Slope piece is still used for minifigure dresses...?

[MattedBricks]

Hello all. As Lego has moved along over the years, I have noticed steady increase in pieces that are updated with new molds. One that surprises me that has not been updated is the 2x2x2 slope piece used to represent dresses, robes, etc. Am I the only one that thinks this should be updated with a new piece?  I have never liked the fact that using this piece makes a minifigure 1 plate taller than they should be, the arms can't sit flush against the torso (because it's wider than regular legs), the figure is static because the torso can't bend, they don't hold together well when played with, and dresses aren't square (well, you know what I mean).  Why has Lego not created a new dress mold or standard minifigure equivalent?  

I don't mean to make this into a gender issue... but could this be because the major focus for girls' play is now the Friends, Disney Princess, Elves, etc. lines with minidoll style figures?  My kids enjoy minidolls and minifigures, but I have noticed they like to use regular minifigure legs over these slope dresses. Just seems overdue for a new piece. Thoughts? 

[MAB]

There is a new dress piece that has been used for the Queen in the CMF range, but it is still quite rare. They could do with a new one that is shorter, and also has longer studs / pins on it, like a regular torso so the female minifigs don't keep falling apart at the waist.

[Agent Kallus]

16 minutes ago, MattedBricks said:

 Why has Lego not created a new dress mold or standard minifigure equivalent?  

I don't mean to make this into a gender issue... but I'm gonna try anyway.

They have made a few but admittedly none to replace the slope peice used.

 Lego dresses split into 4 catertgories

1) Standard slope part e.g(I've also seen 1x2 slope used for child figs)

2) printed onto legs e.g.(often used for skirts and shorter dresses)

3) specialised dress part (like a shorter slope with proper leg pins) e.g,(It'd be nice if they made a slightly shorter slope with leg pins)

4) a part that fits over the leg pins a) fabric( Though I like this one least as there is a open seam that pokes out)

                                                       b) ABS 

 

[fastlindyrick]

I'm sure that cost is a significant factor, as those 2x2x2 slopes are probably much cheaper to mold and print on than something curvier.  I often use a 2x2x1 slope brick topped with one or two 2x1 plates to get the right height, but it doesn't look as nice without printing.

[Littleworlds]

I find the slope piece a bit odd, since it make the minifigs taller than the legged-versions, but then again, they could just be wearing high heels.

I would be happy though if they would introduce a more flowing version, in the style of the pink skirt in the picture. The queen's dress doesn't really impresses me. Its just more unwieldy and limited in use.

[Aanchir]

Wonder if LEGO would ever consider using 22885 + 15068 (with a 3023 in between to fill the gap). That would solve the height difference, at least, though not the "arms at sides" problem or the lack of a hinge.

I suspect one reason LEGO hasn't introduced a new standard for gowns/dresses is that they release figures in dresses so rarely. In this year's sets, fewer than ten minifigures use the 2x2x2 dress slope. Additionally, I'm not convinced that a dress piece that fixes ALL the 2x2x2 dress slope's issues would even work for all the same applications. For instance, even if you add a leg hinge, making the figure able to sit up straight would require removing the sloped portion from the back, which would eliminate the long, flowing look. Depending on the design of the hinge, you might also wind up having to have the front of the lower legs set back from the front of the hips like on regular minifigure legs, which would give the appearance of a dress that clings tightly to the shape of the body, rather than a looser gown (it'd basically resemble regular minifigure legs except joined in the center).

[Robert8]

I would expect TLG to introduce a new (1 plate shorter) slope piece with pegs

Also, they need to update the printing in the slope piece by printing the sides

Edited December 9, 2017 by Robert8

[Giantorange]

I'm fine with the aesthetics of the standard slope piece.

If LEGO were going to make a custom that's simple to print on, I would be perfectly happy with a slightly shorter slope, with leg pins on the top to clutch properly with a minifig torso.

[Andy D]

On 12/9/2017 at 6:53 AM, Aanchir said:

Wonder if LEGO would ever consider using 22885 + 15068 (with a 3023 in between to fill the gap). That would solve the height difference, at least, though not the "arms at sides" problem or the lack of a hinge.

This is an excellent idea! IMHO it can make a better looking, more versitle skirt.  I need to remember this and start using it some of the time.  Thanks!

Andy D

[Legochaek]

I just hope that stick proper leg pins onto the 2x2x2 slope. I don't mind the height difference really; generally women are shorter than men so it's nice to be a bit taller for once 

Edited December 11, 2017 by Lego-fire
Spelling

[Captain Dee]

Interesting discussion. I have several hundred of the printed slope dress minifigs, mostly Castle, Pirates, and select CMFs:

...and as much as I like them, some valid points have certainly been raised regarding that 2x2x2 slope.

