Re: Do any of you sleep with your mannequins?
Posted: Fri Dec 22, 2017 12:03 am
I think I'm well qualified to chime in on this topic, because I live with multiple mannequins made of several different materials, and have shared a bed with all of them at least once. Personally, I find it very comforting to lie and cuddle with them, but that's because I find their non-humanity, embodied in their coldness and hardness, uniquely appealing. Even amongst humans, I think the harder, bonier individuals are more enjoyable to hug than the soft and fleshy ones. But if you're the sort who needs warmth and softness from a cuddle buddy, mannequins may not be a good choice for you.
If you do decide you want to try sharing your bed with them, a good rule to keep in mind is that a mannequin's suitability for cuddling is inversely proportionate to its human realism. This concept is easier to illustrate with pictures, so allow me to share some: This is 31617, a foam and cloth mannequin. His type ranks lowest on the human realism scale, but I think it's also the most amenable to being cuddled, and especially slept with for long periods of time. The cloth surface isn't nearly as cold or hard as the other types, it has a fair amount of give when hugged, and as the 2nd-lightest weight type, it's not especially prone to leaving you sore if you fall asleep in the wrong position. The fingers are also pose-able, so this is the best type for those of us who enjoy falling asleep holding hands. You have to be very careful not to soil or dent this type of mannequin, however, because any impressions you make from mishandling it will become permanent dents, and the surface is very difficult to clean. This is 94712, a plastic mannequin. She's a big step up in realism, but also in hardness and coldness. The plastic is thin and slightly pliable, so she does give a bit when I hug her, the same way the cloth mannequins can do. This is the lightest weight type and also the cheapest and easiest to clean, so I would recommend it as a starting point if you're just starting to get into mannequins. This is 217, a high-durability plastic mannequin. This material feels much more solid than the standard plastic, and lacks the "give" that the cheaper models have, so hugging her isn't terribly pleasant unless she's wearing thick clothes to provide some cushion. She also becomes much colder after exposure to low temperatures than the previous 2 types. This type is a significant step up in weight as well. On the plus side, her hands are much more realistic and delicate than those of the previous types, so this type might appeal to those who consider hands to be an important feature. This is 2608, a fibreglass mannequin. Fibreglass is the sturdiest, most solid-feeling of all, so hugging this guy is essentially like snuggling a rock. His type is the coldest and the heaviest of all. Fibreglass mannequins are also more delicate than the plastic types; they can crack and scratch when dropped or scraped, so you have to handle them carefully when you dress and move them. Personally, I would recommend this type as eye candy rather than cuddle buddy material.
Another thing to keep in mind is the pose. If you want a mannequin for cuddling, simpler is better. Standing straight, with arms down at the sides and legs together, is the easiest to lie beside without being uncomfortable. Slanting shoulders like 217 has will make it very difficult to find a comfortable lying position (though interestingly, she is the most comfortable to sit beside on the sofa). And bent arm or leg poses like 2608's make it more difficult to stabilise the mannequin's parts as it's lying down, and tend to get in the way when you're trying to hug it. Personally, I would recommend getting one without a detachable leg as well, if you can. The detachable leg doesn't really provide that much ease of dressing, and comes at the cost of a leg that can easily detach from the body when the mannequin is lying down, unless you keep it taped or glued in place.
You also asked about sleeping positions. Well, this is pretty much the only one you can use with mannequins: I think it's also nice to put a 2nd one behind me, to support my back. The hard types are actually very helpful for supporting and easing the pain of a sore back.
If you do decide you want to try sharing your bed with them, a good rule to keep in mind is that a mannequin's suitability for cuddling is inversely proportionate to its human realism. This concept is easier to illustrate with pictures, so allow me to share some: This is 31617, a foam and cloth mannequin. His type ranks lowest on the human realism scale, but I think it's also the most amenable to being cuddled, and especially slept with for long periods of time. The cloth surface isn't nearly as cold or hard as the other types, it has a fair amount of give when hugged, and as the 2nd-lightest weight type, it's not especially prone to leaving you sore if you fall asleep in the wrong position. The fingers are also pose-able, so this is the best type for those of us who enjoy falling asleep holding hands. You have to be very careful not to soil or dent this type of mannequin, however, because any impressions you make from mishandling it will become permanent dents, and the surface is very difficult to clean. This is 94712, a plastic mannequin. She's a big step up in realism, but also in hardness and coldness. The plastic is thin and slightly pliable, so she does give a bit when I hug her, the same way the cloth mannequins can do. This is the lightest weight type and also the cheapest and easiest to clean, so I would recommend it as a starting point if you're just starting to get into mannequins. This is 217, a high-durability plastic mannequin. This material feels much more solid than the standard plastic, and lacks the "give" that the cheaper models have, so hugging her isn't terribly pleasant unless she's wearing thick clothes to provide some cushion. She also becomes much colder after exposure to low temperatures than the previous 2 types. This type is a significant step up in weight as well. On the plus side, her hands are much more realistic and delicate than those of the previous types, so this type might appeal to those who consider hands to be an important feature. This is 2608, a fibreglass mannequin. Fibreglass is the sturdiest, most solid-feeling of all, so hugging this guy is essentially like snuggling a rock. His type is the coldest and the heaviest of all. Fibreglass mannequins are also more delicate than the plastic types; they can crack and scratch when dropped or scraped, so you have to handle them carefully when you dress and move them. Personally, I would recommend this type as eye candy rather than cuddle buddy material.
Another thing to keep in mind is the pose. If you want a mannequin for cuddling, simpler is better. Standing straight, with arms down at the sides and legs together, is the easiest to lie beside without being uncomfortable. Slanting shoulders like 217 has will make it very difficult to find a comfortable lying position (though interestingly, she is the most comfortable to sit beside on the sofa). And bent arm or leg poses like 2608's make it more difficult to stabilise the mannequin's parts as it's lying down, and tend to get in the way when you're trying to hug it. Personally, I would recommend getting one without a detachable leg as well, if you can. The detachable leg doesn't really provide that much ease of dressing, and comes at the cost of a leg that can easily detach from the body when the mannequin is lying down, unless you keep it taped or glued in place.
You also asked about sleeping positions. Well, this is pretty much the only one you can use with mannequins: I think it's also nice to put a 2nd one behind me, to support my back. The hard types are actually very helpful for supporting and easing the pain of a sore back.