Essembl: The Closet of the Future?

A couple of weekends ago I was at a café, sipping a latte, when I found myself playing my usual game: People-Watching for Outfit Inspo. You know, when you casually look around and think, “Hm, I wonder if that oversized hoodie would go with those sneakers I just bought? I totally need to try it out!” But then, as always, I came to the lingering question: Do I even own something like that? The answer: probably, but who can remember every single piece in their closet?

As a visual person, it’s almost a need to see my clothes laid out on my bed to plan the perfect outfit. One option would be filling my photo gallery with endless pictures of jeans, shirts, hoodies, and skirts. Could you imagine the phone storage that would take up, though! However, thanks to TikTok, I stumbled across an app called Essembl, which is basically a virtual wardrobe assistant. Think of it as Cher Horowitz’s closet from Clueless but a modern, AI-powered version completely on your phone (naturally, I had to try it out). maybe combine into one sentence? So, of course, I had to record every outfit it generated for me over a week.

Okay, so let me break it down for you: Essembl has four main features that are basically every fashion lover’s dream.

1. Generate Outfits – The app’s AI works its magic to create outfits using your existing wardrobe and even adding suggestions!

2. Create Outfits—For the control freaks (hi, it’s me), you can build your own ensembles.

3. Mix and Match—This one’s genius; it helps you decide if a new piece, like those trendy boots you’ve been eyeing, will actually work with your closet. (This one has come in handy more times than I can count!)

4. Outfit Check – Feeling unsure about that risky outfit? Take a pic, and Essembl tells you if it’s a definite yes, meh, or an absolute fail.

October 27: First Impressions

Downloading Essembl was easy; uploading my entire wardrobe? Not so much, especially as someone who is a bit of a perfectionist. Taking pictures of all my shirts, pants, and shoes took a bit longer than probably needed. But after about 15 minutes, I had my wardrobe digitized and ready to style my whole week! Plus, there aren’t even any ads on the app!

October 28: Casual Monday

I usually go for casual and comfy vibes on Mondays, especially when I have class. One of my favorite Essembl features is its ability to style your outfit based on the type of occasion and weather. Since today I was going for“casual chic” and knew there was probably going to be an afternoon drizzle, the app delivered: skater cargos, a simple baby tee, and casual sneakers. It was simple, cozy, and gave, “I tried, but not too hard.”

October 29: Tutoring Tuesday

Tuesdays call for something a little more polished—especially because I tutor in the evening and need to look like I somewhat have my life together! Essembl suggested a pair of black jeans paired with a simple graphic tee and boots with my black overcoat. It was the perfect mix of professional and playful.

October 30: Midweek Style Crisis

Wednesdays are usually my most dreaded day of the week, but knowing I have a good outfit usually makes me feel better. I tried generating outfits three times before settling on something I liked—a racing flag patterned skirt, with a grey midi top, and my favorite boots. During the process of finding today's outfit, I did find the perfect outfit for tomorrow! Can you choose a specific piece of clothing and have the app base an outfit off that?

October 31: Rainy Day Vibes

Thursday came, and with it, heavy rain. The app’s weather filter saved me: a pair of dark blue skinny jeans, a graphic tee, sneakers, and my warm black overcoat. Chic, practical, and weather sensible!

November 1: Friday Comfort

Personally, Fridays are for winding down, and my outfit reflected that. Essembl styled me in a graphic tee and relaxed cargos, which I paired with sneakers. It was effortless—and exactly the comfort vibe I was looking for before the weekend.

November 2: Saturday Night Style

Since I usually go out on Saturdays, I love coming up with cute outfits that are worthy of showing off, whether it’s at the mall, a movie, or dinner out. Essembl let me mix and match some ideas I had, and we landed on a mini skirt, an oversized sweater, and my cowboy boots. This is an outfit I’m definitely looking forward to wearing again in the future!

November 3: Sunday Chill

Most of the time Sundays are stay-in days. Every now and then, depending on the weekend, I’m brunching at a café or just going out to the supermarket. Today, Essembl knew my vibe: cargos, sneakers, and an oversized sweatshirt. Comfortable yet stylish—a win in comfort and style.

At the end of the week, I couldn’t help but wonder: Do our closets and visions hold more potential than we give them credit for? With Essembl, I felt like I had unlocked a new level of personal style & fashion, all by working with what I already had. This really helped me from buying clothes that I felt unsure about and might never wear after buying. So, while I may still people-watch for outfit inspo, I’ve learned that sometimes the best looks are already waiting in our own wardrobes!