Since it launched in November of 2023, Dress to Impress has become one of the most popular games on Roblox with over four billion visits. The game’s premise is simple: players create in-game outfits for their virtual avatars, then take turns showing off their looks on the catwalk. Other players rate their looks from one to five stars. Themes can be anything from mall goth to mythical creatures, and players have five minutes and 25 seconds to put together a runway-ready outfit. Seems like a piece of cake, right?
At first glance, Dress to Impress seems like a fun, simple fashion game for people of all ages and backgrounds to enjoy. “It’s such a simple concept that is fleshed out beautifully, allowing for creativity and customization,” says Jake Riedl-Dworkin, Form III, an avid Dress to Impress player. Despite its popularity, Dress to Impress is plagued with flaws; issues with body diversity and gender representation have existed in the game since it was first published.
When players enter the game, their blocky, awkward Roblox avatars are transformed into slender models. The limited body customization in the game is disappointing. There are options for race, a male avatar and vitiligo, but the game lacks diversity beyond this. Some possible additions to improve representation could include prosthetic limbs, wheelchairs, skin types and varying body types. For now, players have to settle with what’s available. While the official Dress to Impress X account claims they are developing plus-size “female” bodies and will begin working on plus-size “male” bodies, fans may be waiting indefinitely to see themselves represented in the game.
The male body in Dress to Impress presents its own set of limitations. Male avatars cannot wear the dresses, skirts, arm warmers, tights, heels, boots, leggings, sweatshirts, tank tops, gloves or purses that are exclusively available to female avatars. Instead, they are limited to a few items, like jeans, jackets and shirts. For a game intended for younger audiences and meant as a safe space for self-expression and style experimentation, this is disappointing. Dress to Impress sends the wrong message to kids who are just beginning to develop their own identity and sense of fashion.
Despite its flaws, Dress to Impress remains an outlet for fans worldwide to socialize with friends and engage in fun competition. “The sheer popularity of this game makes it the perfect experience to play with friends,” Jake Riedl-Dworkin says. “It feels like everybody has played Dress to Impress, or at least knows of its existence.” The reach of Dress to Impress makes its future updates more crucial than ever, and there is a demand for the developers to turn the game into a safe space for everyone. Dress to Impress should come to represent what fashion truly is: diversity, creativity and individuality. How long will we have to wait?
