In the world of clothing retail, dress mannequins and displays are an integral part of promoting clothing ranges and accessories. Wearing a garment on a mannequin and placing it inside a display has been shown to increase sales by up to 70% in some cases – a great idea for promoting poor sales lines! But the increase in sales cannot simply be attributed to better visibility within the store, that is, dressed on a mannequin; it also has a lot to do with the lifestyle they create, the way they make the customer feel, think and act when they see the garments displayed on mannequins. Sometimes it can be seen as an endorsement to the shopper that if the store has selected these clothes for display, they must be believable, stylish or on-trend, so I’ll have one too!
When dressed on a mannequin, the garment is immaculately presented (pressed with no visible creases!) and wrapped on a perfectly figured mannequin; then suddenly it becomes more than just visibility and seeing more of the garment: it’s about prompting the suggestion to the customer: ‘that looks great on those models, I want one of those’.
The average customer is physically shopping when they’re in a store, yet few of them are truly engaged in the shopping mindset: their minds are on so many other things, like thinking about what they need for dinner, remembering to pay a bill… . etc. etc. most are browsers simply because most are not mentally shopping. For this reason, it is the power of the screen that makes them stop in their tracks and think: wow, that looks fantastic! A dressed mannequin or a display stand will always attract the customer’s attention before any garment on a hanger.
Now that we have established the importance of mannequins and bust forms or tailor’s dummies, here are ten top tips for a successful display.
Top Tip: Always dress mannequins from the bottom up and the finish should always be from the top down.
1 – Carefully select the garments and outfits to exhibit. It is important that dressings are coordinated, especially if there is more than one mannequin on display. Accessories that complement selected garments can also add ‘finish’ and ‘attention to detail’ to a display. Take your time selecting outfits because what may seem like a small mistake in garment choice when dressing the mannequin in the back will be a big noticeable mistake on screen.
Note for point 1: Always select the garment size that perfectly fits your mannequin. Do not wear oversized garments as they will give an inaccurate image of fit, drape and style.
2 – Thoroughly iron or steam all garments and outfits that will be included in the exhibition. If ironing, remember to iron on the reverse side of all garments as there will be a shine on the opposite side, making your garment look cheap and worn under screen lighting. The screens will amplify the good but also the bad.
3 – Make sure the mannequin to be dressed has been separated into its separate components in the arms, legs and torso. Always start with the area of the legs and feet. Adjust the socks and shoes that have been chosen to complement the outfit, place them on the mannequin first before attempting to dress in the clothes. The item to be donned last should always be the item that is most visible on display (eg jacket or top, dress, etc.) – dressing last will ensure minimal wrinkling during preparation.
Note for #3: This will mean you may need to turn your legs upside down so that the foot area is closer to you for dressing. Then flip him back onto his feet to add the torso and continue dressing him up.
4 – Dress from the bottom up, the next garment must be the ‘bottom’: skirt, dress or pants. Note that for pants, these should be placed over both feet just before putting on the shoes: they should be brought back upright and the torso secured. In the case of a skirt or dress, the torso must first be secured over the upper legs/hip before placing the skirt or dress on the mannequin’s head.
5 – In order to seamlessly dress the top section (the most visible section), it is first necessary to insert and secure one of the mannequin’s arms into the shoulder socket on the torso (make sure it’s the correct arm! right on the right side left on the left side). After securing one of the arms, open the blouse, shirt, etc. and place it on the secured arm, letting the excess fabric hang off the shoulder while you secure the other arm in place.
Note for #5: If the garment does not open, such as a t-shirt, it must be pulled over the torso before inserting and securing either arm. Once over the head, slide the mannequin’s arms through the short sleeve if arm width allows, and secure to the shoulder socket. Otherwise, slide the arm through the neck and along the shoulder to secure it in the shoulder socket.
6 – The other arm should slip through the sleeve (insert from the neckline along the sleeve with the hand facing down). Then, once it is completely inside the sleeve, the arm can be secured.
7 – Once the upper garments are on and all the components in place, you can begin the main dressing. But first check to make sure the completed mannequin is firm and secure on the base (usually through a hole in the calf or foot for the dowel to fit). Once fully dressed and styled, the mannequin needs very little handling to avoid wrinkling, so it is advantageous to position it precisely beforehand.
8 – Dress and style should start at the top and continue down to the feet. Starting with the neckline and collars, make sure they are straight and the buttons are lined up symmetrically on each side. For styling purposes, collars can be turned up, or just a single collar turned up at the ends. If the neckline is straight or slim, it will make an instant impression.
9 – Continue lowering the dressing to the waist and hips. The style of the garment will depend on its length and whether it has a fitted waist or not.
10 – The finish and attention to detail are the things that are done last but are the most important part of the costume. If the finish is not sharp, the impression given to the viewer is one of disorder and carelessness, so spending a little more time on the finish could pay off.
To top it off, start by stepping back from the closet and identifying unsightly or messy areas such as: garments with unexpected creases, off-center necklines, inside arm seams facing out rather than toward the body, accessories that aren’t straight or not straight. t party or maybe more required.
Ultimately dressing a mannequin is like dressing yourself! You wouldn’t go to work with one collar on and one off or with the buttons misaligned, etc. This practical guide and tips are simple but crucial to the customer’s perception of your display, brand and range: if it is displayed well and the dressing is elegant, it will increase the perceived value of the item and the customer may be willing to pay more. . for it!
