Digital Wardrobes Are On The Rise: Here's Why
Graphic by Alexander Hernandez Gonzalez
The future is finally at our fingertips: digital wardrobe cataloging apps are here to stay. The most famous include Acloset, Whering, OpenWardrobe and the new influencer favorite, Indyx. These apps scratch that universal itch to recreate Cher Horowitz’s Clueless digital wardrobe and swipe ourselves into the perfect outfit every day.
This niche market is constantly growing every year. The global styling app market was valued at $2.6 billion in 2024 and is projected to reach $8.4 billion by 2030, according to Verified Market Research.
Even though it may seem daunting at first, the digital wardrobe is not only innovative for those who don’t know what to wear but also for those who want a fresh look. Styling what you want to wear while trying to make your closet feel brand new again can be hard to achieve. But, thanks to digital wardrobes, planning your outfit for the day will be a breeze for any occasion.
The process of setting up these digital wardrobes is, however, a bit less glamorous. This involves individually laying out each piece of clothing to take a picture. You need good lighting, a big enough space and maybe a steamer, not to mention hours of free time to take out, refold and put away clothes. You can also try to source internet pictures instead to find the same or similar item, but that still takes time.
Digital wardrobes are a labor of love that makes you come to terms with your collection. Seeing that total number tick up — especially in comparison to the “average user” and knowing how much time it took to catalog all those pieces — can be sobering. A digital wardrobe app can seem like a great solution for people who love fashion but struggle to decide what to wear, but may instead quickly become overwhelming.
There are ways to get around this hurdle. You can split up cataloguing by season, or omit accessories like shoes and jewelry. However, you will still have to come around to that number and sift through all your clothes to put together an outfit as you would in real life. Many of these apps provide statistics so you can see how much of your clothing you wear. This reality can also help us realize how much we’ve been consuming as well as how much potential there is to unlock in our closets without buying anything new.
For the most part, people don’t know how to style their clothes without scouring the internet for advice. As well, people are easily judgemental toward the way someone dresses and therefore, makes the person less confident in their style. Our clothes are supposed to make us feel powerful, confident and proud, not scared, ashamed and afraid.
Digital wardrobe apps debut ways to get inspiration without scrolling endlessly and fruitlessly on Pinterest, Instagram and TikTok. Many have social features that allow users to follow others or even style them. Indyx is a favorite among influencers because many have contracts as personal stylists, offering to put together outfits for followers as a service or giveaway. These apps may not always be the most convenient way to find inspiration, but they can also be more realistic as they record what people wear in their everyday lives.
According to Earth.Org, clothing sales have doubled from 100 to 200 billion units yearly, while wear rates have declined by 36%. This sudden change negatively affects workers who produce the clothing, the amount of product that ends up in landfills and how waste will impact the environment. These apps hold users accountable by advocating for a sustainable approach, which allows users to appreciate their clothing.
From fashion enthusiasts to those wanting to become confident in their style, these apps offer a futuristic solution that is great for the environment. As consumers, we should embrace sustainable practices, especially in an industry that makes billions of dollars from unsustainable tactics. Only time will tell if these apps will continue to innovate the fashion space for a new generation that could make them mainstream.