Online shoppers know the struggle: buying clothes without trying them on often leads to regret and returns. Google might have a remedy for those “buy and return” dilemmas. The company is quietly testing a new way to try on outfits virtually before you hit “buy.” Imagine being able to see how that jacket or dress looks on you without stepping into a store.
This experimental approach is all about saving us from those ill-fitting online purchases that end up being sent back. Instead of guessing, you could preview outfits on your own digital avatar, bringing the fitting room into your home.
From Search Labs to Your Wardrobe
Not long ago, Google introduced an AI-powered virtual try-on feature in Search that let users upload a photo and see clothing (shirts, pants, dresses, etc.) on their own body. That tool was limited to certain products on Google Shopping, but it hinted at what was coming next.
Now Google is taking the idea a step further with a stand-alone experiment that frees the virtual try-on from those product listings.
Trying On Any Outfit, Anytime
Using the new app is refreshingly straightforward. First, you provide a full-body photo of yourself (or you can even choose one of the app’s AI-generated models if you prefer). Once your virtual self is set up, you can upload any outfit image you come across – whether it’s a dress you saw on Instagram, your friend’s cool jacket, or a snapshot from a boutique.
Bringing Static Photos to Life
The virtual try-on experience doesn’t stop at static images. This app can magically turn a still photo into a short video of “you” wearing the outfit. In practice, once you’ve generated the look, you can tap an animate option, and the tool will produce a brief AI-generated video showing you moving in the outfit.
This gives a much better feel for how a flowy dress twirls or how a jacket fits when you move your arms.
Meet Doppl
After building some suspense, here’s the reveal: Google’s new virtual try-on app is called Doppl. Officially launched as an experiment under the Google Labs banner, Doppl leverages generative AI to visualize outfits on a digital you. The concept behind the name evokes “doppelgänger,” and that’s fitting – the app creates a realistic digital double of you for trying on clothes.
Google announced Doppl in late June 2025, highlighting it as a creative tool to help users explore their style in new ways.
What You Can (and Can’t) Try On
As innovative as Doppl is, it does have some limits on what types of clothing it can handle. At launch, the virtual try-on works best for standard apparel like tops, bottoms (e.g. pants or skirts), and dresses. These categories were a natural starting point (they’re the same types of garments Google’s Shopping try-on focused on). If you’re wondering about shoes, hats, or jewelry – those aren’t supported yet.
In fact, Doppl currently excludes certain items like shoes, lingerie, swimsuits, and accessories, and even some traditional or cultural garments might not render well in the app.
Expect Quirks
Because Doppl is part of Google Labs, it comes with the usual caveats of an experimental AI tool. Google itself stresses that results may not be perfect. In fact, when announcing the app, Google noted that Doppl “might not always get things right” and that fit, appearances, and clothing details may be inaccurate at times.
Users have indeed noticed quirky outputs – a sleeve that blends weirdly into the background, a face that looks a bit off, or patterns that don’t exactly match reality.
Built-In Privacy
Any app that uses your photos raises privacy questions, and Google has baked some safeguards into Doppl’s design. When you use Doppl, the images you upload and the AI-generated outputs are indeed sent to Google’s servers – this is necessary for the generative AI to work its magic. Google says it collects those uploads and the results to improve its models, and sometimes human reviewers will look at a sample of anonymized data to provide feedback or annotations for training.
According to Google, any images and try-on results from Doppl that are reviewed by humans are disconnected from your personal identity – they strip out or separate account info from the data before anyone sees it.
Who Can Use Doppl Today?
If you’re eager to try Doppl, there are a few restrictions to know. As of now, the app is only open to users in the United States, and you must be 18 or older to sign in and use it. To access Doppl, you’ll need to log in with a Google account and use a supported device. On Android, that currently means you’ll need a Google Pixel phone (the app is Pixel-only on Android for now), while iPhone users need a relatively recent iOS device.
These device restrictions might be due to technical performance requirements, rendering AI outfits can be compute-intensive, or simply a phased rollout strategy.
A Glimpse at the Future of Fashion Tech
Doppl might be experimental, but it represents a significant shift in how technology and fashion are intersecting. Unlike Google’s previous online try-on feature (or retailer-specific AR fitting room apps) that are limited to certain brands or products, Doppl allows you to try on virtually any outfit from any image you find. This freedom – being untethered from a specific clothing catalog – is a game-changer.
It means your inspiration isn’t confined to what’s in a particular store; you can see that thrift-store find or runway look on yourself, all through AI.