Overview on Mannequins and Display Fixtures Used in Shirt Retail Showrooms

Karthi Krishna
Department of Fashion Technology, Sona College of Technology, Salem, Tamil Nadu.
Mail: [email protected]

Introduction:
In the world of retail, particularly in the fashion industry, creating an appealing and functional display is crucial for capturing customers’ attention and driving sales. For shirt retail showrooms, mannequins and display fixtures play a vital role in showcasing products effectively. These tools help in enhancing the shopping experience, giving customers a clear idea of how garments look when worn and helping store owners make the most of their retail space.

In this article, we will explore the various types of mannequins and display fixtures commonly used in shirt retail showrooms, their characteristics, and their roles in enhancing the store’s aesthetic appeal and operational efficiency.

1. Mannequins

Definition:
A mannequin is a life-sized model, typically in the shape of a human body, used to display clothing, accessories, or other products in retail environments, fashion shows, or for design purposes. Mannequins are made from materials like plastic, fiberglass, or wood, and they come in various forms, from full-body models to partial-body or torso mannequins. They are designed to help showcase items in a realistic or stylized manner, aiding customers in visualizing how the items might look when worn.

Types of Mannequins Used in Shirt Retail Showrooms:
Mannequins are a powerful visual tool used to display clothing in a lifelike manner. They help customers visualize how shirts fit, drape, and complement the body. There are several types of mannequins that are commonly used in shirt retail stores, each with its own advantages.

A. Full-Body Mannequins:
Full-body mannequins are life-sized mannequins that display a complete outfit, from head to toe. These mannequins offer the most realistic representation of how a shirt fits on a human body.

• Material: Typically made from fiberglass, plastic, or sometimes fabric, these mannequins are sturdy and lightweight.
• Pose: Full-body mannequins are available in different poses, including static, standing, sitting, or dynamic poses that give a sense of movement.

Advantages:

1. They offer the most realistic representation of a shirt’s fit and look.
2. Can be used to showcase shirts with complementary outfits (e.g., pairing a shirt with jeans, jackets, or accessories).
3. Provides a clear picture of how the shirt’s fabric drapes and fits on the body.

B. Torso Mannequins:
Torso mannequins are headless and focus only on the upper body. They are ideal for showcasing shirts and other tops like blouses or t-shirts.

• Material: Similar to full-body mannequins, they are made from materials like fiberglass or plastic.

Advantages:

1. Space-saving: Torso mannequins take up less space than full-body mannequins, allowing for more shirts to be displayed in the same area.
2. Versatility: They are perfect for shirts that are designed to be worn alone, as they highlight the shirt’s fit and design.
3. Cost-effective: They are generally cheaper than full-body mannequins while still providing an effective display.

C. Headless Mannequins:
Headless mannequins focus purely on the garment, without any facial features or heads. These are popular in shirt retail showrooms where the focus is primarily on the product itself.

• Material: Made from fiberglass, polystyrene, or other durable materials.

Advantages:

1. Keeps the attention on the shirt’s fit, style, and details, making them perfect for high-end fashion or simple casual shirts.
2. They create a minimalist aesthetic, which appeals to modern retail settings.
3. Less distracting for customers, as there’s no additional visual element (like a face) pulling attention away from the shirt.

D. Abstract Mannequins:
These mannequins are designed to be more artistic and often feature minimalist or abstract forms. They may lack realistic features (like faces and hands) and can have a more stylized appearance.

• Material: These mannequins can be made from materials like metal, wood, or molded plastic and are often designed to look sleek and modern.

Advantages:

1. Ideal for showcasing high-fashion shirts or unique designs.
2. They often blend seamlessly into a contemporary, cutting-edge retail environment.
3. Provide a futuristic look that attracts attention while keeping the focus on the shirt’s design and fabric.

E. Posable Mannequins:
Posable mannequins are designed with flexible joints, allowing them to be positioned in various ways. These mannequins are particularly useful when you want to convey different styles of shirts or show versatility in how the shirt can be worn.

• Material: Typically made from plastic, they have bendable joints (elbows, knees, wrists).

Advantages:

1. Flexibility in positioning the mannequin to display different shirt styles (e.g., casual, formal, rolled sleeves).
2. Interactive: You can adjust the mannequin to keep the display fresh and change the shirt’s appearance regularly.
3. Great for creating dynamic visual displays, especially in stores with changing seasonal collections.

2. Display Fixtures

Definition:
Display fixtures are tools or equipment used in retail environments to showcase products to customers in an organized, attractive, and accessible way. These fixtures help store owners or designers present merchandise in a manner that encourages browsing and purchasing. Display fixtures come in many forms, depending on the type of products being displayed, the store’s layout, and the aesthetic or functional goals of the space.

