Dress Up Goes Digital With Magic Mirrors

by Megan Baldwin | 10:10 am, June 16th, 2010

Technology never ceases to amaze/horrify us in it’s attempts to make easier that which isn’t actually all that difficult to begin with. Consider the latest in awkward inventions, the virtually unreal, “Magic Mirror.” Like those strange “swap a hair style” programs come to a public dressing room, according to the Daily Mail, the gimmicky gadget lets you try on a myriad of outfits without having to undress. Innovative, right? Because taking off and putting on clothing is so 2000.

Anyways, we know you’re dying to know how this thing works. Developers of the C-InStore contraption say an oversized computer is fitted with a ton of cameras and screen sends images to a PC, which is instantly able to identify the size and gender of the customer. It then matches that body image with a clothing item which the customer has chosen after scrolling through choices below the main screen.

You know, kind of like Cher Horowitz did everyday before first period back in the early 90s. “It is fun,” C-InStore managing director Duncan Clapman conceded. “But it is certainly more than a novelty gimmick.” In fact they say they it has a wide ranging benefits–especially in terms of reducing waiting time for consumers who may be on their lunch break and need to get back to work. Sure, they won’t have to wait for a real dressing room anymore. But having seen many a clueless woman try (and fail) to work the self-checkout line at the grocery store, we’ve got our doubts about this one being a time saver. Though it totally looks like fun. Paper doll versions of ourselves? We want to play.