3D Scanning in Fashion
The fashion industry is evolving. As conversations around sustainability and the staggering environmental impact of fast fashion grow, many brands are exploring how technology can support more responsible and efficient practices. One of the most promising tools in this space is 3D scanning, especially when applied to areas like sizing, fit prediction, and custom garment production.
Understanding Fashion's Environmental Impact
Fashion plays a major role in the global economy, but it also comes with a significant environmental footprint. The industry is estimated to contribute to around 10% of global carbon emissions and is a major consumer of water and raw materials. Additionally, large-scale production and fast-changing seasonal trends can lead to overstock and excess inventory, much of which may go unused and end up discarded. To add to this, fashion is also responsible for 20% of global wastewater through dyeing and fabric treatment.
Many brands are actively working on solutions, from alternative fabrics and recycling initiatives to changes in production models. Technology such as high-accuracy 3D body scanning can further support these goals by making fashion more personalized, efficient and less reliant on overproduction.
The Role of Returns in the Industry
In e-commerce, returns are a normal and expected part of the customer experience, and particularly in fashion, return rates are often high. While this helps shoppers find the right fit and style, it also increases logistical and repackaging costs. These returns are often incinerated or sent to landfill rather than resold due to restocking costs or damage, adding to the environmental impact. While recycling initiatives can lessen the environmental blow, less than 1% of used clothes are actually recycled into new items.
A major factor behind returns is uncertainty around sizing and how a garment will actually fit once worn. Two-dimensional images of clothes on a model cannot give the same experience and information as trying the clothes on yourself. Giving customers better tools to visualize and understand fit before purchase can improve satisfaction while helping brands operate more efficiently.
How 3D Scanning Can Help
Photogrammetric 3D scanning provides detailed, accurate data about the human body. This opens the door for applications that enhance both customer experience and business sustainability. Precise measurement data and lifelike 3D avatars can be captured in a second when using a professional full-body scanner, such as our NEO. This information can support several fashion-related use cases:
Accurate Virtual Try-Ons
With a personal 3D avatar, customers can preview exactly how clothing in different sizes will fit and drape on their own body, before placing an order. This offers a more realistic and personalized shopping experience, helping customers make more confident choices before they buy.
Additionally, even without personalized, measurement-accurate avatars, viewing clothes in 3D on a mannequin can already give the customer a better idea of what the item looks like in real life than an image.
Made-to-Measure Clothing
3D body data is ideal for made-to-measure and custom-fit garments. Accurate measurements support precise tailoring, leading to better fits and longer-lasting wear. This approach reduces waste associated with mass-production and gives customers individual products designed for their specific needs.
Support for Inclusive and Diverse Sizing
As our scanning systems are designed to scan any body type, skin color and outfit, it enables designers to develop more inclusive sizing models. This improves the ability to serve a wider range of customers without relying on generalized measurements or assumptions.
Why Photogrammetry is the Perfect Fit
Many businesses currently offering body scans for fashion rely on mobile phones or mobile laser scanning. These tools are accessible, but often require the subject to stand still for a long time while being scanned, and lack the level of precision required for custom sizing or fit prediction. Using a sophisticated photogrammetric scanning system allows you to generate high-resolution, sub-millimeter-accurate models, captured in a second. This ensures consistent results, regardless of posture, clothing, or lighting and makes it possible to confidently integrate scanning into both e-commerce workflows and physical retail experiences.
Working Towards a More Efficient Future
3D scanning offers a practical, scalable way to support a more efficient fashion industry. By improving fit accuracy, enabling on-demand production and reducing reliance on standardized sizing, it can help address some of the key sustainability challenges brands face today.
As technology continues to develop, solutions like botspots are becoming more accessible to designers, retailers and consumers alike. Whether it’s for improving customer satisfaction, streamlining operations or moving toward a more sustainable approach to clothing, high-accuracy 3D scanning is a valuable tool in fashion’s ongoing evolution.
