A new fashion consultant
Forget your friends — just ask Alexa.
I don’t want to brag, but I received the “best dressed” superlative in high school (though that was about 13 years ago). So when I was asked to try out Amazon’s styling assistant, available by invitation only with no for-sale date from Amazon, I was open but skeptical.
Echo Look aims to help you “Love your look. Every day” with a hands-free camera equipped with Alexa, Amazon’s cloud-based voice service. The camera works with the Echo Look app, which chronicles your outfits with photos and 360-degree videos and allows you to “favorite” ensembles. Looks can be shared on social media and through text and organized into collections based on color, season, item, occasion, etc. You can compare two looks or variations of a look with the style check feature that uses machine-learning algorithms in combination with input from fashion experts.
Prep work
The digital reviewer’s guide says to place the 6-inch appliance about 5 feet away at shoulder height. I stacked coffee table accessories on a dresser to reach the correct angle. I downloaded the app and connected it to the device — much easier than the stacking.
Jan. 8
Get ready for a deep dive — deep so we can meet my lowered self-esteem. On Day 1, my confidence bottomed, an experience that may not be shared by fashion bloggers who have mastered the art of posing.
Eager to test out the features, I twirled around in an A-line dress, which resulted in a video that cut off my feet because I didn’t know where to position myself. I cringed at my make-up and wondered why no one told me how badly I needed to finish the box of Crest Whitestrips in my bathroom.
I tested out the style check feature by pitting a black, pleated, tealength vegan leather skirt against a basic A-line mini, anticipating the powers that be would prefer the former and validate my eclectic sense of style. Wrong! Overwhelmingly, the feature suggested the outfit with the shorter skirt.
Jan. 9
Racing out the door before work, I tried the style check again and again expecting I would know the results — that my Michael Kors coat would win out over a distressed denim jacket from Marshall’s. Guess who’s 0 for 2? The denim jacket, which hit at my waist, rose victorious over the camel threequarter-length coat. Style check said the “colors work better together” and the “outfit shape works better.” Noted.
Jan. 14
By now, I was getting more comfortable with posing. The style check was the most valuable feature for me. Though 360 videos are useful, let’s be honest: A head-to-toe photo is the same as looking in a mirror.
I was trying to decide between black boots and white sneaks. In a close battle, the boots won out because the “shoe choice looks better.” I disagreed and went with the sneakers.
Jan. 15
was meeting friends for brunch and was under the impression that a minishirt dress, paired with the aforementioned denim jacket and a scarf, would be warm enough. Before I left, I asked Alexa about the weather report, and after hearing the specifics on sub-freezing temps, I put on a heavier coat.
Jan. 26
This was the day I fell in love with the tiny piece of tech. I was assigned to cover the Grammys and Clive Davis’ preGrammy gala, and while planning, I realized Echo Look is essentially an Instagram husband for single ladies, obliging me with snaps and videos at my every whim.
I desperately needed this feature and the style check while selecting outfits for both nights.
I ended up looking fabulous at both events, if I do say so myself, which was confirmed by Jon Batiste and Little Big Town’s Kimberly Schlapman, who complimented my look on the Grammys red carpet.
In conclusion
The thought of sending the Echo Look back makes me feel like I’m losing my most stylish friend ... that I know isn’t just passive-aggressively sabotaging me because she’s jealous. Though I don’t see the personal need to use Echo Look every day, for nights out and special occasions, I’ll miss giving Alexa a shout.