Months after the sudden demise of the beloved Polyvore app, here’s what fans are using now.
A few months ago, Polyvore was acquired and abruptly shut down by Ssense, a Montreal-based luxury retailer. The sudden news rocked the Polyvore community, and many were left wondering why would Polyvore betray their loyal users with such an abrupt decision to remove the app from existence without warning. Founded in 2007 in California, Polyvore allowed community members to add products into a shared product index, and use them to create image collages called “Sets.” They could also browse other users’ sets for inspiration, share sets with friends and interact with people through comments and likes.
Immediately, a few alternative platforms started marketing to former Polyvore users with similar features, but many were flawed with bugs and issues. Now that a few months have passed, we have reached out to ex Polyvore users to see which alternatives they found most stable and suitable to their needs, and about a hundred people wrote in with suggestions and comments. Here’s what they had to say.
Gerda Verbom, a 44-years old longtime Polyvore user from Zandvoort, Netherlands, has tested out StyleBook but notes that the mood board creation tool on its app is missing many features offered by Polyvore. Gerda’s conclusion: “This app is limited.”
Here are 3 Solid App Alternatives to Polyvore
Source: fashmates.com
Website Creator: YES
Android App: YES
iOS App: YES
An overwhelming number of former Polyvore users wrote in to suggest Fashmates, a startup from San Francisco Bay Area in the USA. Fashmates is the only complete cross-platform Polyvore alternative that offers Android app, iPhone app, and website.
Gerda had positive things to say about Fashmates “I totally believe in Fashmates, and I am sure it will grow to the big community as Polyvore once was. I am just so thankful we’ve got a platform back where we can express ourselves and develop/explore our creativity <3.”
Another former Polyvore user, D’Shudra Nicole from the USA wrote, “I am not going to lie. I was crushed when Polyvore died. I spent 48 hours in complete silence and mourning as if I lost my best friend. I tried many alternatives but finally settled on Fashmates because it looks and feels very similar to Polyvore and beyond, such as it allows me to search images from Google directly from within the iOS app – which saves me a lot of time. Fashmates encourages an online community vs. just a creator tool. I think Fashmates is the reincarnation of my best friend, Polyvore.”
“So far as I’ve seen, the only other real replacement for Polyvore is Fashmates. Their set editor is very similar to Polyvore, and they are only ones offering the Android app,” writes Leah hall from the USA.
Jocelyn from Australia stated, “Fashmates is a life saver because it brought the community together. I used Polyvore for 9 years and made thousands of friends. My friends were more important to me than creating the outfits, and I was so glad to find them on Fashmates.”
Many former Polyvore users are convinced that Fashmates is next in line to be the next Polyvore. They seem very committed to bringing back the whole community together. Apart from the Polyvore-like editor, they have many community features such as Groups, Contests, StylePolls, and Discussions. It’s pretty exciting.
Source: smartcloset.me
Website Creator: NO
Android App: YES
iOS App: YES
“One of the first apps that I researched after Polyvore’s demise was SmartCloset. I did a great deal of my mood board creation. The app works well and suits my needs”, wrote Peyton Steller.
Britney Jons, a former Polyvore user, writes “I like the app because it allows me to design my outfits using items I already had in my closet. I just wish they add selections from more brands and retailers.”
A number of people wrote in to say that the SmartCloset is a good app, but it’s geared towards a personalized closet on the go. Shelly from the UK says, “Very much like a wardrobe planner, the app allows me to categorize the wardrobe based on item specifics, and essentially create their outfits with ease.”
The app, however, isn’t community friendly not does the app create an environment of sharing ideas. Just outfit planning only.
Source: shoplook.io
Website Creator: YES
Android App: NO
iOS App: YES
Shoplook is a startup that launched about a year ago. Shoplook’s original mission was different than Polyvore, but it was quick to reach out to the users after the sudden closure of Polyvore. The site built similar features as Polyvore but didn’t have app for a long time. An iOS app was recently launched and is getting mixed reviews. Shoplook doesn’t have an Android app yet.
“I am glad to find this app, and I don’t miss Polyvore that much now,” said Michelle Chen.
“While I am able to create outfits for my upcoming events, it doesn’t give me the same feel as Polyvore,” said Summer Smith.
Indeed, a number of people wrote in to say that there is no replacement of the beloved Polyvore app. However, they are getting used to these solid alternatives.
Other notable alternatives are URStyle.com and Trendme.net, but they don’t have mobile apps as of now.
Wikipedia: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Polyvore
Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/p/BhMh_i6g_y3
