Virtual fitting rooms could change the way you shop online

HOUSTON (KTRK) -- Two Rice University students think they've found a way to revolutionize the way you shop. Their idea sounds simple yet wild -- online fitting rooms. Eyewitness News recently received a sneak peek into the virtual world.

Inside Rice's engineering building, Lam Yuk Wong and Cecila Zhang sat down with us and both admit they love to go online for deals.

"Every week, every time when I get stressed I would shop online to try to relieve stress a lit bit," said Wong.

They told us shopping online is convenient and can be addictive. The problem the duo see is while buying may be easy, finding the right fit is hard. The two set out to find a solution.

"Our virtual fitting room is a system that constructs a personalized 3D body model of you," said Zhang.

Their idea is to have online shoppers build 3D models of themselves by using devices like Microsoft's "Kinect."

"I think nowadays the big challenge that prevents this huge market to develop is because people can't visualize how the garment will look on them," said Zhang.

Inside Vickie Lynn's Boutique in southwest Houston, store manager Brooke Wilson said people love a real dressing room.

"For certain companies, a size 2 is a size 6," said Wilson.

The Rice students hope people, hesitant to the virtual world, will think twice about the idea.

"As long as you try our virtual fitting room one time, you will probably change your mind," said Zhang.

The virtual fitting room is in its infancy right now. Wong and Zhang are looking to team up with companies and allow customers the chance to actually try it on online.