It was an opportunity no Tribune staffer could refuse: an offer to test a new electronic body measurement device that purports to spit out a perfect-fit report in about 10 seconds.
The Intellifit machine, “a room-style body scanner that uses low-power radio waves to capture exact body measurements,” was on display for two days only at the Original Levi’s Store on Michigan Avenue recently. Depending on consumer feedback, Levi’s will determine whether Intellifit will be rolled out in stores nationwide, according to a company spokeswoman.
Nancy Watkins of the Q staff agreed to test Intellifit for WomanNews. Here’s how she sized it up:
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When I got my Intellifit printout listing the “styles of Levi’s jeans that will fit you best” at the Original Levi’s Store on Michigan Avenue, I almost handed it back. There must have been some mistake. Size 4?!
Seeing my shocked reaction, a sales staffer said that, sure, if I wanted a somewhat looser fit on my 45-year-old rear (which has never seen the inside of a size 4), I might want to go up a size. So we rounded up some 6s, which fit just fine–as long as breathing was optional. Sorry, but I wouldn’t lie down on the floor to zip up my jeans when I was 18, and I’m not about to start now.
Mind you, I love the fit of Levi’s jeans and did end up buying a pair–a pretty snug size 8, if you must know. But it was no thanks to Intellifit. Maybe it helps the hard-to-fit, and I could see its potential in department stores, if it can be programmed (accurately!) to tell you your size in different labels.
But give me a well-trained salesperson over this device any day. No human being with any soul would raise my hopes like that, only to dash them on the dressing-room floor.
–N.W.
