Full-Body vs Partial-Body Mannequin: Which One Should I Choose?

Mannequins have been used in retail apparel stores and businesses for centuries. While their construction and design has changed, their overall objective remains the same: to provide a realistic human form for displaying garments and accessories. If you plan to use them in your retail store or business, however, one of the decisions you'll have to make is whether to choose a full-body or partial-body mannequin. Both are fully capable of displaying garments on a human-like form, but there are some nuances between the two that shouldn't go unnoticed.

What's The Difference?

Full-body mannequins, as their name suggests, feature a complete human form. A typical full-body mannequin contains the body, head, legs, feet, arms and hands. partial-body mannequins, on the other hand, are more basic and consist of just a torso.

Function

Let's first talk about the different functions of a full-body vs partial-body mannequin. The primary benefit of choosing a full-body mannequin is its ability to display garments and accessories anywhere on the body. Since full-body mannequins feature an entire body, you'll have more options when it comes to displaying garments and accessories.

Does your store sell accessories like handbags, hats and necklaces? If so, you'll probably want to choose a full-body mannequin for the simple fact that you can display these items and more. Thanks to its complete design, you can transform a full-body mannequin into the ultimate in-store product display.

Space

Space is also something that retail store owners should consider when choosing between a full-body and partial-body mannequin. Full-body mannequins naturally take up a greater amount of space than their counterpart. Sure, they offer a more complete display of the human form, but their space requirements is a disadvantage that store owners should be fully aware of.

If you haven't done so already, use a measuring tape to determine exactly how much free space is available in your store. You might be able to free up some space by moving around and adjusting product, but it may still not be enough for a line of full-body mannequins.

Price

The price of a mannequin varies depending on a number of factors, but full-body mannequins typically cost more than partial-body mannequins. If you're on a budget and looking to launch a new store without a large amount of capital, stick with partial-body mannequins. The cost-savings it offers allows store owners to display their garments without sending them into the financial red zone.

Tips For Choosing The Right Mannequins For Your Retail Apparel Store

Mannequins are arguably the single most important accessory in a retail apparel store. While store owners can always display their product on traditional shelving units, rolling racks, gridwall and slatwall, nothing compares to mannequins. Their human-like form and shape portrays an accurate representation of what a particular garment looks like when worn, and this translates into more sales from shoppers. With that said, store owners should carefully choose the mannequins that are right for their particular needs. If you're still scratching your head trying to decide which type of mannequin is right for your business, keep reading for some important tips on how to choose the right one.

Male vs Female Mannequins: Which One Should I Choose?

One of the first considerations you should make regarding which type of mannequin is best suited for your store is gender. Does your store focus strictly on female apparel and garments? If so, you'll obviously want to stick with female mannequins. On the other hand, if your store sells both female and male garments, then you'll probably want to choose both types of mannequins. Think about your target demographic and match it with your mannequins.

Remember, the ultimate goal of using mannequins in a retail apparel store is to display how a particular product looks on the human form; therefore, store owners should choose the appropriate gender for their mannequins. Placing a dress on a male-body mannequins isn't going to have the same effect as it would on a female mannequin.

Full-Body, Headless or Torso Mannequins

Of course, you should also decide whether you want to use a full-body, headless or torso-only mannequin in your retail apparel store. While each of these different mannequin types offer an effective way to display garments and accessories, they each have their own pros and cons that owners should be aware of.

Torso mannequins are inexpensive, lightweight, easy to set up, and take up minimal space. The disadvantage to using them, however, is that you won't be able to display full outfits. Headless mannequins are an all-around better choice simply because they have arms and legs attached, but yet they still lack the head. Full-body mannequins are oftentimes preferred by retail apparel store owners; they maximize sales, offer the best visual representation of a garment/outfit, and they are easy to set up. The only real drawback to using full-body mannequins is the space requirements (full-body mannequins take up more space than headless or torso-only models).

4 Surprising Facts About Fashion Mannequins

In the world of retail fashion and apparel, mannequins are the single most effective marketing tool available. Their primary purpose is to convey how a garment or outlook will look on the human form rather than a clothes hangers. It's oftentimes hard, if not impossible, to judge how certain clothes will look once they are worn. Thankfully, mannequins are designed to tackle this problem thanks to their human-form construction. Here, we're going to reveal 4 surprising facts about fashion mannequins.

#1 - Invented In The 1800s

You might be surprised to learn that fashion mannequins were originally invented and used in Paris back in the 1800s. Shop owners would use mannequins made of paper-mache to display garments to customers. Although they certainly weren't as durable or versatile or the models seen today, they still offered an effective way for stores to display their garments. Paper-mache mannequins stuck around for quite some time before being replaced by higher-quality models made of various materials including Styrofoam and plastic.

#2 - Garments on Mannequins Sell 40% Faster

It's no secret that garments sell faster on mannequins, but most store owners underestimate just how fast they sell. According to a recent study, garments sold 40% faster when they were placed on a mannequin rather than a rack or shelf. This is a surprisingly high number that's hard for store owners to ignore. By displaying your garments on mannequins, you could essentially boost your sales and profits by a significant amount.

If there's a particular garment in your store that's simply not selling as fast as the rest, perhaps you should place it on a display mannequin to help push it. Even if it's out of season, garments will naturally sell faster when they are on a human form.

#3 - Not Limited To Women's Apparel

Some store owners are stuck in the mindset of only using mannequins to display women's apparel. While they are certainly effective at displaying and marketing women's clothing, they can also be used for men's clothing as well. Don't limit yourself to just one gender. Take full advantage of your mannequins by using them to display both women's and men's apparel.

