Overview of the ShopStyle iPad App [VIDEO]

November 30, 2010 1

Browsing Designer Fashion on the iPad

When Google announced their new visual search website for designer fashion, Boutiques.com, I took a look at the complementary iPad app they also released. As the Boutiques.com website is positioned as a direct competitor to the site ShopStyle, I thought it only fair to take a look at their iPad app as well.

ShopStyle iPad App Main Screen

Launched in 2006, ShopStyle aggregates fashion from a variety of online retailers, both department stores and boutiques. The company was acquired by Sugar Inc and became part of the Sugar suite of media sites. ShopStyle continues to attract users who can browse through clothing from a variety of stores, create their own style lookbooks, and follow the inspiration of others. ShopStyle widgets promote products on bloggers’ websites and on the Glam network. The experience is curated discovery mixed with directed browsing.

Browsing through the Clothing Category

The iPad app, which came out this summer, puts the browsing experience into users’ hands. It’s a sleek interface that quickly takes you into different categories for clothing, footwear, accessories, and more.

Products are quick to scroll through ShopStyle iPad App

Browsing Products on the ShopStyle iPad App

The Product Details Screen

Here are my thoughts on the app:

iPad App Pros

It’s very easy to quickly narrow in on the type of product you’re looking for. Categories are straightforward, and there are a variety of refinement options for things like brand, store, price, color, etc.
It has a clean modern interface that looks nice on the iPad.

iPad App Cons

It’s not social. The ShopStyle website has components for creating and exploring lookbooks, following users, and checking out curated trends. All of that is missing from the app.
The app interface may be easy to navigate, but once you leave the product details screen for the product page on the retailer’s site, you’re stuck with an experience that isn’t mobile-optimized.

You may also want to check out the previous post on the Boutiques.com iPad app.