Mannequin Terminology

ANKLE ROD: Fitting between base and ankle, which supports the mannequin in a standing position.

ARMATURE: The metal "skeleton" that allows foam- or fabric-covered  flexible mannequins to bend; also the frame which a mannequin is sculpted over.

ARTICULATED MANNEQUINS: Mannequins with articulated or movable joints (elbows, wrists, fingers, neck, knees, hips, ankles) which can be turned to create different poses. Joints may be metal or wood with wing-nut style tighteners.

BASE FLANGE: A tubular part of the base fixture that connects the base with a support rod.

BIKINI CUT: Leg is detachable high on the thigh, allowing swimwear or lingerie to hide the joint. (Joint is otherwise usually about 1/3 of the way down the thigh.)

BLOUSE FORM: A headless, armless female upper torso form which ends just below the waistline. May be designed for tabletops, walls or used on a stand.

BODY TRUNK: Torso form which starts above the waistline and continues to just below the knees. See: Torso Form, Trunk Form.

BRA FORM: A headless and armless bust form, with or without shoulders, which ends just below the bust line.

BRASELETTE FORM: A bra form that ends at the hips rather than below the bust line.

BUTT FITTING: A square metal hollow tube with a set screw that is set into the mannequin's butt or upper thigh. It receives the butt rod which angles up from the metal, glass or plastic mannequin base and holds the mannequin erect.

BUTT ROD: See: Butt Fitting

CALF ROD: The short, upright bar that extends up from the base and inserts into the fitting above the mannequin's ankle. See: Foot Spike.

COAT FORM: A headless, usually armless, flat-fronted male form which ends above the hips.

CUSTOM MANNEQUIN: A mannequin that is sculpted to fill a particular customer's needs.

DRESS FORM: A headless, armless and legless form which goes from the neck to below the hips. It is often made of papier-mâché and covered in linen, jersey or velvet. There is usually a fitting on the bottom of the form to receive a rod which may be attached to a base.

DRESSMAKER FORM: A dress form which can be customized for specific bust, waist and hip measurements for designing or fitting garments.

DUMMY: Most commonly the upholstered dressmaker torso form.

EGG HEAD: An abstract head resembling an egg, with no defined features. It may be used as a millinery head or a wig stand, or be the head of an abstract mannequin.

ETHNIC MANNEQUIN: A mannequin which is realistically portrayed with the skin tone and physical characteristics of a particular ethnic group.

FLEX ARMS: May be metal rods joined with swivel sockets at the shoulder and elbow, plastic joints, wooden jointed arms or other material. The arms "flex", or bend, into various positions.

FOOT BRACKET: Usually made of a clear plastic, a sandal-strap-like device that is attached to a flange or base and will hold a leg form upright.

FOOT SPIKE: The short metal rod extending from the base and into the bottom of a mannequin's foot. It holds the mannequin upright, but can interfere with the use of hosiery. See: Ankle rod.

FORM: A three-dimensional, but not necessarily detailed, representation of a part of the body. See: Torso Form, Bra Form, Coat Form, Dress Form, Blouse Form.

FULLER FIGURE:  Sculpted with larger proportions than the average mannequin, usually a size 12. Also Plus-Size Mannequin.

GIRDLE FORM: A three-dimensional form that extends from above the waist to the knees and is used to display panties, girdles and swimwear.

GLASS BASE PLATE: A heavy piece of glass, equipped with a metal plate or flange and extending rod, which is used to support a mannequin. The base plate is usually about 18" across, and round or square.

GLASS EYES: Artificial, realistic eyes which can be positioned, to appear to make eye contact with other mannequins in a grouping.

GLOVE HAND: A replacement "hand" that makes removal of gloves easier.

GROUPING: Two or more mannequins which are designed or positioned "together."

HEADLESS MANNEQUIN: A complete, life-like mannequin which ends at the neck. The neck may be flat cut, or it may end in a decorative flourish.

JOINTED ARM: An articulated arm that can be positioned, allowing the mannequin to "do" many things, such as hold up a cell phone, lead a dog or hold a baby mannequin. May be wooden, fiberglass or plastic.

JUNIOR: A mannequin size, rather than an age. Wears size 7 dress and averages about 5' 8" tall.

JUNIOR PETITE: A special size and type of mannequin which, depending upon the manufacturer, will wear a size 5 or 7 and average about 5' 5".

