The fit analysis is analysing! And other thoughts about building in fashion
Scrolling on fashion websites and other second screen things 📱
I re-discovered Paul Graham's article on the importance of working on a problem you have when writing my last post. I seem to have taken that seriously.
I scroll and browse on my phone a lot. Maybe too much. This whole second screen concept that Netflix has been exploring is really concerning, but it's really only a thing because of people like me 😅
If you're not familiar with it, second screening is the phenomenon describing how viewers simultaneously use their smartphones while also consuming Netflix in the background. This has led to Netflix developing shows that will spell out every single thing happening on the screen so that viewers won't miss out on the storyline.
But I digress. What I meant to say is... I do this all the time—like right now. I'm writing this as I'm "watching" Drive to Survive.
But most of the time, the combination looks more like Netflix + me consuming a lot of fashion content. I'm constantly scrolling fashion accounts on Instagram, and or browsing different shops on my phone to see what's out there and if there's something cute I can buy. I'm not very proud of it 🙃
Retail therapy is a real thing for me. I don't like to admit it, but I buy things to make me feel better. Does it work? Sometimes. But of course a lot of the times it doesn't. Surprise surprise. This has led to buying a lot of things I regret. It also doesn't help that I don't often do enough research. Or because I just think everything will fit my body the way it fits the model on the website. But I need to come back to reality because who looks like that!
I have about a million tabs open on my phone. It's anything from furniture, events I think about going to, things I think are interesting, and clothes or jewellery I have my eyes on. Will I buy them? Who knows!
Then I go into research mode: I go on Instagram to see how other people have worn the pieces I'm interested in. I go online to learn more about the quality, I read things, I go on YouTube to watch reviews. Is it worth buying? If I'm spending a bunch of money on something, I need to know it's good. And if it's clothes, what size should I get??
I subscribe to a few fashion newsletters on Substack, and I've been wondering why I didn't join sooner!?
These communities are packed with people like me. They're into fashion, constantly wondering about whether something is a good purchase or not, except that they're clever enough to do the due dilligence before taking the plunge. The difference is that in these communities you can actually ask each other if someone else has bought the thing you're interested in—and if so, what do they think? What size do they get it in? Is it worth buying?
I love that. Anything to get rid of that buyer's remorse!
I started building Pointfour app to help analyse how different brands fit, using information from sources like Reddit and Substack. I thought this could aid in that mini research process before they decide to take the plunge and buy something. A very different problem space than what I was working on before, but it really does feel quite energising working on this. Maybe it's because I'm constantly thinking about my next purchase?!
I built a browser extension on top of it, just as a little experiment to see if having the reviews front and centre as you're browsing would help with engagement. It's been somewhat useful so far. My husband was checking out a shoe brand called Norda. Having never heard of them before, I thought (and I know I'm biased here...) having the reviews there was quite handy. Apparently you're supposed to size up if you're buying Norda!
Kinda useful I think, but also not very useful in a lot of ways. My to do list is long. There are soooo many things I want to add to it to make the content more useful and actionable.
Next on the list is pulling more data from the website, and marrying it up with your size and measurements so you get an even more tailored summary.
There are so many things available these days, and buying them has never been easier. Scroll on your phone and next thing you know, you're at checkout.
I had a lot of reservations about building something in the fashion space. Mostly because it's a direct to consumer thing, and there are some big players out there that I’d be nervous about rubbing shoulders with. But it’s mostly because it feels like an unserious thing. Not only am I not saving a life, but am I just encouraging consumerism with this?!
I was talking to a stylist as part of my user research. What she said summed it up really well for me. Yes this won't save lives, but this will at least make that decision making process a little bit easier. And if you can help people feel good about themselves and make them confident in their clothes, doesn't that count for something?
P.S. You can already try the app here but if you want to try the extension, give me a shout and I will get you set up!
Also, but helping people make better purchases, you drive sustainability by ensuring fewer carbon emissions from returns, and less clothing in landfills!