Alternate Images are the photos that follow the primary image on a Macy's product page. Macy's requires them: every colorway needs at least 3 images in total (the primary plus 2 alternates), and a colorway with fewer is not accepted. Up to 10 alternates are allowed, for 11 images in all, and the swatch does not count toward either number. Macy's guidance is that 5 or more images lifts conversion, so use every qualifying photo you have.
The field is set per colorway. Every size of a color shares the same alternates, and each colorway of a style group needs its own set that shows that color.
Image counts and format
| Rule | Value |
|---|---|
| Minimum per colorway | 2 alternates (3 images including the primary) |
| Maximum per colorway | 10 alternates (11 images including the primary) |
| Swatch counted? | No |
| Background | White |
| Orientation | Portrait; Macy's documents 140:171, and Osello crops to 4:5, which Macy's accepts |
| File size | Up to 10 MB per image |
| Quality | In focus, no upsizing of small files |
| Content | Photographs only; no AI-generated or rendered images |
Text, logos and promotional messaging are allowed on alternates but not on the Primary Image, so a captioned lifestyle shot belongs here.
Order of the images
The first alternate is a second view of the primary. If the primary is a cropped on-figure shot, the first alternate is the full-length or side view; if the primary is already full length, the first alternate is the back view. After that come the remaining angles (back, side), then detail close-ups, then off-figure laydowns, with lifestyle images last. When a category shot list applies, follow it instead of the generic order.
Two images with the same view, orientation and scene never sit next to each other, and no image is used twice or reused from the primary slot.
Rules for every image
- Every image shows this colorway. Photos of another color are skipped, and a group shot of every colorway together is used only when nothing else exists for that color.
- Gift-set and packaging photos are supporting images, never the first alternate.
- Images that preview a customization or show a measurement overlay are left out unless nothing else qualifies.
- Kids imagery shows non-cropped faces only.
Category shot lists
Macy's publishes a shot list for most categories; "video" appears where Macy's recommends one.
| Category | Views |
|---|---|
| Women's Tops & Tees | 6 to 7: crop for top, full length, tight detail, crop back, laydown still, close-up still, video |
| Women's Dresses | 6 to 8: front, alternate, tight fabric or detail close-up, side, back, off-figure laydown, off-figure close-up, video |
| Women's Bottoms | Jeans (every wash) and pants: crop front, full length, alternate or side, crop back, off-figure laydown, detail close-up (back pocket and hem for jeans), video. Shorts and skirts: full length, crop for bottom, alternate or side, crop back, off-figure laydown, off-figure detail |
| Women's Outerwear | Coats and jackets, 6 to 8: full length, alternate, tight detail, closed or open showing the interior, back, off-figure laydown, off-figure close-up, video. Blazers: full length, crop front, tight, alternate or interiors, crop back, detail fabric, video |
| Women's Outfits | Suits, 6 to 7: full length, crop front, alternate or side, crop back, detail, off-figure laydown, video. Jumpsuits and rompers follow the dresses list |
| Women's Swim | Separates, 5 to 6: front, alternate, back, off-figure back, off-figure laydown, off-figure close-up, video. One-pieces: front, alternate or side, back, tight, off-figure front, off-figure back, off-figure close-up, video |
| Women's Intimate Apparel | Intimates, 5 to 6: front, alternate or side, back, tight, off-figure laydown, off-figure close-up. Socks and hosiery, 3 or more: off-figure front, detail, packaging, plus on-figure or lifestyle where rights permit |
| Women's Sleepwear & Robes | Sleep sets, 6 to 7: full length, alternate or side, tight, back, off-figure laydown, off-figure close-up, video |
| Men's Shirts | Dress shirts, 6 to 7: crop front, tight, full length, crop back, cuff detail, collar detail, off-figure folded, off-figure collar, off-figure cuff, video. Casual shirts, polos and t-shirts follow the tops list |
| Men's Bottoms | Jeans (every wash) and pants, 6 to 7: crop front, full length, alternate or side, crop back, off-figure laydown, detail close-up, back pocket and hem details for jeans, video. Shorts: full length, crop for bottom, alternate or side, crop back, off-figure laydown, off-figure detail |
| Men's Outerwear | Sport jackets and blazers, 6 to 7: full length, crop front, tight, alternate or interiors, crop back, detail fabric, video. Coats and jackets: full length, alternate, tight, closed or open interior, back, off-figure laydown, off-figure close-up, video |
| Men's Suits & Tuxedos | 6 to 7: full length, crop front, alternate or side, crop back, detail, hem detail, video |
| Men's Underwear & Socks | Single packs, 3 or more: front, alternate or side, back, off-figure close-up. Multi-packs: off-figure color assortment, front, alternate or side, back, off-figure close-up. Socks: off-figure front, detail, packaging |
| Kids Clothing | Big kids and little kids, 6 to 7: crop for top or bottom, full length, back, off-figure front, off-figure back, off-figure close-up, video |
| Baby (0-24 months) Clothing | Full length, off-figure front, off-figure back, off-figure close-up. Infant month sizes show an infant, never a toddler |
| Women's, Men's and Kids Shoes | 5 required views: front, side, back, overhead, sole. Recommended: on-figure and video |
| Women's and Men's Accessories | 3 or more: off-figure front, off-figure alternate, off-figure back, off-figure detail, on-figure front, on-figure back |
| Bags & Purses | 4 required views for handbags and wallets: front, back, side, interior. Recommended: two detail shots, on-figure, video and a "what fits" image |
Common mistakes
- Submitting a colorway with only the primary and one alternate. Macy's needs at least 3 images per color.
- Reusing the primary as the first alternate, or repeating a laydown that already appears earlier in the set.
- Mixing colors: a navy dress with a red detail shot because only the red sample was photographed close up.
- Opening with the lifestyle or packaging shot. Product views come first, lifestyle last.
- Horizontal or square crops. Every image is portrait.
- Rendered or AI-generated product images, which Macy's rejects outright.
How Osello fills this field
Osello treats Alternate Images as a required, variant-level field chosen once per colorway and shared by every size of that color. It fills the primary image first, then picks the alternates from the remaining product images that show the same color, never selecting the same image twice and skipping customization previews. Images are cropped to 4:5 portrait, and when a photo has a non-white background Osello can replace it with white; any AI edit waits in the image approvals queue before it is used. See how Osello chooses your listing images, approve AI-edited images and the Macy's field directory.
Frequently asked questions
How many images does Macy's require per colorway?
At least 3 in total: the primary plus 2 alternates. The ceiling is 11 (the primary plus 10 alternates). The swatch image is separate and does not count toward either number.
Can alternate images have text or logos on them?
Yes. Text, logos and promotional messaging are allowed on alternates. They are not allowed on the primary image unless the text is part of the product itself.
Do all sizes of a color need their own alternates?
No. Alternates are set per colorway, and every size of that color shares the same set. Each colorway in the style group needs its own set that shows that color.
Can I use a lifestyle photo as the first alternate?
Not as the first one. The first alternate is another view of the product itself, either the full-length or side view when the primary is cropped, or the back view when it is not. Lifestyle shots go at the end of the set.
Does Macy's accept 4:5 images when its guide says 140:171?
Yes. Both are portrait and close in shape, and Macy's accepts 4:5. Osello crops to 4:5 because it is the more common standard across marketplaces.