Using a mannequin to display clothing for resale... Dated?

[goldrushfinds]

I have been trying out various ways to display clothing for resale, including both use of a mannequin and the flat lay method. So far (although my sample size is somewhat limited), I think if anything, the flat lay items are outselling the ones displayed on a mannequin. What are your thoughts and do you think the use of a mannequin is starting to seem somewhat dated? Also, if you do use a mannequin, I am thinking maybe an all white or black one seems more modern.

[lamber9347]

I use a dress dummy when listing either clothing or jewelry. My sales increased once I began to use the dress dummy, vs when I laid them flat. I've never thought of a mannequin as dated either. I still see them in stores and online. 

I do use a solid black one though with no head on it....

[goldrushfinds]

Thanks for your reply. I use a 'beheaded' mannequin as well, although it is flesh tone. May I ask if you primarily sell women's clothing, as I would guess that the use of a mannequin may be more important to the female gender. 

[mtgraves7984]

I think they look much better on a mannequin, and I don't find that 'dated' at all. (Heck, I just left a real, live seamstress' shop... dropped a couple of pair of slacks for alterations.) With that being said... I list my few clothing items lying flat since I've never invested in one. After reading @lamber9347's reply, I might just start to shop around...

[m60driver]

Some clothes work well by just laying them down flat.  But other garments, especially some womens garments, lend themselves to displaying on a mannequin.  The good news is that with all the brick and mortar stores that have closed over the last decade  mannequins are now quite affordable.

[lamber9347]

@goldrushfinds Yes, only women's clothing and jewelry. The dummy I have is a female version. I've only sold a few men's items in the past and those I laid down flat on my bed. Many of the women's items have lace or bows on them which naturally look better when displayed rather than laying flat. 

With jewelry I sell many necklaces. Using the dummy it shows the length of the necklace best and where the pendant will hang in regards to the breast area. I have a low cut solid black dress which I use for all necklaces. It doesn't hamper showing the length of the necklace, while showing the necklace against the "skin" and fabric.... 

[inhawaii]

I'm the opposite.

I used to use the "lay flat" method then switch to a mannequin/torso and have noticed a increase in sales.

I should take my time and do it nicer.  Too lazy.

I just put the short on and take a quick picture.

[krazzykats]

I have these in male, female, boy, and girl sizes. 

They are hollowed out on the backside and store easily.

[lamber9347]

Exact same one I use, only the female version....

[short_circuit.lineman61]

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@goldrushfinds wrote:

I have been trying out various ways to display clothing for resale, including both use of a mannequin and the flat lay method. So far (although my sample size is somewhat limited), I think if anything, the flat lay items are outselling the ones displayed on a mannequin. What are your thoughts and do you think the use of a mannequin is starting to seem somewhat dated? Also, if you do use a mannequin, I am thinking maybe an all white or black one seems more modern.

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I do not sell cloths but I would think that the flat lay method would be the way to go unless it is high dollar cloths.

If we are talking $20 clothing you need to be cranking through the listings.

[simply-the-best-for-you]

Do you mean an actual mannequin or a hollow form as shown above?   I use hollow forms, I have 5 of them BUT a mannequin (actual mannequin with arms) is still the gold standard for displaying clothes the best.  There's not even a question.  However, mannequins are expensive, unwieldly, hard to store & a pita to work with, they're often heavy too.   If you look at @chapeau-noir  clothes, you can see how a manni is best used to it's advantage.  It's especially helpful for items that need arms to show them off.  That said, I use hollow forms b/c of the heaviness & unwieldiness - is that a word? of actual mannis.   

I think I've only used a flat lay once or twice ever.  I see no need.  My customers don't want to see stuff on a floor or bed & there just is rarely a need for a flat lay.  BUT, I do not sell trendy, nor do I sell to teens & millennials. 

I have 4 hollow forms, 2 misses size, 2 plus size, each one in black & 1 in white or 'flesh' & then a very small one, child like, but actually has big boobs, for tiny, trendy pieces.  

I don't care about what's trendy or modern or dated.  I care about what shows clothes the best & that is a mannequin, followed by either a dress form (that sewers use) or hollow forms.   

ETA:  Pants don't do well with the hollow forms.  If you sell a lot of pants I'd do a pant form or find another way that works for you.  I personally avoid pants for the most part, for many reasons. 

[simply-the-best-for-you]

I should also add that 2 of my forms are gender bending - Lola (yes from the song) & RuPaul, they are male hollow forms that wear a very padded bra when I want to use them for misses clothing & no bra, when I use them for mens clothes.   The Plus size forms are Betty & Rosie, cuz there's a Whole Lotta Rosie. 

[chapeau-noir]

Why, thank you!

My mannequin weighs about 25 lb, 30 lb with the stand (which doesn't have to be lifted) so that's something to keep in mind - the weight is no big deal, but they're unwieldy say if you have to flip it upside down to put pants on, particularly if you have almost 0 space like I have.  And they're kind of THERE all the time - mine lives in a corner of the living room which is the only place I have to take decent photos.

Half hollows are the best bang for the buck IMHO - you can just hang pants and skirts on hangers, but I've used one for pants and skirts, too - just close pin them on and hang them up.  They store easily, too.

[chapeau-noir]

I want to say also that I have nowhere to flat lay anything - vertical is all I can do.  I've hung stuff up on the wall and scotch taped the sleeves - that works, too, but where I can do that the light is lousy and the photos need too much post (I know, because that was one of myriad places I tried when I first started up in this - I've tried almost everything due to living in the woods in a dark climate).

[femmefan1946]

More important to my mind is that the garment be ironed, the title has the manufacturer's size, and the description has the actual measurements.

Particularly in women's clothing measurements bear little similarity to size. The higher the price point the roomier the garment. It's called 'Vanity Sizing'.