Types of Display Fixtures Used in Shirt Retail Showrooms
Display fixtures are essential for organizing and highlighting shirts in a showroom. They serve to optimize the use of space and enhance the customer experience by presenting shirts in an attractive, organized manner. There are several types of display fixtures that can complement mannequin displays and showcase shirts effectively.

A. Hanging Racks:
Hanging racks are one of the most common display fixtures in shirt retail showrooms. They are ideal for displaying shirts in a way that allows customers to easily browse through the collection.

• Material: Usually made from metal, wood, or sturdy plastic.

Types:

1. Single Rail Racks: A basic design that holds shirts on hangers.
2. Double Rail Racks: These provide additional hanging space and are ideal for displaying shirts of different types (e.g., casual and formal shirts) together.

Advantages:

1. Maximize vertical space, allowing for a larger number of shirts to be displayed in a small area.
2. Customers can easily browse through different styles and colors.
3. Suitable for stores that want to keep the focus on the garment without the distraction of mannequins.

B. Wall-Mounted Display Fixtures:
Wall-mounted fixtures are attached to the store’s walls and can hold shirts either on hangers or folded. These fixtures save floor space while providing an efficient and visually appealing display option.

• Material: Metal, wood, or acrylic.

Types:

1. Pegboards: These can hold shirts with hangers, hooks, or shelves, allowing for easy reconfiguration.
2. Shelves: Wall-mounted shelves are perfect for displaying folded shirts in neat stacks.

Advantages:

1. Maximize floor space by utilizing wall space.
2. Allow for clear organization and easy access to shirts.
3. Can create a clean, minimalist look that highlights the products.

C. Table Displays:
Display tables are commonly used in shirt retail stores to showcase shirts that are folded. These tables can be placed centrally in the showroom or near the entrance to attract attention.

• Material: Wood, metal, or glass.

Types:

1. Square or Rectangular Tables: Used for neatly stacked shirts or folded shirts.
2. Round Tables: These are often used for highlighting limited-edition or premium shirts.

Advantages:

1. Encourages customers to browse through the shirts directly by handling them.
2. Perfect for limited stock or sale items, creating a sense of urgency.
3. Easy to rearrange and change the display frequently.

D. Slatwall Display Systems:
Slatwalls are versatile display systems that consist of wall panels with horizontal grooves where hooks, shelves, and brackets can be inserted to hold shirts. They offer a modular solution that can be adapted to various store layouts.

• Material: Typically made from MDF (Medium Density Fiberboard) with a laminate finish.

Advantages:

1. Highly customizable, allowing for multiple configurations based on the store’s needs.
2. Great for stores that want to showcase shirts alongside accessories or other complementary products.
3. Maximize wall space, keeping the floor area clear and uncluttered.

E. Tiers and Grid Displays:
Grid displays are wire or metal frameworks that provide an organized structure for displaying shirts. They often have multiple shelves or tiers to hold a variety of shirts in an easily accessible manner.

• Material: Wire, metal, or steel.

Advantages:

1. Provide a clean, organized look that helps prevent the shirts from looking messy.
2. Ideal for displaying a variety of sizes and colours.
3. Can be used for both folded and hung shirts.

Conclusion
In shirt retail showrooms, mannequins and display fixtures serve as essential tools for creating a visually appealing and effective retail environment. By choosing the right type of mannequin and display fixture, stores can enhance their product presentation, improve customer experience, and ultimately drive sales. Whether using full-body mannequins to showcase a complete look or hanging racks to display shirts in an organized manner, every element of the display serves to highlight the shirt’s fit, style, and quality.

Retailers must carefully consider the store layout, target audience, and desired aesthetic when selecting mannequins and display fixtures. The right combination of these elements can transform an ordinary showroom into an engaging, attractive, and efficient shopping destination.

References:

[1] Chatterjee, K. N., Jhanji, Y., Khanna, S., &Manocha, A. (2017). Manikins in shop display. In Manikins for Textile Evaluation (pp. 57-88). Woodhead Publishing.

[2] Morgan, T. (2015). Visual Merchandising Third Edition: Windows, in-store displays for retail. Hachette UK.

[3] Orr, E. M. (2019). Designing the Department Store: Display and Retail at the Turn of the twentieth Century. Bloomsbury Publishing.

[4] Pegler, M. M., & Bliss, L. L. (2012). Visual merchandising and display.

[5] Ekersund, E. (2012). Concept development of an interactive terminal for clothing stores.

[6] Anitha, N., & Selvaraj, C. (2010, March). The effects of mannequins on consumers’ perception and shopping attitude. In International Conference on Business Administration and Information Processing (pp. 641-647). Berlin, Heidelberg: Springer Berlin Heidelberg.

[7] Ganeva, M. (1918). The Beautiful Body of the Mannequin: Display Practices in Weimar Germany. na.

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Founder & Editor of Textile Learner. He is a Textile Consultant, Blogger & Entrepreneur. Mr. Kiron is working as a textile consultant in several local and international companies. He is also a contributor of Wikipedia.

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