Mannequins (also known as body forms) come in many different colors, styles and textures today. The most prevalent ones in use on eBay are the half shell plastic torso style and will be discussed here today. These inexpensive mannequins can turn your clothing items from dull, flat pictures into dynamic photos with depth and texture. Such photographs can give your customers a realistic view of what the garment might look like on a person.

Mannequins perform the function of a fashion show model in showing off clothing, without the salary that goes with the model. That is why you are here, to sell your clothing and accessories.

As a buyer, think back to the last time you went into the store – any apparel store. The first thing to catch your eye was likely the display window mannequins’ showing off all the new fashions and sales. It’s one reason you went into the store. The mannequin gave the clothing the chance to draw you inside.

As a retailer, you want nothing more than to draw customers inside. That’s how you get sales – by getting customers inside your store. eBay customers and store/listing owners are no different. The store window is your title and gallery picture. It’s your one chance to grab someone’s attention to your listing. So your picture has got to be the best it can be to make the best use of that one chance. It must have eye appeal. The sweater you placed on the mannequin now looks fuller and more vibrant than it did just laying on a coat hanger against the door or on a carpeted floor.

Clothing is special breed when it comes to eBay – it’s all in the pictures used to display them. The more human like your clothes look to a potential bidder, the more likely they are to bid and the higher the bid price is likely to be.

eBay constantly tells us that pictures raise bidding activity and bidding amounts bid overall. It’s your listing we are talking about, so why not use a mannequin to show off your clothing. By putting your clothing on mannequins to showcase them, you maximize your listing investment. It still costs the same 35 cents to put a full, robust picture instead of a flat 2 dimensional one.

How do I know which one to get?

The Toddler size is usually in the 17”-18" range from top to bottom. It can show off most clothing suitable for the toddler age group. These tend to be full torso styles – partial legs and arms, allowing you to use the full range of clothing. The arms and legs on this style are not longer than a few inches and they are not full body mannequins. Pictures of these mannequins are usually found on most eBay mannequin listings.

The Child sizes are generally 21” in total length and are suitable for most kids clothing. They also are the partial legs and arms style allowing for the full range of child’s clothing.

Female and Male mannequins come in 2 different styles. The full torso (arms and legs) or the waist style (no legs). There are advantages to both styles. The full torso style allows for displaying all types of clothing but is especially adept at showing off lingerie and shorts. With the crotch and legs, garments can take on a smooth and life like form.

The waist style is especially good at showing off garments above the waist such as bras, jackets, and tops in general. Pants and skirts can be used on either style. The bust line of both styles tends to be in the B to C cup range allowing for a full range of bras and tops. The real beauty of half shell mannequins is its ability to showcase almost any size clothing you may have. Any excess fabric is simply clipped together in the back – we use a plastic hair clip. Clipping the excess fabric allows the garment to be flush across the surface of the mannequin to look natural and full.

You have another consideration in your choice of styles as well.  Choosing the full or waist line torso style directly affects the shipping requirements and of course shipping costs. The full torso male size reaches 32-36 inches in length and 17-21 inches wide when boxed. The box comes close to if not exceeding the normal or standard size limitations of most shipping companies (not weight). This moves it into the oversize category and noticeably raises the shipping charges. The additional cost of the larger mannequins can be overcome or minimized by purchasing Sets or Families of mannequins. The extra cost is spread over 3 or 4 mannequins instead of 1. This added shipping cost is a minor inconvenience when you consider the benefits of using mannequins in general.

What about color?

The three dominant colors now are White, Black, and to a lesser extent, Flesh colored. Each has its own positive attributes such as contrasting color and natural colors. The main thing you want your mannequin to do for you is to enhance the view of your clothing for a better sale. If the mannequin overpowers the clothing then you’re wasting your chance to sell it.

Light colored garments should be on black mannequins and dark colored garments should be on white colored mannequins. This gives the contrasting color benefits to the garment and the customers eyes focus on the garment, not the mannequin.

The background color can accent the picture or detract if not chosen well. We prefer the solid white or a pastel color background (poster board works well). Using this color range give the background some color without overpowering the picture.

The hooks are generally shipped unattached. The process to atttch them is simple and quick. Below are pictures to give you a visual on how they should look when attached.

These are some of our ideas and views. Check out others opinions as well as your own. Visit Stores in the mall and see what draws you in. Use the ideas they have and mix them with your own to achieve your goal – SELL what you list!!

Thanks for stopping by and please take a look at our store and auctions. Ask questions if you like, we try to answer all promptly.