Dress Forms as Decor

I remember when I saw the antique dress form in the corner of the shop on Smith Street in Brooklyn — her bodice was slightly ripped and she was dusty but I knew she would look perfect in my room next to the dresser.

The owner of the shop ( I forget the name and not even sure it is still there) sold her to me for $50 which was pricey for me back then as I had just moved to New York and barely making rent each month. I've never regretted the purchase and she has moved with me at least 5 times. When I met my husband, he named her Mathilde.

Dress forms, in all sizes and colors, are great as sculptural objects or for holding jewelry and scarves. Of course some people actually use them for their intended purpose, too! Lucky for Mathilde, her working days are over.

(Images: 1 Cornelia Adams 2 Paul Joseph Hopper 3 Sparrow King 4 David Giles 5 House to Home 6 Donna Griffith 7 Chloe Brown via Desire to Inspire 8 xojy 9 via Home Sweet Home 10 David Giles)

MORE DRESS FORMS
• Dress Form Decor
• Inspiration: A Vintage Sewing Room
• Clothes As Display

Comments (25)

Oh god no!

posted by Kit on September 29th 2009 at 1:02pm
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Oh I'm so happy to see this! I love to sew but I always shove my dress form in the closet when I'm done. I've been wanting to incorporate it into my decor but have not found a good way yet.

http://www.modernests.com

posted by MODERnestS on September 29th 2009 at 1:03pm
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Mmmm, thank you for the eye candy, Ms. King.

I'm still on the hunt for the perfect dress form. I know I'll find "her" someday, probably when I stop looking...

posted by shockthebourgeois on September 29th 2009 at 1:07pm
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I have a dress form named Mona!

She is near the entranceway and I rest my scarves and necklaces there. Sometimes a jacket, belts and bags. Always rotating...very convenient!

http://www.donkeehouse.com

posted by bitdot on September 29th 2009 at 1:08pm
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That bedspread in #2 is drool-worthy.

posted by quiltmaster on September 29th 2009 at 1:13pm
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love #5

posted by mlleErica on September 29th 2009 at 1:14pm
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I've always wanted a dress form — love all these inspiration forms. I've never had a big enough bedroom, and now I have a husband who I'm sure would find it to be too girlie. Darn. You definitely were smart to scoop one up.

posted by thehaystackneedle on September 29th 2009 at 1:39pm
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I have been wanting a dress form for about 2 years now! Looking for the right one for scarves, necklaces, etc. Love it.

posted by kosha on September 29th 2009 at 2:08pm
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I want a dress form so I can dress it with a kimono.

posted by Midwestdiva on September 29th 2009 at 2:08pm
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i love it. i like it waaay better next to a dresser than next to a bed. in a few of those sample photos, it looks like she'd be watching you in your sleep.

posted by NorNor on September 29th 2009 at 2:16pm
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that bedspread in #2 is from the cirrus collection from Anthropologie

posted by mreynolds323 on September 29th 2009 at 3:17pm
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I am IN LOVE with the second picture.

posted by lex2190 on September 29th 2009 at 3:23pm
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I have a dress form in my apartment. I hang interesting vintage pieces on it and use it to try out new outfits. I get many compliments on it!

posted by repressd on September 29th 2009 at 4:16pm
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I've always found dress forms creepy.

posted by aj on September 29th 2009 at 4:41pm
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Can someone tell me where to find a dresser like the one in the first picture? I've gotta have it!!!

posted by hacker2 on September 29th 2009 at 4:44pm
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A Prayer for Owen Meany much?

posted by Jose A on September 29th 2009 at 5:19pm
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Interesting how dress forms reflect the ideal body shape of the time. The oldest ones show the very thin waist with the curvaceous hips and bust as the victorians were then. The later ones are more slimmer and straighter in shape. They're pretty cool, though!

posted by junklover on September 29th 2009 at 6:17pm
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The number 2 bedding is not the cirrus! Anybody know it?

posted by heatherdazy on September 29th 2009 at 7:54pm
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I have my grandmothers from the thirties, made especially for her figure in the late 1930's, and it now stands in the corner of my living room, covered in layers of ethnic beads collected from my travels.
It's still in great condition, no stains or rips.
And reminds me each day of her. An ideal and most loved possession, sez me!

posted by athenazebra on September 29th 2009 at 7:55pm
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In Canada (& England?) they're called a Judy. Mine's wearing a hockey jersey, so is ideal in any room of the house.

posted by rapidtransitman on September 29th 2009 at 8:26pm
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Love them...but would imagine getting startled by it now and then...say, in the dark.

posted by muirwoods08 on September 29th 2009 at 9:12pm
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#2 looks like the rosette bedding at anthropologie, but they don't have that color

posted by Lady J on September 30th 2009 at 3:40pm
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The blue form in #2 is gorgeous. I want one of these quite badly (to dump sweaters on and display some vintage dresses) but I am afraid it would not be catproof.

posted by Cassis on September 30th 2009 at 4:42pm
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I've been on the prowl for an old one for ages! Such a lucky find, for such a good deal.

posted by fatalefemme on September 30th 2009 at 7:52pm
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My sister has one in a corner of her bedroom... what makes it creepy is that she has a mask on top of it....

So you can imagine how it feels when you walk in the room in the dark!!!!

posted by manu_pty on October 1st 2009 at 10:50am
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