Mannequins VS Models: Choosing Your Muse For Your Vintage Wares

You name it, we've tried it. Product photography, that is.

Back in our wee baby days our products were worn by a "model" (by model, we mean AV owner, Rodellee Marie), shot against a plain cream colored wall. Then we decided to give a dress form a try. Not satisfied with how the garments fit this particular dress form, we moved back to photographing on live models. Then we gave a full mannequin a try, arms, head, and wig all included! Unfortunately, the 5'10 plastic form gave us the creeps, so we went back to models. After awhile we decided to try "ghost mannequinns" when clothes appear to be on a form but one is not visible. (There are still some examples in the shop!) Then back to models, then hung on hangers, then laid flat, then back to dress forms where we're at right now. *PHEW*

See what we mean by "you name it, we've tried it"?

First off, there are pros and cons to both choices and when it comes down to it, what matters is really what YOUR preference is.

At Adorevintage we choose to photograph our clothing on a vintage dress form so that visitors to the site can get an accurate view of how the garment will fit. We know what you're thinking, A MODEL can do that, and probably better!

While we don't disagree that a live model could show off a garment quite well, a live model can also distract from the garment and misrepresent the clothing. Let's say you're looking at a particularly adorable vintage dress, you just love how flattering the hemline is. But perhaps the model wearing it is 5'9 and a size 2 and while it may look fantastic on her, you might be disappointed it doesn't look quite as what you expected on you. Or perhaps the model has contorted her body a certain way to give a vintage dress shape and lines it doesn't actually have.

See where we're going with this?

A dress form consistently has the same measurements and is modeled after an average proportionate women's figure. For the most part women have smaller middles than busts and hips, agreed? When we see garments on a dress form we notice the clothes first. When a garment is on a model, most of the time we notice the model, then the clothes. And if you're selling clothes, it's going to be to be benificial for your potential clients to notice your wares first.

Back to models. The right model can really bring your vintage garment to life. The right model can sell your vintage wares like hot cakes. The right model can make you want something because she's done her job of making the clothing as appealing and wonderful as possible. But note our use of "the RIGHT model." If you're going to use a live model to show off your wares, we recommend choosing a model that fits your vintage aesthetic. For instance, if you sell pin-up style vintage clothing you probably want to hire a model that has classic looks and has a more hourglass figure to best accentuate the curves of a dress.

There are some things to consider when making your decision to shoot on mannequins or models. Unless you have a group of girlfriends that are all model proportioned and will work for free (lucky you), you have to keep in mind the time and costs it takes to get the right models. This can be time consuming and can require a lot of trial and error until you find that one girl you can call your muse. This predicament can apply to a dress form as well. We've gone through our fair share of dress forms until we've finally found one we were happy with. The negative side of a dress form is that it is ONE size so if we find garments too small that won't fit, a second form is required.

As previously mentioned, when it comes down to it, what matters is what your preference is and which medium best fits your vintage clothing shop's look and feel. We highly recommend experimenting different styles until you find one that just clicks. We certainly went through our fair share of trial and error!

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