Model or Not?

[Foofoogal]

I was wondering if I could get comments on if seeing clothing on a real model or mannequin makes a difference.
I acquired a vintage mannequin at an estate sale and at the time thought it would be a breeze to find hands for it and have found it is impossible at this point so out of necessity I have hired models.
I have also been reading an interesting thread on another board about models being used for vintage clothing and if it is appropriate for younger teens to be shown in sexy clothing for lack of better word. I personally will not do this and also most concerned about protecting their privacy at all times. We probably don't want to get into that but my main question is does it make a difference in buying habits.
Does an exceptionally pretty girl or gal make a difference on if or not you buy the item?
I do think good pictures of any kind make a difference to me.
Pink Dahlias post about dress needing a slip made me think of it and exactly where I want to go with this modeling thing.

 

[KittyT]

Personally, I do not care if the model is pretty or hot or whatever. That said, it is nice to see what shape an item has before buying it. I prefer mannequins myself.

 

[ShooShooBaby]

hmmm. it all depends for me. i think more importantly than real or fake model, i would like to see dresses that are my size (i'm a modern-day 12 or 14) modeled on bodies that are at least within a couple sizes as mine! on thinner models i know the dress is not looking at all like it will on me, but i still can't help being disappointed at how it looks when i actually get it and try it on. i know this is my own body image problem, though i'd imagine many girls feel similarly and hesitate to buy a dress modeled on someone 50 pounds lighter than themselves, as i do.

i also understand that this isn't really practical for sellers though, as smaller models can model more stuff than larger models, and most people don't have an array of mannequins. [huh]

 

[Miss Neecerie]

hmmm. it all depends for me. i think more importantly than real or fake model, i would like to see dresses that are my size (i'm a modern-day 12 or 14) modeled on bodies that are at least within a couple sizes as mine! on thinner models i know the dress is not looking at all like it will on me, but i still can't help being disappointed at how it looks when i actually get it and try it on. i know this is my own body image problem, though i'd imagine many girls feel similarly and hesitate to buy a dress modeled on someone 50 pounds lighter than themselves, as i do.

i also understand that this isn't really practical for sellers though, as smaller models can model more stuff than larger models, and most people don't have an array of mannequins. [huh]

I agree....and personally I would rather see the dress laid out on a bed or something, then on a model where because its pinned back or whatever....it bears little resemblance to the actual dress...

I -know- we talked about this once before, and I cant find the thread...but will keep looking.

 

[Foofoogal]

Thank you. Vintage clothing sizes are so much smaller than todays clothing. I also wear about a size 10 to 12 modern size and am petite 5.1.
It is a bit easier for me to have a live model though as my mannequin is about 6.0 and comes apart in the middle. You should see me trying to maneuver her around. lol
You would think it would be easy to find a model but it really is not. I am learning as I go about this one.

 

[Pink Dahlia]

Hey I prompted a new thread!

Anyway, I have to say I like to see the dress on someone or something. I've passed on dresses laid out on beds because I couldn't get a good idea of what it would look like on. But I also agree with ShooShoo. It would be nice to see what the dress looks like on someone my size (modern 10 -12) as opposed to pencil thin mannequins. I also get offended when a seller writes something like "Dress has been pinned because it's WAY too big for my model." I just saw something like that today. Needless to say that dress did not go on my watch list.

Bottom line, I would prefer to see dresses on the body size they were meant to fit.

 

[goldwyn girl]

While it is nice to see the item on, whether it be on a person or a mannequin, it's understandable that if the seller has many different sizes some may need to be hung or layed out. If I like the item it makes little difference in the display method.

 

[Helen Troy]

I agree with the rest of the ladies here. The most important thing for me is to se e the item on something at least remotely body-like. A dress laid flat or hung seldom tells me anything, if I ever buy one showed like that it must be really cheap so I am willing to take the chance!

I am not sure if I prefer mannequins or real models, it depends on the other circumstances in the photos. The really important thing is to have plenty of informative photos, both close-up at details and general overwiew. Some photos with real models does not give me that. It seems like the seller/photographer has been more concerned with the model striking a nice pose and looking pretty, than the clothing being shown properly. But maybe it is easier to get the kind of detailed photos with a non-complaining, never-tiering mannequin than a real model?

Anyway, I know that I prefer a mannequin, no matter how ugly and worn, and detailed photos to not-that-informative pretty-model footage.

But like the rest of the Fedora girls, I would really prefer to see the clothes being shown on a body that it fits1 I hate it when they pin clothing to fit skinny models. Pinning lets me see how the dress would fit me if I had a skinny-body anatomy, just enlarged. But bodies are not built that way, my proportions are totally different from skinny girls, and I need to see how the clothing would fit me.

Conclusions: If you could find a way to show your dresses on models that fits, but with detailed enough photos, it would be great. Maybe a combo of mannequin for the detailed shots, and a right-sized model to strike a few charming poses so we can see the fit?

 

[Sunny]

I am not sure if I prefer mannequins or real models, it depends on the other circumstances in the photos. The really important thing is to have plenty of informative photos, both close-up at details and general overwiew. Some photos with real models does not give me that. It seems like the seller/photographer has been more concerned with the model striking a nice pose and looking pretty, than the clothing being shown properly. But maybe it is easier to get the kind of detailed photos with a non-complaining, never-tiering mannequin than a real model?

Helen, that's a good point. Some live models strike poses that are cute, but they don't display the clothing at all. Some poses are particularly annoying, because not only do they not display the clothing, they actually distort its lines. I'm thinking of really 'modern' poses, like with feet turn in and shoulders slumped way forward, shadowing and hiding the drape and fit of the bodice, or with the hips way off kilter, distorting the waistline and entire drape of the skirt. That's almost worse than a pretty pose that's merely hard to see, because it changes, not just hides, what the dress really looks like.

That said, I prefer clothes on either models or mannequins because, barring problems like I've mentioned above, they're the best way to tell how the dress hangs, where it clings, where it drapes, and so forth. Unless, as so many have mentioned, the dress is clipped back! Sometimes it's not bad (I'm usually in the size-8 range, so the differences oughtn't be too big for me to tell), but others are clearly distorted. Too-big models (there are a few ) don't help, either. They make me nervous about bidding, even if the measurements ought to be right and my figure is very different from the model's.

I actually don't mind a dress being laid out on the floor or a bed, as long as it's really laid out so the shape of the garment can be seen. Maybe it's because I sew, but many times I can tell how it'll look just from the shape of the pieces. Of course, the pictures need to be good; if the angle's too acute or the light is bad, it's too hard to tell.

The worst is a hanger. The hanger imposes a shape on the garment's shoulders that may not actually exist, and gravity makes everything hang and look like a sack.

Does an exceptionally pretty girl or gal make a difference on if or not you buy the item?

Mmm, I'm not sure. When I'm browsing dresses by breezing through thumbnails, the ones on mannequins or models catch my eye more easily. The face impacts only marginally if I actually open up the listing, and I don't think it has anything at to do with whether I buy. Heck, I appreciate even the Headless Ladies who model!

 

[ohairas]

Frankly I'm all about the garment, I couldn't care less what the model looks like! Many times they'll lop the head off of the model anyway, so you don't see their faces.

If I see a dress laid flat or on a hanger, I'll go for it; provided there are good measurements listed and I can still see details.

I would suggest getting two good dress forms. An extra small and a larger. This way you can adjust it to fit the garment size to show it off best. I would also list the height at which you have your form set.

Besides, mannies are a PITA to dress and undress. Dress forms are much easier!

This thread reminds me of another I want to start as soon as I load some pics!

Nikki