What is your ideal display mannequin?

I have been looking for years and years for a "perfect" mannequin. I have bought all kinds in the past and few if any ever really stack up well.

Some of the things I have learned:

• Action posed mannequins seem exciting but are often hard to dress or can put odd stresses on a costume.
• So many mannequins, especially males, have very effeminate poses that make them look terrible.
• Sculpted hair on a mannequin often makes it all but impossible to add a helmet.
• Painted faces can be incredibly distracting, or again, tend to be effeminate.
• You have to be very careful with a lot of mannequins that their feet aren't too close together or that their arms aren't too close to their sides, especially if they have a belt on that has any kind of pouches or additional items.
• All mannequin hands are horrible, and many have fingers that are all together, meaning you can't add gloves.
• Many many costumes don't work with the provided stands.
• Mannequin prices vary widely, for reasons that are often very unclear.

With that being said, I think I have found, for me, the best mannequin I am ever going to get.

I don't know the manufacturer, but it goes by GM23E and can be found on a number of sites including:

MALE MANNEQUIN EGGHEAD GLOSS WHITE GM23E

You can also find them on eBay and if you buy multiples, they will allow you to use your own FedEx account which is great for shipping.

Now, this isn't a perfect mannequin but here is why I love it.

• It has a very neutral pose which means 1) you can display several together and they look good without looking weird and 2) they show off a costume well.
• Legs are spread just wide enough that it is easy to get pants on without it looking like it is doing a split.
• Arms are relatively close to the sides without being too close.
• Overall physique is nice without being too big or too lean. Has a slightly imposing feel to it that gives most costumes just a little more of a heroic look.
• Head looks straight forward. So many other mannequins have the head at a slight angle.
• No distracting facial details!
• Helmets go on the head very easily.
• All white, which gives it a slight museum quality.
• SUPER CHEAP (less than $100 from some vendors)

With that being said it isn't perfect and there are a few issues:

• While fiberglass, build quality is mediocre, especially at leg joint.
• Paint is also mediocre at best.
• One of the hands does not have split fingers, meaning you have to cut the fingers apart on one hand to get gloves on. This is a tedious and annoying process.

As I said, if you search, you can find these for just under $100 each, which I think is a steal for a mannequin. I just ordered 4 and am ordering 3 more after that!

Anyway, I have shared my ideal mannequin with you. Do you have one you love? If so, share away!



Specs:

Height: 74 Inches
Shoulder to Shouldert: 22.4 Inches
Bust: 41.3 Inches
Waist : 30.7 Inches
Hips: 40.6 Inches.

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