ChatGPT Adds Global Virtual Try-On and Favorites With Images 2.5
OpenAI launches ChatGPT virtual try-on and Favorites globally, using Images 2.5 to preview outfits, save products and challenge Google and Pinterest online.
Summary
On Thursday, October 1, 2026, OpenAI globally launched two ChatGPT shopping features: virtual try-on and Favorites. A Try On button in shopping results lets users upload a selfie or full-body photo to preview clothing and accessories, or provide an item image such as a web screenshot. The features use the new ChatGPT Images 2.5 model, which OpenAI says offers more natural lighting, richer textures, stronger editing-instruction compliance and lower image-generation latency. Favorites saves products in ChatGPT’s Library beside generated try-on images.
Users can also describe a desired style and ask ChatGPT to find the pieces needed to create it, or upload celebrity outfit photos to locate purchasable matches. The expansion puts ChatGPT against Pinterest and Google in fashion inspiration and commerce, with Google launching virtual try-on in 2025. Adoption remains uncertain: OpenAI previously pivoted from an underperforming instant-checkout feature, while some users considered agentic AI startup Instinct’s proactive product recommendations intrusive and more like advertising than assistance.
Positives
- ChatGPT’s virtual try-on and Favorites launched globally on October 1, 2026.
- ChatGPT Images 2.5 promises more natural lighting, richer textures, better editing compliance and lower generation latency.
- Selfies, full-body photos and product screenshots can all be used to generate clothing or accessory previews.
- Favorites stores products beside try-on images in ChatGPT’s Library for later reference.
- Celebrity photos and style descriptions can become searches for complete, purchasable outfits.
Risks & concerns
- OpenAI’s earlier instant-checkout feature underperformed, forcing the company to change direction.
- Some users viewed Instinct’s proactive product recommendations as intrusive advertising rather than useful assistance.
- Google launched virtual try-on in 2025, giving ChatGPT an established competitor.
- Pinterest and Google already hold strong positions in fashion inspiration and product discovery.
- Whether shoppers will make ChatGPT their first choice for virtual try-on remains unresolved.
