While some shoppers prefer to keep their consumerism private, others have a hard time pulling the purchasing trigger without a second opinion. But for those whose best friend or significant other isn’t available for consultation, these new fashion-based social shopping apps and services are making it easier to make thoughtful buying decisions.
Pose: Pose, a free
iPhone app, encourages users to catwalk their style for feedback by posting and geo-tagging photos of fashion finds on Facebook, Twitter, and within the app itself. Expert opinions are readily available, as a number of celebrated fashion bloggers are active members of the Pose community (e.g.,
The Man Repeller’s Leandra Medine,
Because I’m Addicted’s Geri Hirsch, and famous YouTube vlog haulers
Blair and Elle Fowler). Additionally, brands can leverage Pose for promotions and in-store deals—
Levi’s,
Aerie and
Jewelmint.com all use it—which may prove useful for brick-and-mortar retailers looking to recapture the
excitement of in-store shopping.
Where To Get It: This website strives to do for fashion what the
Shazam app has done for music. Of course, a style algorithm has yet to emerge, so Where To Get It instead employs crowdsourcing to help site members determine the origin of garments and accessories. Users take a picture of the object in question—be it
on the street, in a magazine, or in the home of a tight-lipped friend—then can post it to a
community of shoppers savvy enough to identify both the brand and place of purchase. In the event that the object is unidentifiable or no longer available, a similar (sometimes better) item may also be suggested.
VIZL: Built with fashion professionals in mind, this real-time,
iOS-based app—an Android version is forthcoming—enables retailers, stylists and shoppers to save
time, hassle, and even money. Not only can brands provide media-lush catalogs of their newest lines, but stylists can capture photos of fashion goods and get quick electronic approval from clients. For shoppers,
entire wardrobes can be uploaded to the app for later use when searching for matching pieces in stores and quelling those doubts when deciding what
will and won’t work. Ensembles can be shared on Facebook or sent directly to others, who can then text it to their friends, and ensuring that everyone agrees on each fabulous look.
