“Dress to Impress” (“DTI”) is an award-winning fashion game that is currently dominating the platform Roblox. With over 2.8 billion plays, its concept is simple: create an outfit according to a set theme in a limited amount of time. In theory, the game is nothing new. However, “DTI” has captured the attention of a more mature player base, an achievement quite unknown to other Roblox games.
Roblox games have consistently been targeted towards younger audiences. The simplistic design and controls of the games on the platform allow users to play on phones and tablets, not requiring any advanced gaming knowledge or mechanics to enjoy their experience. They are, quite literally, point-and-click. The straightforward design of most Roblox games has subjected the platform as a whole to the assumption that the games are basic or child-like. However, “DTI” is part of a new wave of Roblox games that feature upgraded graphics and movements, disregarding the classic “block-like” look and feel that is typically associated with Roblox games.
Why exactly is “DTI” garnering such popularity from more mature audiences? According to Roblox, around half of “DTI” players are over 18 years old, while less than 42% of total Roblox users are over 18. In general, the Roblox player base skews young, but “DTI” is defying this statistic.
The complexity of customization is one of the most attractive features of the game, allowing for an almost endless combination of clothes, makeup, accessories and hairstyles. Younger players can throw on a pair of jeans and a tank top, while more fashion-forward users can experiment with colors and layering to create model-worthy outfits. “DTI” features clothing items spanning all different fashion trends, from streetwear to boho chic. Jadah Ramdyal, GSB ’26, an avid “DTI” player, emphasized how “the detailed character models and creative designs make the game visually appealing” and enhance her overall experience. “The frequent updates with new staples and themes keep things interesting and align with current fashion trends,” said Ramdyal.
Another defining feature of “DTI” is the voting system. At the end of the outfit creation period, players are presented with every look in the lobby and are asked to assign a number of stars to each outfit, ranging from one to five. Players who earn more total stars progress through the ranks, from New Model (0-49 stars) to Top Model (25,000+ stars). The game offers rewards to continued gameplay: a shiny rank badge above your player model, indicating how fashionable you are, and tier-locked rewards, like unique dresses and purses. Voting on “DTI” is user-driven, giving players a true sense of investment and importance in creating crowd-pleasing outfits.
Recently, “DTI” participated in a collaboration with Charli xcx, introducing a number of “brat”-themed clothing items and neon-green aesthetics. “I think the ‘brat’ theme was a good move, especially with the idea of a ‘brat summer’ happening,” said Ramdyal. The game developer’s choice to collaborate with an album featuring mature themes was a calculated choice that attracted older users who relate to the music and aesthetics of the new Charli xcx album.
However, nostalgia may be one of the driving factors of “DTI”’s success amongst mature audiences. “‘Dress to Impress’ has a nostalgic vibe and mimics games from many Gen Z childhood games,” said Olivia Vanden Assem, FCRH ’25. Websites like GirlsGoGames.com boasted a myriad of games similar to “DTI” in the early 2000s. Sitting at a shared family computer or in front of a first-generation iPad to play dress-up games is an activity many Gen Zers and millennials remember, and “DTI” taps back into this fond pastime. There are little-to-no requirements for playing “DTI”. All a player needs is a device and a free Roblox account — entry costs are negligible. In a world where hobbies accumulate expenses at every turn, “DTI” is offering older players an inexpensive opportunity to revisit their childhood memories and hobbies in a trendy way. So hit the runway, Pose 28 and earn that Top Model rank.
