ChatGPT Adds Virtual Clothing Try-On

OpenAI is expanding ChatGPT's shopping capabilities with virtual try-on features for clothing and accessories. Users can use their own photos to see how items might look on them, according to the announcement, and save products they like to a Favorites library. The update turns ChatGPT from a primarily text-based assistant into a more visual, interactive shopping companion. Instead of just describing an item or offering recommendations, the system can help users visualize fit and style before deciding whether to buy. This move puts OpenAI into closer competition with e-commerce platforms that already use AI for product discovery, sizing, and personalization. Virtual try-on is meant to address a familiar problem in online retail: shoppers cannot physically inspect or test an item, so they may be unsure about size, color, or how a garment will drape. By generating a preview using the user's photo, ChatGPT could reduce some of that uncertainty and make browsing more engaging. The feature also reflects a broader shift toward multimodal AI, where text, images, and user-generated media work together. A shopper might ask for outfit ideas, upload a photo, try on several options, and bookmark favorites in one conversation. For retailers, that could create new ways to reach customers and reduce returns, though some may also see ChatGPT as a competitor or a new channel they need to integrate with. Privacy and trust will be central. Users will need to understand how their photos are stored and used, and whether generated try-on images are accurate or flattering rather than misleading. The technology may work better for some body types, garments, and lighting conditions than others. OpenAI is betting that convenience and engagement will outweigh those concerns, but the feature's success will depend on whether it makes shopping genuinely easier and whether users feel comfortable handing more personal visual data to an AI assistant.