The gear • September 2014
Seven essential apps for fashion-conscious travellers
Whether it’s tracking down sample sales in New York, seeing where the fashionistas hang out in Dubrovnik or finding which colour is trending in Paris, these apps will ensure you’re tapped into the fashion scene wherever you are
Farfetch Discover
This new app (launching 17 September) uses the expert knowledge of local boutique owners across the globe to unearth under-the-radar shopping experiences, from finding a hidden market in Dubrovnik to uncovering a gourmet secret in Dallas. Users can also find city guides curated by fashion insiders such as The Man Repeller blogger Leandra Medine, and Purple magazine’s Paula Goldstein.
Free, iOS
Pimkie Color Forecast
Don’t get caught out wearing pink in Paris when the couleur du jour is clearly purple. Pimkie Color Forecast uses high-tech cameras installed in Paris, Milan and Antwerp, which scan the streets to see which colours are trending. It updates every few seconds and shows hourly trends, the week’s popular colours and last month’s trending colours in a cool infographic.
Free, iOS
PS Dept
PS Dept is like having a personal shopper at your fingertips in select US cities. Simply text your query (“I need a 1920s-inspired dress for a party”, for example) to an in-store expert, from boutiques such as Stella McCartney and 3.1 Phillip Lim, and they will respond with snapshots of recommended items they have available. After the text consultation, users can buy the handpicked goods over the app with free same-day delivery.
Free, iOS
ASAP54
Seen a passer-by on the street wearing something you love, but don’t want to ask them where they got it? Just snap a picture and send it to ASAP54, which will work out where the item is from. And if you’re disappointed with the suggestion, you’ll be put in touch with a personal styling team who will find a new result within 24 hours.
Free, iOS
Lustr Fashion Finder
Using GPS, this impressive sales and promo finder shows you a list of upcoming fashion events and promotions in the New York City area – from Tory Burch to Diane Von Furstenberg – all searchable by distance, neighbourhood and even time remaining before the sale ends.
Free, iPhone only (US)
Stylebook
Anyone who grew up with Clueless will love this app: upload photos of your individual items of clothing and Stylebook will create a catalogue of your wardrobe, which you can then mix and match. As well as a ‘Packing List’ feature for holidays, it has a calendar that remembers the day you wore certain items so you can avoid any fashion faux pas in wearing the same outfit twice.
£2.49/$3.99, iOS
Snapette
Snapette has been dubbed the Foodspotting for fashion, but instead of sharing photos of favourite dishes, users snap images of their favourite fashion item. You can see what’s trending where you are, browse the latest products, and discover sales and events happening in stores near you.
Free, iOS and Android
This article has been tagged Fashion + Style, Technology