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Christmas is a time when many relish the opportunity to don their most festive attire, be it a novelty jumper, a sequinned frock or even full-on Father Christmas garb. Whether you're off to the office party or out on the town with mates, there's no shortage of ways to get into the holiday spirit.

However, one woman was left red-faced after an ' Instagram vs reality' mishap involving a supposedly stunning Christmas dress she'd ordered online. The garment, which boasted a daringly low neckline, applique flowers and exquisite sleeves, seemed fit for royalty in the product photos. But the reality left her utterly gobsmacked.

Melissa Joan Hart took to Threads to share her online shopping disaster, juxtaposing the image of the beautiful dress she'd ordered against the monstrosity that arrived. The latter bore little resemblance to the glamorous outfit she'd hoped to dazzle in this festive season.

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While Melissa didn't disclose where she'd bought the dress or how much she'd forked out for it, curious followers speculated that it must have been a bargain buy, given the stark difference in quality. After all, intricate garments usually come with a hefty price tag.

In her post, Melissa lamented: "What I ordered...What I received! Online ordering sucks! Going rogue for my fancy ugly sweater look this year now". The actual item she received was a far cry from the advertised dress, looking decidedly dowdy in comparison.

It's fair to say that all the embellishments which Melissa had presumed were 3D turned out to be merely printed onto the tatty-looking jumper, whilst the dramatic neckline she'd hoped would transform her into a festive goddess appeared clumsy and gaping, falling well short of expectations.

In the snap, she appeared thoroughly unimpressed as she stared into the camera with disapproving eyes, pulling a face because she was distinctly underwhelmed by what had arrived.

However, in the comments section, people offered her guidance on how to sidestep such disappointments in future.

One person commented: "Baby, please put things in AI filters before buying. It's a lesson for you for next time," suggesting that the frock Melissa had been dying to wear didn't actually exist in reality, and had been artificially enhanced to look stunning in order to lure purchasers.

Another person questioned: "Out of interest, how much did you pay for the dress that you thought had full embroidery and appliqué flowers, etc?"

One woman even attempted to drum up custom for herself, remarking: "I can't promise AI appliques, but if you ever want a real dress with real structure and great fit, please hit me up, I'll be delighted to make something for you".

A Threads user commented: "I mean, I hope you were expecting to get what you got, because the first picture shown is pretty obviously AI-generated, which generally screams scam".

"Sorry, but this is too funny," somebody else remarked, expressing their astonishment that she'd genuinely anticipated receiving the original dress.

Many online platforms are turning to AI-generated images for product promotion, as they offer a blend of efficiency, adaptability, and creative control that traditional photography often falls short of.

The use of AI in creating product visuals allows businesses to sidestep the logistical and financial hurdles associated with organising photoshoots, such as securing photographers, models, and studio space - a boon particularly for small enterprises or startups operating on tight budgets.

AI-generated images can be tailored to meet specific marketing requirements. For instance, a fashion retailer can display the same ensemble on models of varying body shapes, skin tones, or backgrounds, aiding customers in better envisaging how the product might suit them.

Such personalisation can render the shopping experience more inclusive and engaging. Likewise, firms can swiftly modify images for different seasons, festivities, or promotional drives without the need to reshoot their products.

Consistency is another plus point. AI tools can produce images that uphold a uniform style, lighting, and composition, contributing to a consistent aesthetic across a website, thereby enhancing its professional appearance.

However, this can often result in the actual product looking vastly different from its online image, leading to a sense of disappointment and confusion for the buyer. This is far from an ideal shopping experience.

Despite this, it seems that Melissa still intends to wear the jumper, even though it wasn't quite what she had anticipated.