Doll stands become essential when you start displaying your dolls, especially in glass cases or arm to arm on a large collection.  While sometimes you can get away with propping one doll in front of the other or side by side, you do risk the domino effect if there are any changes in movement or if gravity sets in.  Doll stands are wonderful for just that purpose, to keep your doll upright at all times and from sliding to and fro from her position.  Some stands are designed to be compact, and others a bit more grand depending on how you wish to highlight your dolls.