The future of clothes shopping?

by PAUL KENDALL, Daily Mail

Shopping for clothes has always been something of a hit-and-miss affair.

While a size 14 from one fashion brand may fit like a glove, when it comes to another label, a 16 or maybe even a 12 can be more suitable.

Until now, the only way to ensure a perfect fit has been to stagger to the changing rooms weighed down by the same outfit in several different sizes.

Mail-order devotees can always request the same item in two sizes or more and send the unsuitable ones back.

But the days of having to try everything before you buy could soon be over.

Scientists have developed a 3D body scanner which can measure a man or woman's vital statistics to create a virtual image of them.

This on-screen image then does the hard work of trying on every item in the store.

Once a perfect fit is found, the shopper can pick up the item and take it home, confident it will look wonderful.

And all without hours of getting hot and bothered in a cramped changing room.

The technology could be in stores within 18 months. Shoppers will strip to their underwear and step into the scanner, which is shaped like a photo booth.

Low-power, infra-red lights will read more than 300,000 points all over the body. The whole process will take no more than 12 seconds.

More than 100 vital statistics can be gathered - from bust, waist and hip measurements to the size of the left ankle, thigh girth and inside leg.

Then, in a 'virtual changing room' on a computer screen, customers will be able to try outfits at the click of a button.

They will even be able to store their image on the Internet and try on clothes at online stores from home, using either a computer or a digital television.

Catalogue companies such as Argos and Freemans are planning to build a database of their customers' 'virtual' bodies.

So when a shopper contacts them, staff at a call centre can compare their dimensions with the size of the garment they have chosen.

Customers will get the clothes they want first time, saving mail-order companies a fortune on returns.

Scientists at University College London's 3D Centre, using a scanner from Japan, have already created the technology to put the body image on the screen.

Now, in partnership with store chains such as John Lewis, Oasis and Littlewoods, they are preparing it for the High Street.

Professor Philip Treleaven, head of the 3D Centre, said yesterday: 'This is going to revolutionise shopping.

'At the moment people go into a changing room with three or four outfits because they don't know how it will fit or what it will look like.

'Now you can use a computer or a TV, pick out what you like and then buy it with a high confidence that it will fit first time.'

Great Universal Stores, which owns Argos, has already developed an in-store kiosk to work with the body scanner.

Customers would store their computer image on a smart card then place the card in the kiosk. Using the card, they could then try on GUS products.

Although the firm has so far only developed a prototype, it hopes it will soon be placed in shops such as Argos.

Another firm, London-based Bodymetrics, is planning to launch a 'virtual' changing room on the Internet.

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