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If you’ve ever wrestled with a mismatched display or a wobbly store mannequin, you know that small parts make a big difference. Mannequin heads, arms, stands, and mounts transform a basic torso into a convincing presentation that sells. Whether you’re dressing a boutique window, shooting e‑commerce photos, or staging a trade show booth, the right parts help you save time, reduce frustration, and present merchandise the way customers expect to see it.
There’s no single perfect source — choices come down to budget, speed, and how specialized your needs are. Below are reliable U.S. options that cover everything from cheap replacement hands to professional-grade fiberglass torsos.
Amazon is the go-to if you want fast delivery and lots of variety. You’ll find mass‑market plastic heads, foam torsos, magnetic hands, and adjustable tripod stands that ship in days. Prices range from very cheap basic parts to higher‑end items sold by specialty sellers. The plus: product reviews and Q&A help you learn whether a 5 ft stand is truly sturdy enough for a full‑body display.
Looking for a vintage wooden mannequin hand or a discontinued chrome base? eBay is where collectors and resellers list unusual components. You can often score high‑quality used pieces at a fraction of the new price, but expect to inspect photos carefully and factor in shipping for oversized items.
For basic plastic heads, foam busts, and simple metal stands, Walmart’s online and in‑store selection is surprisingly practical. If you need ten inexpensive head forms for wig styling or a handful of plastic display hands for a school project, Walmart often has the lowest sticker price.
Craft retailers like Michaels and Joann are great for smaller finishing touches: wig heads, foam forms, pins, and fabric covers. These stores also run frequent coupons and in‑store promotions, which helps when you’re customizing forms or mounting props for visual merchandising.
If you want commercial quality and a huge catalog built for retailers, Displays2Go specializes in mannequins and parts. They offer adjustable arms, weighted bases, and shop display accessories in robust finishes. Prices skew mid to high, but the parts are designed for repeated use and strong visual impact.
Mannequin Mall focuses exclusively on mannequins and parts, from fiberglass heads to full‑figure dress forms. They’re a reliable source when you need exact matches — same finish, same torso size, same mounting hardware. If consistency across multiple mannequins matters, this is a smart stop.
Uline and Global Industrial aren’t just shipping suppliers — they offer heavy duty bases, poles, and hardware that handle commercial traffic. If your displays get bumped often or you need industrial dollies and racks to move mannequins safely, these distributors have the rugged gear that lasts.
Smaller display houses and boutique online shops offer custom paint, carved wooden hands, and specialty finishes. If your brand needs a distinctive silhouette — matte black torsos, metallic chrome heads, or artistically posed arms — boutique suppliers can deliver unique looks that stand out in a mall or online storefront.
Choosing parts isn’t just about aesthetic match — it’s about mechanical compatibility and durability. Here are the core considerations I check before buying any part.
Start with the torso’s measurements: chest, waist, and hip dimensions in inches. Standard female dress forms might have a 34 inch bust, 26 inch waist and 36 inch hip, while male torsos are broader through the shoulders. Ensure sleeves, shoulder slope, and neck circumference of detachable heads and arms line up — otherwise you’ll get odd gaps or awkward joins.
Fiberglass offers a refined finish and holds paint well, making it ideal for window displays and photography. Plastic and ABS are lightweight and inexpensive for temporary setups. Foam is perfect for wig styling and tailoring because you can pin into it. Fabric covers let you hide seams and give a tailor‑friendly surface. Pick the material that matches your use case: durability for retail, pin‑ability for sewing, and finish for visual appeal.
Finish matters as much as size. Glossy white and chrome scream modern luxury; matte black reads minimal and high fashion; flesh tones look realistic for mannequins that mimic people. If you’re mixing parts, choose the same sheen level — a glossy head on a matte torso looks mismatched under studio lights.
Here’s a practical price guide so you know what to expect when shopping across general retailers and specialty suppliers in the U.S.
Simple foam wig heads can be as low as $10, while hand‑finished fiberglass heads for photography run to $60–$80. Look for neck diameter and mounting plate specs to ensure the head fits your existing torso neck or stand.
