I got a mannequin

[Guppy]

So the next level of obsession for me is to buy a mannequin. Or, I believe that the proper term for what I have is a dress form. Mannequins are for displaying merchandise, dress forms are for tailoring work.

I'd been looking for a better way to display my sale jackets for photos, and taking selfies with me as the model don't usually work out as well as I would like. This makes it easier to ensure that I have good composition, lighting, and focus, and really saves time. After browsing classifieds for several months, I finally found a nice one nearby at a decent price. It's old, I'm not sure how old, but I would guess about 50 years or so, appears to be made from fiberglass, and has a sturdy, heavy base of iron or steel.

For better photography, I'd like to find some lights and a background to shoot against, but for now this is an improvement.

I put an old long sleeve henley on it, with swimming pool noodles down the sleeves, and this helps fill the jacket and give it dimension.

Here's a sample from my first test shoot. The jacket is a nicely broken in cross zip motorcycle jacket made by California Creations, size 44.

 

[Gamma68]

I’d like a mannequin, too, for the same use. For the best lighting, shoot outdoors. If not possible, find an indoor spot with the brightest natural light. Use every available light you have for auction photos. Can’t stand when sellers post blurry, dark, out-of-focus photos.

 

[barnabus]

I bought one too!

For exactly the same reasons; especially for listing my for-sale jackets. Mine was about 25 quid off eBay and it's nothing like the quality of yours - polystyrene torso, wooden and metal stand - but it does the trick in front of my "ambient industrial backdrop" (garage wall):

 

[Guppy]

I’d like a mannequin, too, for the same use. For the best lighting, shoot outdoors. If not possible, find an indoor spot with the brightest natural light. Use every available light you have for auction photos. Can’t stand when sellers post blurry, dark, out-of-focus photos.

I have been shooting outdoors or on my front porch on bright days, for that very reason.

 

[Monitor]

That Lesco is so freaking cool!

No mannequins for me. I fear these things.

 

[Guppy]

That Lesco is so freaking cool!

No mannequins for me. I fear these things.

It's not a Lesco, it's a California Creations. I actually sold the Lesco that I'd had for sale for a long time, just last week . They are of similar quality. Well made, thick leather, age beautifully. This one fits me better than the Lesco did (better sleeve length). I'm debating whether to keep or sell it, I'm right on the fence about it.

 

[dan_t]

Oh my, how I’m hearing those Loungers’ calls of “Tuck that shirt in!”

 

[tmitchell59]

Look in your area for a store that is closing and selling off the fixtures. I bought several last year at local department store that was closing. There are a variety of sizes, styles.

White backgrounds can be good and bad. Too bright and you overexpose the picture leaving the subject underexposed or in the dark.

 

[ton312]

Look in your area for a store that is closing and selling off the fixtures. I bought several last year at local department store that was closing. There are a variety of sizes, styles.

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White backgrounds can be good and bad. Too bright and you overexpose the picture leaving the subject underexposed or in the dark.

Oh that Californian. What a jacket.

 

[El Marro]

Please put some pants on that mannequin!

 

[Guppy]

Please put some pants on that mannequin!

I'm probably going to have to. My girlfriend was making comments.

 

[ton312]

Shitters full!

 

[GHT]

So the next level of obsession for me is to buy a mannequin. Or, I believe that the proper term for what I have is a dress form. Mannequins are for displaying merchandise, dress forms are for tailoring work.

I'd been looking for a better way to display my sale jackets for photos, and taking selfies with me as the model don't usually work out as well as I would like. This makes it easier to ensure that I have good composition, lighting, and focus, and really saves time. After browsing classifieds for several months, I finally found a nice one nearby at a decent price. It's old, I'm not sure how old, but I would guess about 50 years or so, appears to be made from fiberglass, and has a sturdy, heavy base of iron or steel.

That's quite an unusual dress form that you have there. Unusual in that it has the protrusion of two legs, and a decency kind of crotch. Nowadays dress forms are unisex. My missus has been making her own clothes since she was just eight years old, her Aunt taught her to sew and to be able to read a sewing pattern. My missus has a number of dress forms, the multicoloured one also dates from the early 1950's, her Aunt gave it to her. Sadly her Aunt passed away some years ago, so the dress form has become an heirloom. It was very basic, a one size fits all.

Here's a few pictures of some of her dress forms, note the blue one, (cost me a king's ransom) all those dials are for size adjustment. You can even flatten the bust, or if it's something for a well endowed lady, expand the bust out, that's how they have become unisex.

The final pictures show you how she uses the dress forms to make my Aloha shirts. She was seriously impressed with your photos and thought that it was not only a novel way to display jackets, but it showed initiative too, you will find that potential buyers pay much more attention to the jacket displayed when there's nothing to detract their eyes from that which is being sold. Compliments to you.

 

[Guppy]

That's quite an unusual dress form that you have there. Unusual in that it has the protrusion of two legs, and a decency kind of crotch. Nowadays dress forms are unisex. My missus has been making her own clothes since she was just eight years old, her Aunt taught her to sew and to be able to read a sewing pattern. My missus has a number of dress forms, the multicoloured one also dates from the early 1950's, her Aunt gave it to her. Sadly her Aunt passed away some years ago, so the dress form has become an heirloom. It was very basic, a one size fits all.

Here's a few pictures of some of her dress forms, note the blue one, (cost me a king's ransom) all those dials are for size adjustment. You can even flatten the bust, or if it's something for a well endowed lady, expand the bust out, that's how they have become unisex.

The final pictures show you how she uses the dress forms to make my Aloha shirts. She was seriously impressed with your photos and thought that it was not only a novel way to display jackets, but it showed initiative too, you will find that potential buyers pay much more attention to the jacket displayed when there's nothing to detract their eyes from that which is being sold. Compliments to you.
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I've seen the ones that are adjustable... This one isn't, which makes me wonder whether it's a dress form or a mannequin. But it's the right size to wear what I intend to put on it, so it's a moot issue for me. I agree with your points on presentation. Hopefully it'll help me clear out some closet space over the next few months!

 

[navetsea]

that adjustable one in male version in red, I would cut a sleeve hole and wear it

 

[navetsea]

That Lesco is so freaking cool!

No mannequins for me. I fear these things.

I want these for different purpose ( to fade the jacket under the sun), but I also dislike human form at night in the dark, my mother is a dress maker and she has a full body mannequin with black wig standing at the corner of her room next to a full body mirror and antique dresser, later when she moved out that room became my playing room since my toys was stored in her previously cloth storage cabinets... that thing is scary, I could swear it moved its arms a little when I wasnt looking