load times
Improve UI/UX to keep customers engaged
Assist with app testing, placement, and CTA optimization
If you want your Shopify fashion store to stand out with interactive features that work, CartCoders provides the support and skills to get it right, without the hassle.
Final Thoughts
Virtual try-on is changing online fashion retail. It adds clarity to product pages and helps shoppers make faster, more confident decisions. With the rise of AR for Shopify apparel store features, this isn’t just a trend — it’s a practical way to improve the buying experience.
Accurate visuals, easy access, and solid placement can drive better engagement and reduce returns. If you’re launching or upgrading your Shopify store, CartCoders can assist with setup, AR integration, and store performance. Give shoppers a reason to stay, try, and buy — with tech that works and a setup built to support it.
As the CTO at Shiv Technolabs & CartCoders, I am liable for instigating, planning, integrating, and implementing the organization's strategic orientation.
I gather the most significant tech news in addition to sharing the information I gained while serving as the CTO of Shiv Technolabs, a renowned web and mobile app development company. I am pleased to answer questions as a most valuable expert for Shiv Technolabs Private Limited and to share my experience. I offer a keen insider's perspective on technical advancements.
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