Plastic detachable hands are usually $15–$40 each. Higher quality articulated arms with poseable elbows and wrist joints can cost $75–$150. Magnetic or sleeve‑insert arms simplify dressing — check whether the arm uses a rod or a sleeve mount and the diameter in inches.
Basic foam busts for sewing start around $40. Fiberglass display torsos for boutique windows often fall between $100 and $300, while custom or full‑figure forms for visual merchandising can approach $400 or more.
Simple tripod stands often cost $20–$60. Heavy duty weighted bases with chrome poles and commercial locking systems are $100–$200. Pay attention to pole diameter and insertion depth so the stand mates properly with your mannequin’s base socket.
Wig heads and basic collars are inexpensive, but decorative shoulders, custom neck blocks, or specialty mounting plates add to cost. Think of accessories as brand‑tuning tools — small investment, big visual return.
Want a mannequin that’s truly yours? Customization is where small retailers and stylists can compete with big names.
Light sanding and a few coats of spray paint can change a mannequin from dated to contemporary. Use primer formulated for fiberglass or plastic, then finish with a high‑quality enamel. I recommend masking the joints and using a rotating stand so the finish is even — plus it takes less than an afternoon for a full makeover.
Swapping in articulated elbows or magnetic hands lets you pose mannequins quickly. Magnets simplify dressing: you can remove arms and swap poses without loosening set screws. If you’re adding magnets, drill with care and secure magnets with epoxy rated for the substrate.
Want quality without breaking the bank? Here are tactics I use to stay on budget.
Retail display suppliers discount mannequins at season end. Buy winter coat forms in late spring or summer to get the best prices. Also watch for Black Friday and New Year closeouts where entire fixtures are slashed to clear inventory.
Many sellers offer torso + stand bundles that lower per‑item cost. “Seconds” with minor surface flaws are cheaper and invisible from a few feet away. Used parts on eBay or local classifieds can be a bargain if shipping distances are reasonable — remember to ask about the neck mount and pole diameter before you buy.
Mannequin parts often come with specific mechanical interfaces. Overlooking compatibility can mean returns and wasted time.
Common pole diameters include 0.5 inch and 1 inch options; some commercial systems use 1.5 inch poles. Measure the insertion socket on your torso in inches before you buy a stand. If the shop lists the pole in metric, convert to inches — a 25 mm pole is roughly 1 inch.
Fiberglass heads and torsos can be fragile in transit. Many specialty suppliers wrap items in foam and pack them in double‑wall boxes. If you’re ordering expensive parts, choose insured shipping and inspect the box for dents before you sign. If damage appears, document with photos immediately.
Different parts suit different jobs. Let’s match parts to typical use cases so you get parts that perform.
Window mannequins need visual impact and durable finishes. Fiberglass torsos with stylish heads and weighted bases are my top pick for this use. For clothing that’s layered, choose poseable arms to create movement and dynamic compositions.
For flat lays and mannequin shoots used in product photos, foam busts and detachable hands are ideal. They’re pin‑able and lightweight, making it easy to swap garments and adjust posture quickly in a studio setting.
Here’s a short cheat‑sheet I use when advising friends or buying for a small shop:
- Best budget source: Walmart or generic Amazon listings for plastic heads and basic stands.
- Best for customization: Michaels or Joann for covers, pins, and craft materials.
- Best for professional retail: Displays2Go and Mannequin Mall for consistent finishes and commercial hardware.
- Best for industrial needs: Uline or Global Industrial for heavy bases and transport solutions.
Think about what you need day‑to‑day. If your displays change weekly, favor lightweight plastic and quick‑release arms. If you stage long‑running window displays, invest in fiberglass torsos and quality stands. Mixing and matching across suppliers often gives the best value: buy specialty heads from a boutique dealer and basic stands from an industrial supplier.
With a little planning — measuring sockets in inches, matching finishes, and choosing materials by use case — you can assemble mannequins that look expensive without the long price tag. Happy styling and smart shopping make all the difference.
Conclusion: Investing time to choose the right parts pays off quickly in fewer wardrobe changes, better photos, and happier shoppers. Use the retailers above as starting points, match materials and mounts carefully, and don’t be afraid to customize. The perfect display is often just a few well‑chosen parts away.
