Buying a mannequin - even a used one - can be expensive so here are some tips to make sure you buy the right mannequin for your needs.  The tips in this guide are for full-bodied mannequins, not dress forms which are discussed in another guide. This guide was written by Mannequin Madness, the largest mannequin liquidator in the San Francisco Bay Area.

Mannequins are called silent salespeople because they make products look more appealing. Ebay vendors say items photographed on a mannequin sell faster and at a higher price than the same item photographed on a hanger or on the floor. People always react better when they see clothing as it should be worn.

There are 4 basic styles of mannequins - Realistic, Abstract, Headless and Bendable.

Realistic Mannequins have clearly defined facial features and wigs styled in life-like hair styles. This is the style of mannequin used in the windows of high-end retail stores such as Neiman Marcus and Nordstrom. Victoria Secret recently installed realistic mannequins in many of their locations.
 
Realistic mannequins are like Supermodels - a little high maintenance but their striking presence causes people to look and take notice. Some of realistic mannequins - the more expensive ones - are fiberglass sculptures of actual real-life supermodels.

You can get more versatility out of a realistic mannequin by putting different style wigs on it, which dramatically alters their “personality.” However maintaining the hair and make-up on a realistic mannequin can be time-consuming and if it does not stay contemporary looking it can “age” the mannequin. Unless you are selling vintage clothing, this is not a good thing. 
 
Abstract Mannequins – There are several styles of abstract mannequins. There are ones with vaguely realistic facial features with hair that is either sculpted or painted on. Their facial features can either have a futuristic, space age look or have timeless classic features that transcend any era. This style mannequin is found at Ralph Lauren and Niketown.

Another style of abstract mannequin is the “egghead,” a mannequin with a smooth oval head and no defined facial features. Vera Wang is using this style mannequin in her 2006 advertising campaign.

And lastly there are “art” mannequins, abstract mannequins with comical or whimsical faces and are often limited edition pieces designed by notable artists or designers such as Maira Kalman, Andree Putnam, Jeffrey Fulvimari and Anna Sui. This style mannequin is popular with cutting edge boutiques and people who want mannequins as art pieces instead of merely a vehicle to display clothing.  

As the name implies, headless mannequins, these mannequins have no head, they stop at the neck. The neck might be elongated, a straight cut or have a decorative element on top.

There are two schools of thought regarding the anonymous nature of a headless mannequin. Some believe that headless mannequins are good because they direct customers to look at the clothing, instead of possibly being distracted by the persona of the mannequin. Banana Republic and The Gap use headless mannequins in their windows. 

Others believe headless mannequins make it harder for people to visualize or fantasize themselves in the clothing. Vendors who want to accessorize their clothing with hats or earrings obviously cannot use a headless mannequin.

Headless mannequins are typically less expensive to buy than a mannequin with a head and they are easier to maintain because there is no hair or make-up that must be tended to. This is why headless mannequins are extremely popular both with on and offline vendors.  Some Ebay sellers turn a headless female mannequin around backwards and use the mannequin to photograph men’s shirts – that is really stretching your visual merchandising dollars!

Bendable mannequins are usually a wire frame that is stuffed with a sponge type filling and then covered in a canvas or jersey material. All of their joints – unlike the mannequins mentioned above - are bendable. This style of mannequin was popularized by The Baby Gap and Gymboree. Although bendable mannequins come in all sizes 90% of the bendable mannequins on the market are used to display children’s clothing, not adult clothing. Bendable mannequins can either have a head with no facial features or if they are headless, they have a removable hat attachment.

How much do mannequins cost?

You can find high-end and low-end versions of each of these mannequin styles, just as with automobiles there are Mercedes and there a Hyundai’s. A realistic mannequin with a head from a manufacturer known for superb craftsmanship and style will cost $750-$1200. A realistic mannequin imported from China will cost $350-$500. Headless mannequins range from $150-$550. Bendable mannequins range from $50 for an infant size to $300 and up for an adult.

 Brand Name Mannequin Less Expensive Mannequin

Brand name mannequins cost more because they are actually fiberglass sculptures of real life humans and many of the steps involved in creating them are done by hand. They have details such as sculpted hands and feet, eyelashes, spinal cord, protruding ribs, nipples and fluid looking poses. This level of detail is why brand name mannequins look so lifelike and are so durable. In our mannequin rental business, the brand name mannequins are our workhorses than can withstand a lot of abuse.

Less expensive knock offs, made in Taiwan, China, Korea and Vietnam are made by machines and resemble life-sized dolls and have stiff poses. If you need a mannequin infrequently or are putting a costume on it, then an expensive mannequin is a good value.  Or if you are using mannquin parts to create a scene like the one in the photo below.

 Mannequin used to display spa products

If your mannequin is going to be in a store window, the less expensive mannequins tend to turn yellow from the UV rays or shrink around the wrist joints because of the heat. Frequently the fittings that connect the hands to the arms are not as well made as the high-end mannequins. So in time they will stretch out and create a gap at the wrist, which makes the hands a little floppy.

Sometimes you you might pay more for a used mannequin from one manufacturer than you would for a brand new mannequin that is a knock off version of it. It is like buying a used, but genuine Luis Vuitton bag at a vintage store compared to buying a brand new fake Luis Vuitton from a retailer. For tips on buying a used mannequin, refer to  my guide - Buying a Used Mannequin? Get Smart about Buying Dummies.  

As a rule of thumb the more expensive the items you are selling, the better the quality of mannequin you should use. For example the type of mannequin you will see at a JC Penney or Mervyn's is different that what you’d see at Sak's or Nordstrom. People expect a high level of visual appeal when the merchandise is pricey.  

Here are some of brands to look for if you want mannequins with superior craftsmanship and quality - Rootstein; Patina V; Ralph Pucci; Hindsgaul; Greneker; Silvestri and New John Nissan.

How do I decide on which style mannequin stand to get or what pose the mannequin should be in? 

For tips on how to select the right stand and pose for your mannequin please refer to my other guide Buying a Mannequin? Tips so you don't get stiffed -#2