Exploring AI for Outfit Selection
The intriguing question of whether to allow artificial intelligence to curate our wardrobes took a personal turn for me at my son’s third birthday party. Clad in a mint-green tulle midi dress, complete with sheer ballooning sleeves, I faced a mixture of surprise and incredulity from my friend, who remarked, “I didn’t realise we were dressing up.” The avant-garde choice was, in fact, not mine but selected by AI through a styling app that I had decided to try amidst the chaos of motherhood and decision fatigue.
Having a penchant for quirky clothing styles, I once found joy in expressing my identity through fashion. However, the arrival of my second child had forced me into a rut, stricken with a paralyzing array of outfit options that only added to my daily stress. With limited time to dedicate to getting dressed, the prospect of having a personal stylist—albeit a digital one—became increasingly appealing.
In search of a solution, I downloaded an AI styling app to streamline my morning routine. The app, Acloset, promised to digitize my wardrobe and generate outfit suggestions based on the items I owned. Although there are several virtual wardrobe platforms currently available, I was drawn to Acloset’s capabilities, which included outfit creation and algorithm-generated suggestions based on occasion and colour preferences.
To initiate the experiment, I needed to upload my clothing items into the app either by photographing them or searching for them online. The task of digitizing my wardrobe turned out to be exhilarating, as I scrolled through virtual representations of my beloved pieces. The app offered various functions, but I quickly discovered that its general categories did not align with my specific life as a busy parent. Instead of broad labels like “work” or “date,” I often needed options like “Taking the Toddler for Vaccines” or “Cleaning Up After Breakfast.”
Day one resulted in me wearing a voluminous red midi skirt paired with a matching puff-sleeve top and silver Mary Jane pumps to a baby class. Uncomfortable for crawling but bold, I tried to embrace the AI-generated ensemble. Surprisingly, I found delight in wearing something audacious that I may not have chosen myself—a revelation of sorts, opening my mind to push sartorial boundaries once more.
Daily outfit suggestions ranged from misses to hits, each outfit asserting its unique take on my personal style. While I sometimes encountered styles like a cream satin maxi skirt paired with a fuchsia shirt that made me feel lively, there were times I received outfits that leaned a bit too much into the “soccer mom” aesthetic. Nonetheless, the AI selections prompted me to rediscover what I enjoyed wearing, with several pieces rekindling a spark within my dulled fashion sense.
As the week progressed, I found much to appreciate about the app’s ability to simplify my dressing routine, allowing me to spend minimal time choosing outfits without sacrificing an essence of individuality. Even as I faced an unexpected bout of illness at home, leading me to dig out my comfortable pajamas, the experience revitalized my sense of style that felt dormant for far too long.
By the end of the experiment, the personal touch remained evident in each AI-generated outfit, as all clothing originated from my own wardrobe. Friends began to respond positively to my bold choices, one even commenting, “I just thought it was such a ‘you’ outfit.” My foray into AI-assisted styling not only encouraged me to break out of a fashion rut but also provided a reminder of my capability for self-expression in a busy life.