Looking to take your clothing photography to the next level? A must read for selling on eBay, Etsy, Poshmark or Mercari: Best Mannequin For Photography.
Looking For The Best Mannequin For Photography?
Then you’ve come to the right place! On this page, you will find the best mannequin for photography.
Whether you sell on eBay, Etsy, Poshmark, Mercari, or your own website, these mannequins are sure to take your picutres to the next level. Why Do You Need A Mannequin?
There are several reasons you should think about investing in a mannequin for photography of your items.
Yes, it is an investment – meaning that it will pay for itself.
Here are a few reasons in case you are on the fence:
- Quality photos (lighting and mannequins) are a must to set you apart from your competition.
- Mannequins show the customer how the item will fit – including the shape of the neckline; length of the item; and it’s general shape.
- Mannequins can increase your sell-through rate.
- Mannequins can help you get more money for your items – the amount you deserve.
Best Mannequin For Photography - Full Body Mannequins
If you want to ability to display and photograph and entire outfit (accessories included), you will want a full-body mannequin.
Note that with this type of set up, you will probably not want to change pants often. Many people keep the same jeans on their mannequin and photograph different tops with it.
Another option that most come with, are to remove the legs completely. This handy feature is noted below for each applicable model.
Here are several reasonably-priced options for best mannequins for clothing photography.
Full Body Plastic Mannequin Realistic, Positionable, Detachable (Female)
This is the best-selling full body mannequin. It has 4.5 stars and over 300 ratings. Measurements are:
- Chest: 32″
- Waist: 24″
- Hips: 34″
- Height to top of head: 69″
Pros:
- Head, arms and legs are detachable.
- Head can rotate a full 360°.
- Arms can rotate at shoulders.
- Mannequin can be split at torso to be used as just a torso, or just legs.
- Lightweight for a full body mannequin – weighs about 15 pounds.
- Will accommodate full length dresses, coats, skirts, etc.
- Price is very reasonable for a full-body mannequin.
- In additional to clothing, these are great for displaying accessories such as hats, scarves, necklaces, etc.
Cons:
- You will need floor space for using it and storing it.
- You will need a lazy susan to spin it for ease while photographing.
- May have a tendency to tip over.
- Needs to be unscrewed from the base to change out pants/shorts.
Full Body Plastic Mannequin Realistic, Positionable, Detachable (Male)
This is the best-selling male mannequin. It has 4.5 stars and over 200 ratings. Measurements are:
- Chest: 38″
- Waist: 30″
- Hips: 37″
- Height to top of head: 73″
Pros:
- Head, arms and legs are detachable.
- Head can rotate a full 360°.
- Arms can rotate at shoulders.
- Mannequin can be split at torso to be used as just a torso, or just legs.
- Lightweight for a full body mannequin – weighs about 17 pounds.
- Will accommodate full length coats, etc.
- Price is very reasonable for a full-body mannequin.
- In additional to clothing, these are great for displaying accessories such as hats.
Cons:
- You will need floor space for using it and storing it.
- You will need a lazy susan to spin it for ease while photographing.
- May have a tendency to tip over.
- Needs to be unscrewed from the base to change out pants/shorts.
Abstract Standing Mannequin (Female)
This is the best-selling female mannequin with an abstract (non-realistic) face. It has 4 stars and over 15 ratings.
Pros:
- Head, arms and legs are detachable.
- Head and arms can rotate.
- Mannequin can be split at torso to be used as just a torso, or just legs.
- Will accommodate full length coats, etc.
- Price is very reasonable for a full-body mannequin.
- Great if you don’t like realistic-looking mannequin faces.
- In additional to clothing, these are great for displaying accessories such as hats, scarves, necklaces, etc.
Cons:
- You will need floor space for using it and storing it.
- You will need a lazy susan to spin it for ease while photographing.
- May have a tendency to tip over.
- Needs to be unscrewed from the base to change out pants/shorts.
- One arm is bent at elbow which may make it difficult to get some clothing on and off.
Abstract Standing Mannequin (Male)
This is the best-selling male mannequin with an abstract (non-realistic) face. It has 3.5 stars and over 10 ratings. Measurements are:
- Chest: 33″
- Waist: 24″
- Hips: 34″
Pros:
- Head, arms and legs are detachable.
- Head and arms can rotate.
- Mannequin can be split at torso to be used as just a torso, or just legs.
- Will accommodate full length coats, etc.
- Price is very reasonable for a full-body mannequin.
- Great if you don’t like realistic-looking mannequin faces.