MAKEUP: Body and facial coloring.

MANNEQUIN, MANIKIN: A three-dimensional representation of the human form, often stylized, to display clothing.

METAL BASE: Usually round, a flat base which holds the butt or ankle rod. See: Butt Rod, Base Flange.

MILLINERY HEAD: Head or form used in the design and creation of hats.

MISSY or MISS: A female mannequin that wears a size 8 and varies in height from 5' 8" to 6' tall.

NECK BLOCK or NECK CAP: The cap that finishes the neck top on a headless mannequin. Usually finished in chrome or brass, and sometimes topped with a finial.

PADDLE HAND: A tapered hand lacking detail, that fits into a pocket and presents a smooth outline of a hand.

PANTS FORM: A three-dimensional male or female form which starts at the waistline and ends at the feet. See: Slack Form.

PANTY FORM:  See: Girdle Form.

PANTYHOSE FORM: Usually a lightweight, three-dimensional form, from waist to toes. May be used upright or upside down.

PEARLESCENT or PEARLIZED FINISH: An opalescent finish on a mannequin or form.

PETITE: A mannequin created to display apparel for the small, slight woman.

PLEXIGLASS BASE: Heavy-weight, heavy-duty, non-breakable plastic base. See: Glass Base Plate.

POCKET HAND: See: Paddle hand.

PORCELAIN FINISH: Usually a shiny, white enamel finish, but may also refer to other lacquer finishes.

PORTRAIT FINISH: A matte, lightly stippled paint texture, which appears porous, and thus more realistic.

POSE: Position of a mannequin or form. Placement of legs and arms, tilt of head and other details provide information about the mannequin's "attitude."

PRE-TEEN: The ten-to-twelve-year-old mannequin, proportioned to wear size 8 to 10.

REALISTIC MANNEQUIN: A full-round sculpted form that resembles a particular type and size woman, man or child in face, pose and proportions. Not abstract.

RIGGING or RIG: Dressing of a mannequin or form, and padding it to make the garment look its best.

SEMI-ABSTRACT MANNEQUIN: An abstract or highly stylized mannequin which may suggest either in the sculpting or the artwork a face or semblance to a particular type of individual. Sometimes a mannequin with sculptured features but no make-up or tonal qualities.

SEMI·REALISTIC MANNEQUIN: A fairly realistic sculpted mannequin with more stylized facial features, or lack or realism in the makeup. Wigs may be replaced by painted hair styles, or the hair may be sculpted.

SHELL FORM: A half-round form. Usually a lightweight plastic body form with a fully dimensional front, but hollow back for one-sided merchandise presentation.

SHIRT FORM: The male version of the blouse form. See: Blouse Form.

SLACK FORM: A pair of legs and hips that end at the waist or slightly above. See: Pants Form.

SLEEVE PADS: Flattened, sausage-shaped pads used to fill the sleeves of coats and jackets shown on armless forms.

STOCKING FORMS: Available in assorted heights, depending on the merchandise to be displayed; thigh-high, knee-high or calf-high. Usually shown with the instep arched and the weight on the ball of the foot.

SUPPORT ROD: See: Ankle Rod, Butt Rod, Foot Spike.

TAILOR'S FORM: See: Dressmaker form.

THREE QUARTER FORM: A dimensional form or mannequin, with head, arms and separated legs, that ends at the knee or just below.

THREE QUARTER MANNEQUIN: See: Three Quarter Form.

TORSO:  A full round, headless and armless body form that ends just above the knees and is used for showing bathing suits, lingerie and sportswear. It differs from the usual dress form in that the body line is more animated and the legs are parted and defined.

TORSO FORM: See: Torso

T·ROD: An upside-down, T-shaped metal device. The upright end secures into the butt fitting of the mannequin while the flat, horizontal bar rests on the ground and serves as an easel base for the mannequin.

TRUNK FORM: A masculine body part that extends from above the waistline to the knees or slightly below for showing shorts, swim trunks and briefs.

WIG FOUNDATION: Skull cap to which the fibers of a wig are attached. The foundation fits onto the mannequin head and keeps the wig in place.

WIGS: Detachable hair pieces used on bald mannequins. They are usually made of realistic synthetic fibers that can be arranged into life-like hair styles, and may be hard-caps, or "soft" like wigs for people.