Do buyers need a special app to view AR try-ons?

No. WebAR lets them launch the experience straight from Safari or Chrome. An optional ARCore or ARKit prompt appears for advanced features, yet the viewer falls back to a 3D model if the phone is older.

Will AR slow down my portfolio loading time?

Not if you host the 3D assets on a CDN and lazy-load the iframe. Your photo gallery can load first; the AR viewer activates only when it enters the viewport.

How many garments should I convert to AR?

Start with three hero pieces that define your brand. Measure engagement. If session time and add-to-cart rise, roll AR out across the full collection.

Using AR try-ons in portfolios: let clients visualise garments without samples

Augmented reality (AR) try-ons turn a static lookbook into an immersive fitting room. In this guide you will learn why AR boosts conversion, which tools you need, and how to add a flawless try-on feature to your fashion portfolio—without sewing an extra sample.

Why AR try-ons are reshaping digital fashion sales

Scrolling through photos rarely convinces a buyer to place a bulk order. AR removes that doubt. Clients can spin, zoom, and even walk around your garment as if it were in their hands. Shopify reports that 3D and AR content lifts online conversion rates by up to 94 %. Early adopters also notice fewer returns because fit expectations are clearer.

For independent labels, AR levels the playing field. You give buyers the premium experience once reserved for global brands, yet you skip costly sample shipping. Add in the viral factor—buyers share a fun try-on on social media—and you gain free reach.

How AR try-ons work inside a portfolio

Essential building blocks

3D garment file – build in CLO3D, Browzwear, or Blender.
Optimised texture maps – 2K or 4K PBR files keep detail without slowing phones.
WebAR or app-based viewer – platforms like Sketchfab, Vectary, or ZapWorks serve the model in real time.
Embed code – a lightweight iframe drops the AR viewer straight into your portfolio page.
Fallback image – a static PNG appears for devices that block WebGL.

Workflow: from CAD to clickable try-on

Create or import your garment in a 3D fashion tool. Export as glTF.
Compress polygons to under 100 k without sacrificing silhouette.
Bake PBR textures and name layers clearly for future edits.
Upload to your WebAR host and enable “dimension anchors” so the item scales correctly on-screen.
Copy the generated iframe and paste it into your portfolio CMS.
Test on iOS Safari and Android Chrome before you publish.

Benefits for clients and designers

Metric	Traditional photos	AR try-on
Time to first decision	3–5 days	Under 24 h
Sample shipping cost	€40–€120 per piece	€0
Return rate after pre-order	Up to 30 %	Below 10 %
Portfolio engagement	Average session 90 s	Average session 3 min 40 s

Implementation guide in 5 practical steps

Pick the right viewer. Compare Sketchfab's free plan with Vectary's custom branding. Make sure the licence allows commercial use.
Standardise model specs. Use 1×1 m real-world scale, 60 fps animations, and embedded metadata for materials.
Host on a CDN. Big files slow launch pages. A content delivery network trims loading time to under two seconds.
Add clear CTAs. Place a “Try it in AR” button above the fold so buyers do not scroll past it.
Measure and iterate. Track events in Google Analytics: view time, rotation count, and add-to-cart rate. Tweak lighting and camera angles based on results.

Common pitfalls and how to avoid them

Oversized meshes. Keep file size below 10 MB. Heavy meshes crash mobile browsers.
Missing size references. Add a floating ruler or mannequin silhouette so buyers understand scale.
Inconsistent lighting. Export HDRI settings that match your lookbook photos; otherwise colours shift.
No offline fallback. Provide a GIF turntable for spotty connections.

Case study: indie label closes €18 k in pre-orders with AR

buyer uses smartphone to view bomber jacket in AR

Berlin streetwear brand NeonThread launched a bomber jacket in May 2024. The team embedded a WebAR try-on on its product page and inside its Artfolio showcase. Buyers spent 4× more time interacting with the jacket than with previous photo-only releases. Within one week, 120 pre-orders—worth €18 000—were confirmed, all without mailing a single physical sample.

The marketing push relied on interactive lookbooks packed with looping videos and a short TikTok demo that linked directly to the AR experience. Return requests dropped to 7 % after delivery, well below the industry average.

Global market value of AR in retail (US $billion)

Source : Statista

Quick quiz: Are you AR-ready?

FAQ

Do buyers need a special app to view AR try-ons?: No. WebAR lets them launch the experience straight from Safari or Chrome. An optional ARCore or ARKit prompt appears for advanced features, yet the viewer falls back to a 3D model if the phone is older.
Will AR slow down my portfolio loading time?: Not if you host the 3D assets on a CDN and lazy-load the iframe. Your photo gallery can load first; the AR viewer activates only when it enters the viewport.
How many garments should I convert to AR?: Start with three hero pieces that define your brand. Measure engagement. If session time and add-to-cart rise, roll AR out across the full collection.

Next steps

Pair your new AR viewer with search-optimised portfolio pages (article available soon) and high-resolution fabric shots to maximise impact. Need more visibility? List your work in latest garment designer portfolios and attract buyers browsing by trend. To reach eco-minded clients, explore sustainable designer directories and spotlight your AR workflow.

Ready to boost pre-orders with zero extra samples? Embed your first AR try-on today and watch engagement soar.