- In additional to clothing, these are great for displaying accessories such as hats.
Cons:
- You will need floor space for using it and storing it.
- You will need a lazy susan to spin it for ease while photographing.
- May have a tendency to tip over.
- Needs to be unscrewed from the base to change out pants/shorts.
Giantex Headless Female Mannequin
This is the best-selling full-body mannequin without a head. Measurements are:
- Chest: 32.3″
- Waist: 24″
- Hips: 33.9″
- Height: 63.4″
Pros:
- Arms and legs are detachable.
- Head and arms can rotate.
- Mannequin can be split at torso to be used as just a torso, or just legs.
- Will accommodate full length coats, etc.
- Price is very reasonable for a full-body mannequin.
- Great if you don’t like creepy mannequin heads.
Cons:
- You will need floor space for using it and storing it.
- You will need a lazy susan to spin it for ease while photographing.
- Needs to be unscrewed from the base to change out pants/shorts.
Children’s Full-Length Mannequins – Set of 4
These child size mannequins come in a set of 4 of various sizes.
Pros:
- Arms rotate from shoulders.
- Will accommodate full length coats, dresses, etc.
- Price is very reasonable for 4.
- Great if you don’t like realistic-looking mannequin faces.
- Lightweight. Around 10 pounds each.
- In additional to clothing, these are great for displaying accessories such as hats, scarves, necklaces, etc.
Cons:
- You will need floor space for using it and storing it.
- You will need a lazy susan to spin it for ease while photographing.
- Needs to be unscrewed from the base to change out pants/shorts.
Best Mannequin For Photography - Torsos
Torso-only mannequins are perfect for displaying tops as well as dresses.
You will want to stay away from the wire, decorative type pictured above as you won’t want the lines visible through your clothing items.
Look for solid body mannequins that will give a nice shape to your products. There are several options including:
- full-height,
- table-top and
- hanging models.
These types are easy to take clothing on and off, but will not accommodate pants or shorts.
In addition, these types are the most affordable for displaying clothing.
Bonnlo Female Dress Form Pinnable Mannequin Body Torso with Wooden Tripod Base Stand
This is the #1 Best Seller on Amazon in the “Sewing Dress Forms and Mannequins” category.
It comes in various colors including: black, white, red, and monogrammed printed.
It has 4.5 stars and over 1,300 ratings. Measurements are:
- Shoulders: 13.4″
- Chest: 33″
- Waist: 26″
- Hips: 35.5″
Pros:
- Height is adjustable (51″-66″).
- Tall enough to display full length dresses and skirts.
- Pinnable. (Great for pinning clothing in place).
- Lightweight.
- Material will not create glare when photographing.
- Material is not slippery and clothing shouldn’t fall off.
Cons:
- You will need floor space for using it and storing it.
- You will need a board and lazy susan to spin it for ease while photographing.
Giantex Male Mannequin Torso
This tabletop mannequin is very well made, sturdy, and durable. Definitely made to last. It is available as a male torso as well.
Pros:
- Arms are removable. (I’d suggest keeping them removed for ease of dressing/undressing).
- The backside is solid, which is very hard to find. Most are hollow on the back.
- The solid back is especially great for photographing items like bras.
- Height can be adjusted.
- Doesn’t take up floor space.
- Easy to clean. You won’t ever need to lint roll.
- Well made and durable. You shouldn’t need to buy another.
Cons:
- The material is plastic and you may have trouble with some items slipping off. (See tips below for dealing with this).
- Material is glossy so you may pick up some shine and reflection in pictures.
- Will not work for very long cardigans, dresses, or skirts.
- You will need a table to set this on.
- You will need a lazy susan. An alternative would be to use a spinning stool instead of a table.
- Can be a bit on the expensive side, especially if you get both male and female torsos.
PDM Worldwide 11 Dials Dress Form with Rolling Base & Tri-Pod Stand
This is the best mannequin for photography when it comes to adjustablity!
This pinnable dress form has 11 dials to adjust the size of the bust, waist, hips, neck/back, and waist height. Because of this, it can accommodate a wide variety of sizes:
- Bust: 33-40″
- Waist: 26-33″
- Hips: 36-42″
- Back: 15-17″
- Neck: 14-17″
- Height: up to 69″
One of the other great features about this particular mannequin, is that it comes with a rolling base – perfect for moving around for pictures.
Although this is intended more for sewing, it could be used as a mannequin for clothing photography.
Pros:
- Adjustable.
- Pinnable. Great for keeping clothing in place.
