Build Your Own Clothing Seller's Mannequin

Why Mannequins Are Not for Dummies
Alright,so this topic might sound like something out ofa Science Fiction book at first glance, but if you think about it closely, it is all about professionalism. In the world of clothing retail,there aresalesmanthink the most important thingabout selling is presentation--if you putsomething the right way on a dummy, any dummy will buy it--but such is not true. For the most part,people are smart(at least when it gees to spending their money. The author doesn't necessarily vouch for anything else) and will only buy a clothing productif it is worth buying. However, theopposite of that idea, the idea that''presentation is nothing'' is certainly false. Presentation is extremely important,especiallywhen selling on okay.People cannot see or feel merchandise up close on okaybut only have a picture to go on to get an idea of fit, size, manufacture, etc. Thatis whymany successful clothing sellers on okay use mannequins.(See the followingthread to read what others have to say about using a mannequin:Mannequins in clothing sales)
If you are in a ''brick and mortar'' store, as a store in a physical locality is called, it is probably wisest to purchase a professional plastic mannequin for display. If selling on okay from your own home however, you may not want to spend ten to one hundred dollarson a mannequin.. Nor may you have the space to storeone. Besides that,what will the guests think when they see a plastic headless torsositting in the guest closet?So here are a few simple steps to help you build your ownmannequin, using things from around the house or easily saughtto help you better display your clothes.(Note, the author has chosen to usefemale form. Though mannequins for men and children can be just as easily made with a few obvious adjustments to the steps)
Time Required:
20-30 minutes
Materials Needed:

1. 1 corsette, bustier or other figure shaping device2.1 black, white or skin-colored leotard, body suite or tight-fitting top 3.1 pair of lycra or spandex lady's exercise shorts or girdle4.20-20 sheets of newspaper(one newspaper will do)5. 6 medium/large safety pins 6.1 swivel necked hanger(the kind where the head turns)
Directions:


1. Crinkle each sheetof 2. Stuff corsette and shorts 3. Align both halves of the dummynewspaper into a ball.with newspaperuntil as shown.both halves are full.




4. Pin theupper half tolower5.Hang the corsette 6. Place body suite, leotard, or halfusingsafety pins, twiceinorbustier by the tight-fitting top over the hanger, back and front, and once onstraps or hangingcorsette and shorts.Finish each side. strings on the swivel stuffingif needed.neck hanger.
Now your mannequin is finished!
Just notice the difference in appearance of the same piece of apparel in these two pictures, one without the mannequin, the other with it.Which one looks more professional and appealing to you?




without the mannequin with the mannequin
For more examples please see my auctionsusing a mannequin to displaythe clothes. my auctions Or if you'd like to try on a plastic dummy for size...see ''mannequins''