Advanced fit technology has arrived at Mr Porter. Yoox Net-A-Porter’s (YNAP) luxury menswear in-season fashion platform has launched its inaugural virtual try-on pilot, rolling out for 90 styles across its Mr P Permanent collection, accounting for 70% of the range.

And importantly, the addition will aim “to reduce the need for customers to return items”, Mr Porter noted, highlighting a problem that’s a major one as much for the luxury sector as it is for online sellers lower down the price scale.

The initiative, which will run over six months, launches internationally in six languages (English, Italian, German, Japanese, Korean and Arabic).

Through its new size simulator tool, customers can create a 3D avatar that mirrors their own measurements, either through step-by-step guidance or by providing their clothing sizes from favourite fashion brands.

“In seconds, they can see how a garment will look on their body, to visualise their ideal fit and determine whether the product is the right match for them”.

The retailer said that its customer insights reveal that size and fit are the primary reasons for returns, the volume of which will be tracked during this six-month trial. 

In addition, 90% of Yoox customers say they favour retailers that help them to reduce returns, and 83% are trying to shop “more intentionally” to avoid sending items back.

Alison Loehnis, interim CEO for YNAP said: “We have been closely following developments in virtual try-on technology for a while, in search of slick and user-friendly functionality. [We believe] our tool… is a fantastic and intuitive shopping aid.”