EBay UK has added an augmented reality feature to its fashion mobile app allowing shoppers to virtually try on sunglasses before they buy.

The ‘See It On’ Sunglasses app launched on Monday in the UK following its US debut last week. The feature will allow iPhone 4 users to apply different eyewear styles, frames and lenses to photos of themselves taken with the phone’s front-facing camera. Users can fit glasses to their faces using a pinch and zoom measurement.

Augmented reality combines live video or photos with computer-generated data and visualisations. The technology has been embraced by the fashion world: Grazia magazine created a 3D cover last year and there were 3D catwalk shows at London Fashion Week.

Last year watch manufacturer Tissot showcased augmented reality for its goods in Selfridges, enabling consumers could see themselves wearing the watches.

The ‘See It On’ Sunglasses function is the latest addition to eBay’s fashion app, which includes a virtual style gallery showcasing latest trends and a personalised closet enabling shoppers to save items.

At present the function only applies to sunglasses but eBay said it would seek to develop it more broadly if it proved successful.

EBay’s mobile sales trebled last year to nearly £1.3bn worldwide.