Online apparel shoppers infer fabric, texture, weight, and quality from images alone—engaging somatosensory expectations without ever touching the product. When lighting, viewpoint, or format fail to support accurate material perception, shoppers imagine the wrong tactile quality, leading to disappointment and returns. By applying perceptual science, retailers can identify the visual cues people rely on to infer tactility and haptic sensation, aligning imagery with human perception. The result is clearer understanding at purchase, fewer surprises at delivery, and stronger customer trust.