If you’re serious about getting your outfit right, the preview window has several major flaws:

It’s teeny.  But you already knew that, right?

For example: these 3 headgears look pretty much identical in the preview window, but they are clearly different (some more different than others) when tried on.

No Color Matching.  You have no idea how two things will colormatch without trying them on.  Things that you think wouldn’t go together end up being beautiful.  Sometimes the cutest shirt will turn the rest of your outfit puke-hideous with color matching.  Things colormatch in unexpected ways – including some pieces that refuse to change color at all.

As you can see here, these hideous pinkish pants color match beautifully with this shirt.  In fact, they’re my favorite pants for color matching purposes.

However, check this out:

I don’t know about you, but I’ll pass on looking like a chiquita banana.  With this shirt, you’re gonna have to pick your pants and shoes the old fashioned way and not rely on color match because… do YOU want to be all yellow?

Clipping Varies.  Some things that do not clip in the preview window do in fact clip when you try it on – and vice versa.  The clipping may or may not be acceptable to you, depending on where it is and how severe it is.

Let’s take this lovely Voss social gear.  It looks great from the back in the preview window, but when you put it on, half a buttcheek clips through.  And this is on body type 1 that has no ass!

On the other hand, look at the preview of the front!  It clips with the matching skirt.  But wait, when you try it on, the front looks fine.

Combat Stance and Movement.  Something that looks awesome standing still may look awesome at all when you’re in combat stance.  And remember, you’ll be in combat stance a lot.  Put the outfit on and go kick the practice dummy a few times and see if you notice any unseemly clipping or stretching.  Need I remind you of the stretchy triangle of evil…

Remember, folks, moving mods is expensive.  Adding augment slots will be expensive.  With the exception of legacy gear, buying gear is relatively cheap.  It’s worth it to purchase multiple items and mix and match them if needed, and model them – even if you end up relegating most of the outtakes to your bank.  Make SURE you’re in love with your outfit before you start spending serious cash on it.