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Dolls That Look Like Real Women

Some dolls, like the classic "Barbie" dolls, are meant to vaguely resemble real women. However, these dolls often present an idealized form, sometimes resulting in unrealistic body sizes or appearances. Dolls made to look like "real women" may not represent the average-sized woman. Mannequins, however, more closely resemble the body of an average woman so that retailers can realistically display the latest fashion trends.

Replicas
- Replica dolls are modeled after existing people. Dollmakers often recreate a celebrity's likeness to appeal to fans. Some such dolls, such as those modeled after the characters in the classic television series "I Love Lucy," have become collector's items. Actors, actresses, and singers often sign contracts with companies to release dolls with their likenesses. Replicas of performers such as Britney Spears and Miley Cyrus can be found on shelves of many retail stores.
Barbie
- Barbie dolls have long been a favorite among children and collectors. Though Barbie's dimensions aren't realistic, she was modeled to resemble the body of a woman. Mostly anatomically correct, Barbie comes with outfits that largely emphasize her bust. If Barbie was a real woman, she wouldn't contain enough body mass to support the function of her organs, according to an article published by "The Daily Collegian," the newspaper of Penn State. Barbie dolls have been criticized for promoting an unrealistic body type, which, according to the Daily Collegian, has been suspected to foster body image issues among women and girls.
Self Image Dolls
- Some companies create custom replica dolls, but the price tag can get expensive. Generally, companies will create a doll that looks like you that will stand somewhere between 12 and 18 inches. Companies such as My Twinn create dolls using a buyer's answers to a series of superficial questions, such as eye and hair color, and a picture submission. These dolls cost around $150 as of 2011, and the price can fluctuate depending on accessories and clothing options. Individual artists or custom doll makers may be willing to create a life-size replica, but the cost could be especially large for such custom work.
Mannequins
- Mannequins, often used in retail clothing stores to display the latest fashions, are life-size dolls meant to resemble men and women. Mannequins usually don't have unique facial features but they are approximately the size of an average human. Most mannequins are somewhat anatomically correct so that they can fill out clothing somewhat accurately. Though they were modeled after humans, these likenesses contain little more than the anatomical basics.

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