Mannequin to display costume

[RobbW]

So, I'm currently searching for a mannequin to store/display my Jack costume once I have everything put together. Originally, I was thinking I need a full-body male mannequin with a head so that I can display the entire costume with wig and all the effects. While I think that would look awesome, now I'm wondering if it would be too much effort and hassle to dress and undress the mannequin, what with the nonbending arms and legs and such. Now I'm wondering if I'd be better off with one of those dress forms that don't have arms and legs, but also don't have a head (so no wig display). Can anyone who currently uses a mannequin to store/display their costume chime in on what they use and what they would recommend? Thanks.

[RobbW]

I was really hoping to find a full-body mannequin even if it is slightly more difficult to dress. However, every standing mannequin I see is supported by a metal rod that either goes through the foot or into the back of the calf. I'm not about to put holes in my boots just so I can display the costume. Now I'm considering one of those 3/4 torsos, but most of those don't have heads, and the ones that do are much more expensive. So, I'd have to have a separate display for the wig and hat.

[Capn_Jack_Savvy]

Craigslist in your area is the best.  I found my two mannequins (girl and boy) without heads for only $125.00.  The guy selling them closed his shop and was trying to get rid of them.  Best investment ever.

[RobbW]

Yeah, I spent the past 5-6 days scouring Craigs List and other local sources to no avail. I resigned myself to just buy one online. However, the more I searched for a decent mannequin for not too many doubloons, the more I realized that a traditional mannequin would probably present some problems. My biggest issue was simply how the heck do you dress the thing in full Jack regalia? Most mannequins arms can rotate at the shoulders, but only the very expensive ones have bendable arms. How do you get the shirt, waistcoat, and frock coat on without ripping off an arm or tearing a seam in the clothing?

In the end, I settled on a male dress form instead of a mannequin. It will be easier to dress and undress the form whenever I need to wear the costume. Plus, it should be easier to keep the clothing on and in place. Most of the mannequins were made of plastic or fiberglass with smooth surfaces. I can see it being difficult to keep the clothing in place where you want it and not slipping/sliding all over the place. The dress form is pinnable, and I can pin the clothes in place if need be.

[Capn_Jack_Savvy]

The more joints the more expensive the mannequin will be. I have to pull the arms out and just slide them into the sleeves and re-attach them. Pretty easy once you get used to it. I don't have room to display my costumes in the house so the mannequins are just in the garage. I got them to display my costumes when I attend conferences or Prop Parties.

I wish they had heads but some Jack here was supposedly working on a Depp head that could be attached.

[thr33.s3v3n]

http://www.ebay.com/itm/Fiberglass-White-Abstract-Egg-Head-Mannequin-Display-Dress-Form-MZ-WEN5EG-/110957859827?pt=LH_DefaultDomain_0&hash=item19d59a93f3

[RobbW]

I wanted a neater way to store my costume rather than shoved in the back of the closet.  Plus, I thought it would be really cool to have the whole costume set up and on display when not in use.  I plan to put it in the basement where I have the home theater.  I think it would make watching POTC films a little more immersive if you can look over and see Jack in the corner.  Better than a boring ol' movie poster, eh?! The dress form I got does not have a head either.  In fact, no arms or legs either.  It's basically just the torso on a stand.  But I have a couple Styrofoam heads on the way that I plan to pain up like Jack's face and jimmy rig it to the dress form.  I got two of the heads because I'm darn near certain I'll screw the first one up!

[Capn_Jack_Savvy]

http://www.ebay.com/itm/Fiberglass-White-Abstract-Egg-Head-Mannequin-Display-Dress-Form-MZ-WEN5EG-/110957859827?pt=LH_DefaultDomain_0&hash=item19d59a93f3

Nice mannequin but shipping is the same price! Better to look for a "local pick up" for items this large and expensive. 

[RobbW]

Yep,shipping! That was the other problem I was having with full mannequins. It was almost as much as the mannequin itself! Luckily, I found the men's suit form at a warehouse store within the same state. So shipping was minimal.

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