- Will work for even the longest dresses and skirts. (69″ shoulder height)
- Fabric won’t create glare when taking pictures.
- Fabric will help keep clothing from sliding off.
- Rolling base to make moving/spinning easy for photography.
Cons:
- May take a while to get everything adjusted just right. May want to do similar-sized clothes together to save time.
- Will need floor space.
- There is a learning curve for adjusting it. And you will need to follow a particular sequence for opening/closing mannequin. For example, to close it, the order is: waist height, neck, bust, waist, then hips.
EZ-Mannequins Male and Female Mannequin Torso Set – Hanging with Hollow Back
This is one of the most budget-friendly option, especially for getting both a male and female torso.
If you need just one or the other, Amazon has options for that as well.
If you are limited for space, this would be the option to go with.
Pros:
- Lightweight
- Doesn’t need a table or floor space. Simply hang from a door or hook when using and storing.
- Will work for even the longest dresses and skirts.
- Matte finish won’t create glare when taking pictures.
- Cheapest option for two mannequins. Great if you are on a tight budget.
- Comes with clips to help clothes fit.
Cons:
- The material is plastic and you may have trouble with some items slipping off.
- The back is hollow and pictures may not look the best from the back.
- It may be difficult to get nice looking pictures if you don’t have a good door or place to hang these from.
Tips For Using A Mannequin For Clothing Photography
Here are some answers to common questions on using a mannequin for clothing photography:
How do I keep clothes from falling off my mannequin?
Especially using a mannequin with a slick material, you may have trouble with clothing falling or slipping off.
If you run into this problem, a little bit of blue painter’s tape rolled up can hold the item in place without damaging your mannequin.
If your mannequin is pinnable, another option is to pin the clothing item directly to the mannequin.
How can I fit plus-sized clothing to my regular-sized mannequins?
For very large clothes, such as plus-sized clothing and bras, you may need to use a clip or two to make the garment look correct.
If your mannequin is pinnable, another option is to pin the clothing item directly to the mannequin.
How can I easily turn my mannequin for photographing?
Most mannequins come with a stand or plate without wheels.
If you intend to use your mannequin for photographing clothing, you will want a way to take pictures from all angles without having to pick up and turn your mannequin for every picture.
The best way I’ve found is to use a lazy susan.
Simply place your mannequin stand on top, and voila! You can now easily spin it as needed.
Another option if you are working with a table-top stand variety of mannequin, is to place it on a spinning bar stool if you have one.
What if my table top mannequin isn’t tall enough for some longer dresses?
If you are going to be photographing a lot of long dresses, you will want to get a mannequin that will accommodate a full length dress.
However, if you have a table top mannequin, you can carefully place it on top of a box or stack of books to gain a few inches.
It won’t work for everything, but can be a lifesaver when you need just a bit more height.
Another option is to set your table top mannequin on a bar stool. This works for longer dresses if you have a stool like this around.
My items look great on a mannequin, but what about lighting?
Yes, great lighting is a definite must.
But don’t worry about breaking the bank! Here are 10 Affordable Lighting Kits Under $100.
What can I do if I’m not ready to invest in a mannequin?
If you’re not quite ready, that is perfectly fine.
Other options are:
- Flat lays
- Hangers
- Modeling yourself or have someone else model for you
Conclusion To Best Mannequin For Photography
I hope that after reading this article, you were able to find the best mannequin for photography for your specific needs.
Some other articles that you may be interested in are:
Flipping For Profit
Did you know there are countless “resellers” who make a living (even full-time income) from reselling pre-owned, used items?
While I’m not a full-time seller (I am a stay-at-home mom), I have been able to make a steady, reliable income from reselling (mostly) clothes.
Just last year I was able to make almost $20,000 from flipping thrift store items for profit.
Reseller Bootcamp
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If You're Wondering What You Can Resell Online...
If you’d like to see what kinds of things you can resell online, here are some other posts featuring the best things to sell:
- Best Things To Sell On eBay
- 100 Best Clothing Brands To Sell On Poshmark
- See my Top Sales for each month
- See my Top Sales of 2019 (top 20 out of 2000+ items sold – ranges up to $250!)
- Making Money Selling Clothes That Are Unique, Modest, or Just Plain Ugly
- 27 Non-Clothing Items Recent Sales
- 6 Kid Things To Declutter Today For Money
- 3 Things Around Your House You Can Sell For Money Today
Where You Can Sell Online, How To Ship, And How Much You Can Make Reselling
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It includes links to tons of helpful articles to get you started making money from home through reselling.
If You Are Looking For More Product Reviews And Tips…
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