COMPUTER SYSTEM FOR RULE-BASED CLOTHING MATCHING AND FILTERING CONSIDERING FIT RULES AND FASHION RULES

1 . A computer-implemented method of presenting garments to a consumer using a computer, the method comprising:

reading a database of garments, wherein the database of garments includes parameters for at least some of the garments represented by records in the database of garments, the parameters including at least a garment type;

reading data representing a plurality of garment types, the data including, for each type of the plurality of garment types, a set of tolerance ranges for that garment type;

obtaining consumer measurements from the consumer or a source derived from the consumer;

obtaining garment measurements for garments in the database of garments;

comparing customer measurements to garment measurements;

scoring garments from the database of garments based on garment measurements, customer measurements and the set of tolerance ranges for each garment based on its garment type; and

presenting the consumer with a computer-generated filtered listed of garments from the database of garments ordered, at least approximately, according to garment scores.

2 . The method of claim 1 , wherein scoring takes into account customer preferences determined based on customer inputs.

3 . The method of claim 1 , wherein garment type is determined by input from a fashion expert.

4 . The method of claim 1 , wherein the set of tolerance ranges is determined by input from a fashion expert.

5 . The method of claim 1 , wherein the set of tolerance ranges is the same for all garment types.

6 . The method of claim 1 , further comprising filtering a list of displayed garments to exclude at least some garments with scores below a predetermined threshold score.

7 . The method of claim 6 , wherein the predetermined threshold score is determined based on customer preference input.

8 . The method of claim 1 , wherein a garment record might represent an outfit comprising a plurality of clothing and/or accessory components.

9 . A computer-implemented method of presenting a filtered list of garments to an individual consumer using a computer, the method comprising:

reading a database of garments, wherein the database of garments includes parameters for at least some of the garments represented by records in the database of garments, the parameters including at least a garment type;

reading data representing a plurality of garment types, the data including, for each type of the plurality of garment types, a set of tolerance ranges for that garment type;

obtaining consumer measurements from the consumer or a source derived from the consumer;

obtaining garment measurements for garments in the database of garments;

filtering garments for the individual consumer based on a determination of what fits and a determination of what flatters, wherein what fits is determined by matching customer measurements, garment measurements and tolerances for that garment's garment type of those garments and what flatters is determined by applying pre-defined fashion rules wherein at least one fashion rule embodies fashion expertise and takes into account stored attributes assigned to the garment; and

presenting the consumer with a computer-generated filtered listed of garments from the database of garments.

10 . The method of claim 9 , further comprising:

accepting consumer input of ordering information; and

electronically initiating a purchase transaction wherein the consumer purchases ordered garments.

11 . The method of claim 9 , wherein determination of what flatters also takes into account user-provided measurements and body shapes.

12 . The method of claim 9 , wherein determination of what flatters also takes into account user-provided customer preferences.

13 . The method of claim 9 , wherein the pre-defined fashion rules represent computer-readable expressions representing relationships between one or more of user-provided measurements, body shapes, user-provided customer preferences, garment types, garment styles, available garment options and/or available garment sizes.

14 . A computer-implemented method of presenting a filtered list of garments to an individual consumer using a computer, the method comprising:

obtain measurements from the consumer;

associating the consumer with a body category based on the measurements;

reading a database of garments wherein the database includes a body categorization for at least some of the garments; and

presenting the consumer with a filtered list of garments from the database filter to exclude at least some of garments categorized in a body category that is inconsistent with the body category of the consumer.