Are inclusive and diverse mannequins a growing trend?

Agnè Baltakienė · 25 Jun 2026

Yes, inclusive and diverse mannequins are a growing trend — and the momentum has been building steadily for several years. Retailers across fashion, sports, and lifestyle categories are actively expanding their mannequin ranges to reflect a broader spectrum of body types, skin tones, ages, abilities, and gender expressions. This shift is driven by a genuine commercial case: shoppers are more likely to engage with displays that represent them. Below, we unpack the key questions retailers and visual merchandising teams are asking about this trend right now.

What types of diversity are retailers introducing into mannequin displays?

Retailers are introducing diversity across several distinct dimensions: body size and shape, skin tone, age, physical ability, and gender presentation. Rather than making a single “plus-size” addition to an existing range, the most forward-thinking brands are rethinking their entire mannequin lineup to reflect a more realistic cross-section of their customer base.

Body size diversity is the most visible change. Many retailers are moving away from sample-size silhouettes toward mannequins that represent a wider range of proportions, including fuller figures, petite frames, and athletic builds. Skin tone variation is also gaining traction, with brands opting for mannequins in deeper shades rather than defaulting to a single neutral finish. Age-inclusive displays, featuring mannequins with more mature proportions or visible aging characteristics, are appearing in categories like womenswear and lifestyle retail.

Physical ability representation is another growing area. Mannequins with prosthetic limbs or seated positions are being used by a growing number of sportswear and fashion brands to reflect the reality of their customers. Gender-neutral mannequins, which avoid traditionally masculine or feminine silhouettes, are also becoming more common in contemporary fashion retail, particularly in youth-oriented and lifestyle categories.

Why are major retail brands adopting inclusive mannequins now?

Major retail brands are adopting inclusive mannequins because customer expectations have shifted, and the commercial risk of ignoring that shift has become too significant to overlook. Shoppers increasingly want to see themselves represented in store environments, and brands that fail to reflect their audience risk losing relevance, loyalty, and sales.

Social media has accelerated this change. When a retailer launches a genuinely diverse in-store display, it gets noticed and shared. When a brand’s visual merchandising feels out of touch, that gets noticed too. The reputational stakes around representation are higher than they have ever been, and visual merchandising is one of the most visible expressions of a brand’s values.

There is also a straightforward business logic at play. A shopper who can see how a garment looks on a body similar to their own is more confident in their purchasing decision. That confidence reduces hesitation at the point of sale and can reduce return rates. For brands operating at scale across multiple store formats, even small improvements in conversion and returns have a meaningful impact on the bottom line.

Do inclusive mannequins actually influence purchasing decisions?

Yes, inclusive mannequins do influence purchasing decisions. When shoppers see mannequins that reflect their own body type, skin tone, or physical characteristics, they find it easier to visualise how a product will look and feel on them. That mental step from “does this exist” to “could this work for me” is where a lot of purchase decisions are made or lost.

This is especially relevant in categories where fit and proportion matter most, such as denim, swimwear, activewear, and tailoring. A shopper who has historically struggled to find their size represented in a store display may disengage before they even reach the fitting room. A mannequin that reflects their proportions changes that dynamic entirely.

The effect is not limited to body size. Skin tone representation matters in categories like hosiery, lingerie, and formalwear, where the contrast between a product and the mannequin’s finish can significantly affect how the garment reads on the shop floor. Retailers who get this right create displays that work harder, communicate more clearly, and connect more directly with a broader range of customers.

Which retail sectors are leading the shift toward mannequin diversity?

Sportswear and activewear brands are among the strongest leaders in mannequin diversity, followed closely by mass-market fashion retailers and lifestyle brands. These sectors have the most to gain from inclusive representation because their customer bases are broad, their products are body-conscious, and their brand identities are often built around accessibility and empowerment.

Sportswear brands in particular have invested heavily in size-inclusive and ability-inclusive displays, using mannequins with athletic builds across a range of proportions and incorporating seated or adaptive displays in some locations. This aligns with their broader brand messaging around performance and inclusion.

Mass-market fashion retailers, including those operating at high volume across multiple markets, have been expanding their mannequin ranges to reflect the actual size distribution of their customers. For these brands, the commercial case is straightforward: if a significant portion of your customer base wears sizes that are not represented on your shop floor, you are leaving sales on the table.

Luxury retail has been slower to adopt inclusive mannequins, though this is beginning to change as luxury brands face pressure to modernise their visual identity. Youth-oriented and streetwear brands have been quicker to embrace gender-neutral and non-binary display approaches, reflecting the values and expectations of their core audience.

What should brands consider when sourcing diverse and inclusive mannequins?

When sourcing diverse and inclusive mannequins, brands should start by auditing their current display range against their actual customer demographics. The goal is not to tick a box by adding one or two alternative mannequins, but to build a display strategy that genuinely reflects the range of people who shop with you. That requires a clear brief, a production partner with real customisation capability, and a plan for how diverse mannequins will be integrated across different store formats.

