I was in a Dick's Sporting Goods store earlier today, (buying cleats & soccer balls for the little ones), when I was taken aback by a mannequin for "Under Armor Athletic Apparel" that was positively MONSTROUS. It was like they took a 250-lb. bodybuilder and made a cast out of him. Even my kids took notice.

I told my wife that they were going too far with this "realistic" trend for mannequins (nowadays most have nipples and crotch-bulges...and yesterday I saw a wheelchair-bound mannequin!) - but she pointed out that FEMALE mannequins have always been unfairly portraying women with "runway-model" figures.

People today are IMO more self-conscious about their looks that in past eras. SO...does anyone else feel intimidated by these stupid plastic figures which look down at us with their washboard abs while we shop for loose-fitting Jeans?

What I find intimidating is even in outsize clothing stores, they still have supermodel mannequins modelling the clothes!!!! I want 2 get an idea of what certain clothes look like on people of my size not on supermodels!!!! And even in catalogues, adverts, flyers, etc. outsize fashions are always modelled by slim supermodels!! It rather defeats the purpose I think!!

Gold319 said:

[flame snipped - Tom]

Gold319 said:

We should just ELIMINATE them from the face of the EARTH!!!!

Only if they're nude.

MsSmartypants said:

You mean like these...


Or like these...?

PurpleJedi said:

oh i love those big dude ones at Dick's told my son i wanted to try to sneak one out and take it home... would make a killer piece of art all painted up and stuff





.
[Edited 8/30/05 5:35am]

Mannequins are disturbing- politically correct or not so politically correctz!

They are creepy, are bent in weirdarse positionz but no matter HOW they change them 2 make them -in need 4 a better termz- 2 'please'the public, they will always remain giant ceramic (or plastic or metal) doll- that look like lifeless corpses preserved and covered in some sort of *see above* and clothed in a window.

If anything- i like the models with no heads, no arms, no legs. They used them where i used 2 work- they showed off the design on a womans shape, without looking tacky and freaky (in a bad way).


Freaky Mannequin Editz.
[Edited 8/30/05 5:59am]

Well when they start following you.....then I'd be intimidated!!

I once told a mannequin in the Gap exactly what I thought of it.

here in minneapolis they've dismembered the mannequins. their heads, hands and feet are missing. they look like victims of a serial killer

moreover, they're often standing in front of displays that consist of huge photos of women's butts (not faces, torsos, or anything else, just butts) wearing the newest line in jeans.

creeps me out

i find them creepy...not only that...unrealistic....I love the article that i read awhile ago that 'claims' that they are making mannequins more life-like and a better representation of "real" womens bodies. right

they added some booty to them so they aren't so stick-like...but still not a true representation if you ask me.




even plus size mannequins aren't very plus



great way for soceity to contibute to our self esteem and bad body image

I think they should be representative of all shapes and sizes. I really cant get behind the "real" women label. We're all real, whatever size..


....
[Edited 8/30/05 10:52am]

Yes.

No.

I don't know.

I find there are many things to be more fearful of.

Ella's posts

Imago's avatars

Althom's pics

Nero's calls

LleeLlee said:

Thank you. Couldn't agree more. Too many people fall into the "real women have curves" bullshit as a way to boost their own egos, while putting down skinny chicks. We're all women, dammit.

meow85 said:

i agree. i don't know if LleeLees comment was directed at my post...i was just quoting the article i read hence the reason for the "quotes". i disagree with not only the use of "real women" in said article but also the fact that someone with a size 2 waist and 40inch hips is considered their version of a typical womanly figure. LleeLlee hit thge nail on the head...we come in all shapes and sizes...why don't mannequins reflect this. i want to see what the clothes i buying would look like on me (i guess thats why i try them on before buying!! ) not a stick figure.

LLLleeLLLlee said:

That's ridiculLous.

I think somebody hacked your account.

lillith said:

It's a quote I've seen many times and I'm not a fan of it. I know what the implication is, that it's a reflection of the reality of a lot of womens sizes as opposed ot the media propagated image of women. However, women are all sizes and whatever your size nobody is less "real" than any other.

...
[Edited 8/30/05 17:19pm]

2the9s said:

9s is that you? it must be.

LleeLlee said:

Why, sweety?

Must you bllock me?

2the9s said:

Dont sweety me, you imposter

LleeLlee said:

Did I hack your account again?

2the9s said:

The only thing you're ever gonna hack is my foot out of your ass.

It makes me even angrier when employees pin and tuck the clothing to make them fit perfectly on the mannequin and when you try them on in the dressing room they look awful.

Did anyone see the latest episode of "the girls next door"? (I'm ashamed I'm admitting this but whatever. ) Kendra kept (unknowingly) pointing out a male mannequin in the garden from afar and saying "Who is that hot guy??" It was hilarious.

DexMSR said:

I've seen this....creepy...Don't take his pants!!!

lillith said:

I'm fairly small. And when I say "fairly small", I mean I regularly have to shop in children's sections of stores.

On the bright side, if I go shopping without makeup and a baggy sweater on, I can tell the clerk I'm 12 and not pay any tax on my purchase.

My objection to mannequins is that they're too damn tall. I agree -mannequins shoudlbe made in all shapes and sizes. They could probably do without having nipples too.

LleeLlee said:

I like the mannequins at "Santee Alley" (Los Angeles) they all got ghetto bootys
very curvy mannequins....

other than that, mannequins are dull,and i ususally dont pay attention to them....