Virtual Try-On: How It Works & Tips for Best Results

Virtual try-on has gone from a novelty to a genuinely useful tool. Today's AI can generate photorealistic images of you wearing any garment — from a designer dress to a vintage jacket you spotted at a thrift store. But the quality of the result depends heavily on what you give the AI to work with.

Here's how the technology works and how to get the best possible results.

How Virtual Try-On Works

Modern virtual try-on uses generative AI models (like Gemini and GPT-5 image generation) rather than the old 'overlay and stretch' approach. Instead of pasting a flat garment image onto your photo, the AI understands the 3D structure of both your body and the clothing. It generates a new image where the garment wraps naturally around your form, with realistic lighting, shadows, and fabric draping.

The process works in three stages:

• Body analysis — the AI identifies your pose, body proportions, skin tone, and lighting conditions
• Garment understanding — the AI analyzes the clothing item's shape, fabric, color, and how it should drape
• Image synthesis — the AI generates a new photorealistic image combining both, preserving your identity while accurately rendering the garment

Tips for Better Person Photos

Your photo is the foundation. A great base photo leads to dramatically better results:

• Use a full-body shot when possible. The AI can extend the frame for partial shots, but starting with a full body produces more natural results.
• Stand in a relaxed, natural pose. Arms slightly away from the body give the AI more room to work with.
• Choose a simple, uncluttered background. A plain wall is ideal. Busy backgrounds can confuse the AI.
• Ensure even lighting. Avoid strong shadows on one side of your body. Natural daylight or bright indoor lights work best.
• Wear fitted clothing. Loose or bulky clothes make it harder for the AI to understand your body shape. The garment you're wearing will be replaced anyway.

Tips for Better Garment Photos

If you're uploading your own garment photo (rather than pasting a store URL), these tips help:

• Lay the garment flat or hang it against a plain background
• Capture the full garment in frame — avoid cutting off sleeves or hems
• Use even lighting without strong shadows
• Avoid heavily wrinkled items — smooth the garment before photographing

Choosing the Right AI Model

FitInView offers multiple AI models for try-on. Each has strengths:

• Flash (Gemini) — Fast (5-8 seconds), good quality, best for quick checks and casual browsing. Uses fewer credits.
• HD Pro (Gemini Pro) — Slower (15-25 seconds) but higher resolution and more detailed fabric rendering. Best for final decisions and sharing.
• GPT-5 Image — Alternative style, sometimes produces more creative interpretations. Good for editorial-style shots.

Multi-Item Try-On

FitInView supports trying on up to 5 items at once. This works best when you specify items from different zones (top, bottom, shoes, accessories) rather than multiple items competing for the same zone. The AI handles layering (shirt under blazer) when garment zones are clear.

Common Issues and Fixes

• Garment looks too flat — try a different base photo with clearer body contours, or switch to HD Pro mode
• Face looks different — ensure your base photo has good lighting; the AI sometimes adjusts skin tone to match garment lighting
• Lower body missing — if using a headshot, the AI extends the frame; results improve with full-body starting photos
• Generation fails — simplify the request (fewer items, clearer garment photo) and try again