Key considerations include:

Customisation depth: Off-the-shelf mannequins rarely reflect the specific proportions, finishes, and poses that a brand’s visual identity requires. Look for a manufacturer that can develop bespoke silhouettes rather than adapting standard moulds.
Consistency across the range: Diverse mannequins need to feel like part of a coherent collection, not an afterthought. Finish, pose style, and facial treatment should be consistent across all body types and skin tones in the range.
Scalability: If you operate across dozens or hundreds of stores, you need a production partner who can deliver at volume without compromising on quality or lead times.
Sustainability: As sustainability becomes a bigger part of retail brand strategy, the materials and manufacturing practices behind your mannequins matter. Look for suppliers using recyclable materials and low-emission production processes.
Long-term partnership: Building a truly inclusive mannequin range is an ongoing process, not a one-time project. You want a manufacturer who can support you through iterations, new collections, and evolving brand requirements.

At IDW Display, we work with retail brands across more than 35 countries to develop custom mannequin ranges that reflect their customers and their brand identity. Our in-house design studio, sculptors, and production team handle the full process, from initial concept through to finished product, using 100% recyclable materials and water-soluble paints. If you are rethinking your display strategy and want a production partner who can bring genuine customisation capability to the table, we would be glad to talk through what that looks like for your brand.

Frequently Asked Questions

How many diverse mannequins do we actually need to make a meaningful impact in-store?

There is no fixed number, but the goal should be proportional representation rather than tokenism. A single plus-size or adaptive mannequin in a sea of sample-size displays will feel like an afterthought to shoppers. A practical starting point is to audit your current range, identify the body types and characteristics most underrepresented relative to your actual customer base, and build from there. For many retailers, this means replacing a meaningful portion of their existing lineup rather than simply adding one or two alternatives.

What is the difference between off-the-shelf inclusive mannequins and bespoke ones — and does it matter?

Off-the-shelf inclusive mannequins offer a faster, lower-cost entry point, but they are built to a generic standard that may not align with your brand's visual identity, garment proportions, or store aesthetic. Bespoke mannequins are developed from the ground up to match your specific brief — silhouette, skin tone, pose, facial treatment, and finish — ensuring that diverse figures feel like a natural, cohesive part of your display range rather than a visible addition. For brands where visual consistency is a core part of the customer experience, the difference is significant.

How do we integrate inclusive mannequins into existing store layouts without a full visual merchandising overhaul?

The most effective approach is a phased rollout tied to your existing refresh or refit schedule. Start with your highest-footfall locations or the product categories where representation has the biggest impact on purchase decisions — swimwear, denim, activewear, and lingerie are strong candidates. Work with your visual merchandising team to ensure diverse mannequins are positioned as primary display pieces, not tucked into secondary zones, so the message lands clearly with shoppers from the moment they enter the space.

Can inclusive mannequins work across different store formats, from flagship locations to smaller retail units?

Yes, but the approach needs to be adapted to each format. A flagship store can support a fuller range of body types and display configurations, including seated, adaptive, and gender-neutral presentations. Smaller formats require more selective curation — the priority is ensuring that at least the most commercially significant body types in your customer base are represented, even if the full range cannot be deployed everywhere. Working with a manufacturer who understands multi-format retail will help you develop a scalable strategy that maintains consistency across locations of different sizes.

What are the most common mistakes brands make when rolling out a diversity-focused mannequin range?

The most common mistake is treating inclusive mannequins as a marketing exercise rather than a genuine merchandising strategy — adding one or two alternative figures for a campaign, then reverting to a homogeneous range. Another frequent misstep is inconsistency in finish and styling across the range, which makes diverse mannequins look like they belong to a different collection. Brands also sometimes underestimate the importance of pose and positioning; a diverse mannequin placed in a peripheral or low-visibility location sends a very different message than one positioned at the front of the display.

How should we brief a mannequin manufacturer to get the best results for an inclusive range?

A strong brief should include your customer demographic data, your brand's visual identity guidelines, the specific product categories the mannequins will be used for, and any pose or styling requirements tied to your store design. The more specific you can be about the proportions, skin tones, and characteristics you want represented, the better the outcome. It is also worth sharing examples of what has and has not worked in your existing displays, and being clear about your volume requirements and rollout timeline from the outset so the manufacturer can plan production accordingly.

Will investing in a more diverse mannequin range increase our costs significantly?

There is typically a higher upfront investment involved in developing a bespoke inclusive range compared to purchasing standard off-the-shelf mannequins, primarily because custom silhouettes require new tooling and more complex production planning. However, this cost should be weighed against the commercial returns — improved conversion rates, reduced returns, stronger brand loyalty, and greater relevance to a broader customer base. Many retailers find that the long-term commercial case more than justifies the investment, particularly when the range is built to last and scale across multiple store formats.