#4 - Mannequins as Weapons

Would you have guessed that mannequins were once used as weapons in the military? The ancient Chinese military used them to draw the attention of their opposing combatants. Soldiers would see the mannequins from a distance and believe they were real people.

What To look For In a Retail Store Mannequin

Nearly every retail fashion store will benefit from the use of display mannequins. Instead of placing your clothes and garments on hangers, you can display them on a mannequin so customers can see exactly what they look like on the human body. The fact is that customers are more likely to purchase a garment or article of clothing if they know how it sits on the body. With so many different types and styles of mannequins available on the market, though, you might find it difficult to choose one. If so, keep reading and we'll reveal what to look for in a retail store mannequin.

Gender

As you may have guessed, mannequins are available in both male and female genders. It's important to choose the right gender for your store. If your store specialized in women's clothing, then you'll obviously want to purchase female mannequins. On the other hand, a general fashion store that sells both men and women's clothing will require both gender types of mannequins. Think about what gender your target demographic is and then choose your mannequins.

Torso or Full Body?

Another decision you'll have to make when shopping for retail store mannequins is whether you want a torso or full body model. Torso mannequins are great for quick and easy displays that require very little room. You can throw up torso mannequins with a shirt or jacket just about anywhere inside your store. Another benefit to using a torso mannequin is their inexpensive price. Since they are made without heads, they are naturally cheaper than full body mannequins, making them a smart choice for budget-conscious store owners who are looking to save money.

Of course, there are also advantages of using a full body mannequin, one of which is the ability to display accessories. Full body mannequins allow you to show off things like hats, scarves, necklaces, earrings and other accessories along with an outfit. Fashion stores that offer these types of accessories should definitely consider purchasing full body mannequin instead of basic torso models. It's a smart investment that's sure to pay off in the long run.

Material

Lastly, consider what material the mannequin is made out of. A strong plastic or thermoplastic will naturally hold up more than some of the cheaper materials out there. In turn, this will allow you to get more use out of your store mannequin before it needs to be replaced with a new model.

3 Reasons Why You Should Use Mannequins In Your Fashion Store

Running a retail fashion store is no easy task. You'll be competing neck-and-neck against others who've already established themselves as a leader in this fast-paced industry. For people and businesses just starting out, this can be frightening and even overwhelming scenario. The good news, however, is that using mannequins in your retail store can help you can the upper-hand. Here we'll take a look at the top 3 reasons why you should use mannequins in your retail fashion store. So, if you are on the fence about using them, just check out some of the reasons listed below.

Reason #1 - Improve Window Display

When it comes to retail fashion stores, window displays are a critical piece of real estate that must be used correctly. People walking by your store without the intent to come in and shop may see your window display and be drawn in; thus, leading to greater sales and more profits. Unfortunately, this is an area that's frequently overlooked by newcomers to the industry. They assume that window displays are just another piece of their store, so they don't create any true sense of direction with it. Instead of setting your window display up just like any other area of your store, you should use a mannequin to create a lifelike appearance that people can actually relate and connect to.

Reason #2 - Change With The Seasons

Now that we're well into the spring season, retail fashion store owners everywhere are looking to update their inventory with more appropriate clothing. As the old saying goes "out with the old and in with the new" holds true for the world of retail fashion. If you have mannequins in your store, you can use them to show off your new spring apparel. While there's nothing wrong with using rolling racks and grid wall for storing apparel, it doesn't offer the same level of appeal that a mannequin does.

Reason #3 - Show Off Accessories

Let's face it, there's no better way to show off accessories than by using a mannequin. People want to see what accessories look like when worn, and a mannequin allows them to do so. Instead of placing fashion accessories like handbags, necklaces and other jewelry on the shelves or counters, perhaps you can use them on a mannequin. Chances are you'll immediately get more questions and comments about the accessories simply by placing them on the mannequins in your retail fashion store.

Using Mannequins To Display Store Apparel

Most retail apparel store owners will agree that mannequins are the single most effective selling tool at their disposal. Sure, you can hang garments on racks all day long, but it doesn't offer the same level of realism as a mannequin does. Customers are able to naturally see how a garment or outfit looks when worn by viewing it dressed on a mannequin. For this reason, it's a recommended accessory that every apparel owner should have. To receive the most benefit from it, however, you'll need to follow some basic tips when setting them up.

Choosing The Right Mannequins

First and foremost, you'll need to decide which types of mannequins will work best in your store. If you've never purchased them before, you might be surprised to see just how many different types there are. Some mannequins are designed with full bodies to model entire outfits, while others are basic torsos without legs or heads. Ask yourself what kind of clothes and garments you intend on displaying and then choose the mannequins that are best suited for the job. Remember, though, summer is right around the corner, so you may want to choose mannequins with the ability to display summer-wear clothing.

Mannequins also come in both male and female styles. If your shop strictly sells either men or women's clothing, you'll want to choose the appropriate gender for your mannequins. Trust me, you don't want to try and dress up your female mannequins in men's clothing or vise versa.

Going With The Season

If you are having trouble trying to come up with new ways to style your store mannequins, think about the current seasons and try to incorporate it into the design. As most people already know, the official 2013 spring season is now upon us, so try to use spring-themed apparel and outfits on your store mannequins. This generally means brighter, bolder colors with short-sleeve shirts and a mix of both pants and shorts. As the summer approaches, you can slowly begin to swap these items out for more "beachy" clothes.

Another little tip that's helpful is to check out what your competitors are doing. You shouldn't steal or copy their exact mannequin designs, but you can draw some inspiration by looking at them. See what colors and elements they are using. Sometimes all it takes is a little inspiration to spark a new mannequin idea.