Mannequins are one of those retail-fitout purchases where the wrong choice quietly costs sales for years. Our range covers full-body female and male mannequins, torso forms, head forms for accessories and adjustable dressmakers dummies. Mannequins from $85, with most full-body figures between $140 and $320. Stock is held across our Sydney, Melbourne and Brisbane warehouses, dispatching within 1–2 business days.
What is the difference between a mannequin and a dressmakers dummy?
A mannequin is for display; a dressmakers dummy is for fitting. Mannequins are usually one fixed size, meant to show a garment on a shopfront window or in-store display. Dressmakers dummies have adjustable measurements — bust, waist, hip — and are designed to be pinned into, marked on, and used repeatedly for fitting real garments. If you run a boutique or market stall, buy a mannequin. If you sew, do alterations or make patterns, buy a dressmakers dummy. Buying one for the other is the most common wasted purchase in this category.
What types of mannequins are available?
| Type |
Best for |
Height |
Price guide |
| Full-body female |
Boutique window displays |
170–180cm |
$140–$320 |
| Full-body male |
Menswear retail |
180–190cm |
$140–$320 |
| Torso form |
Market stalls, small shops |
60–90cm |
$85–$180 |
| Dressmakers dummy |
Sewing, tailoring, patternmaking |
Adjustable |
$120–$450 |
| Head form |
Wigs, hats, jewellery display |
25–35cm |
$25–$75 |
Can I use a mannequin for e-commerce product photography?
Yes, and headless or invisible-mannequin styles are designed specifically for it. The invisible-mannequin effect creates a "ghost" garment shot that suits marketplace product photography. If you are shooting for online sales, spend the extra on a proper matte finish — glossy mannequins reflect studio lights and photograph badly. Standard retail mannequins work for lifestyle-style photography but not for the invisible-figure effect used on Amazon and Shopify product pages.
Quick buyer's checklist
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Base weight: 4kg+ steel base for stability in real retail traffic
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Finish: Matte hides handling marks; glossy shows fingerprints within a week
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Removable arms and legs: Dressing a fixed mannequin is a two-person job
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Realistic sizing: Check bust/waist/hip against your actual stock
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Pinnable forms: Cork or dense foam for dressmakers dummies
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Adjustable height: Essential for sewing use, not needed for display
How much do mannequins cost in Australia?
Mannequins at Simple Deals start from $85 for torso forms. Most full-body figures sit between $140 and $320, with dressmakers dummies from $120 to $450, and head forms from $25 to $75. All items dispatch within 1–2 business days from our Australian warehouses.
What most sites won't admit
Almost every mannequin sold in Australia is imported from China — including ours. The real difference is not where the mannequin is made, it's what happens after it lands in Australia. Marketplaces dropship straight from overseas containers, which is why "fast delivery" stretches into six weeks. We import in bulk, hold stock across our Sydney, Melbourne and Brisbane warehouses, and ship from there.
The other thing nobody warns retail buyers about is base plate weight. Cheap mannequins ship with 1.5–2kg plastic bases to save shipping cost. In a real shop, that means the mannequin tips over the first time a customer's handbag catches an arm. We have seen boutique owners screw their mannequins to plywood boards just to keep them upright. Look for 4kg+ steel bases and check the base bolt pattern before you buy — retrofitting a stable base later is expensive and fiddly.
Frequently asked questions
What if my mannequin arrives damaged?
Contact us within 7 days with photos. We will arrange a replacement or refund under the 12-month warranty. Transit damage is uncommon with properly packed mannequins.
How is the mannequin assembled?
Full-body mannequins ship in 3–4 pieces (torso, legs, arms, head). Assembly takes 10–15 minutes with no tools required for most models. Bases screw on.
How long does delivery take?
Sydney, Melbourne and Brisbane: 3–5 business days. Perth and Adelaide: 5–8 days. Regional and remote areas: 7–14 days.
Can I pay with Afterpay, Zip or PayPal?
Yes, all three. A $220 full-body mannequin works out to four payments of $55 with Afterpay, four payments of $55 with PayPal Pay in 4, or roughly $19 a month with Zip over 12 months. Klarna is also available.
What's the warranty?
12 months on manufacturing defects, plus 30-day change-of-mind returns on unused mannequins in original packaging.
Complete the retail fitout
A mannequin is one piece of a retail fitout. A few things go with it. Most fitout buyers add three at the same time: salon fixtures for beauty and brow retail, cosmetic storage for product organisation, and outdoor storage for stock rotation and back-of-house.
Why us
Simple Deals — family-run since 2018. Australian warehouse stock. Support on 1300 456 786. Afterpay, Zip, Klarna and PayPal. 12-month warranty, 30-day change-of-mind returns. 4.66★ from 5,363 reviews.