 

On 12/8/2017 at 11:45 AM, MattedBricks said:

I have never liked the fact that using this piece makes a minifigure 1 plate taller than they should be, the arms can't sit flush against the torso (because it's wider than regular legs), the figure is static because the torso can't bend, they don't hold together well when played with, and dresses aren't square (well, you know what I mean).  Why has Lego not created a new dress mold or standard minifigure equivalent?

You nailed it with this analysis. Regarding height, I much prefer the bodily proportions of slope-dress minifigs over minifigs on standard legs, but that only really works in an all-ladies scene like the one above; include minifigs with legs and it certainly looks odd. High heels doesn't explain it, either - the average woman wearing heels isn't noticeably taller than the average man. I can live without hinged hips, but the stud connection is just too fragile, period. Attach one firmly to a base, bump the torso, and she snaps in half. That's a weak design. I don't really mind the overall dress design, but a slightly smoother profile would be nice.

 

On 12/8/2017 at 12:16 PM, MAB said:

There is a new dress piece that has been used for the Queen in the CMF range, but it is still quite rare. They could do with a new one that is shorter, and also has longer studs / pins on it, like a regular torso so the female minifigs don't keep falling apart at the waist.

I love that new design, and got every copy from TRU when that CMF series was out. It's a good height, has that solid connection, is curvaceous - but I think it's too period-specific to see widespread use. A less-specific style in that height with those pins would be a big improvement for the standard dress piece.

 

On 12/8/2017 at 12:22 PM, Agent Kallus said:

They have made a few but admittedly none to replace the slope piece used.

 

Exactly. Printed shorts/skirts, fabric, and tutus don't really address the issue here, despite being nice designs.

 

On 12/9/2017 at 9:53 AM, Aanchir said:

Wonder if LEGO would ever consider using 22885 + 15068 (with a 3023 in between to fill the gap). That would solve the height difference, at least, though not the "arms at sides" problem or the lack of a hinge.

I suspect one reason LEGO hasn't introduced a new standard for gowns/dresses is that they release figures in dresses so rarely. In this year's sets, fewer than ten minifigures use the 2x2x2 dress slope. Additionally, I'm not convinced that a dress piece that fixes ALL the 2x2x2 dress slope's issues would even work for all the same applications. For instance, even if you add a leg hinge, making the figure able to sit up straight would require removing the sloped portion from the back, which would eliminate the long, flowing look. Depending on the design of the hinge, you might also wind up having to have the front of the lower legs set back from the front of the hips like on regular minifigure legs, which would give the appearance of a dress that clings tightly to the shape of the body, rather than a looser gown (it'd basically resemble regular minifigure legs except joined in the center).

Neat idea for a brick-built dress design. I might try it.

And you're right about not being able to solve all the issues easily. Hinging any form of a slope would allow them to bend forward but not really sit down unless the slope was on the front, which would look odd...

 

On 12/9/2017 at 12:07 PM, Robert8 said:

I would expect TLG to introduce a new (1 plate shorter) slope piece with pegs

Also, they need to update the printing in the slope piece by printing the sides

Yes to a shorter slope with pegs. And side and back printing would be great! 

[fastlindyrick]

54 minutes ago, Captain Dee said:

Hinging any form of a slope would allow them to bend forward but not really sit down unless the slope was on the front, which would look odd...

I often use a 47457 (maybe with a 2x2 plate underneath) when I need a skirt in sitting position.

[Mikuri]

The height difference and the poor connection bugs me. A hinge would be appreciated too. But then I don't dislike what they done with simply printing the skirt on cheerleaders for exemple. I tend to dislike fabrics, but I like the way Batwoman with her pink dress is. Even N-POP Girl is pretty cool with the tutu.

[Captain Dee]

6 hours ago, fastlindyrick said:

I often use a 47457 (maybe with a 2x2 plate underneath) when I need a skirt in sitting position.

Hmm, neat idea. For seating on furniture I like to use the plain old curved slope bricks as seen below, lower left. Nothing fancy, but it works, minus the printing.

3 hours ago, Mikuri said:

The height difference and the poor connection bugs me. A hinge would be appreciated too. But then I don't dislike what they done with simply printing the skirt on cheerleaders for exemple. I tend to dislike fabrics, but I like the way Batwoman with her pink dress is. Even N-POP Girl is pretty cool with the tutu.

They've definitely made leaps and strides with overall minifig designs, like the leg printing and fabrics and stuff (and CMFs in particular). Maybe they'll update the ol' slope eventually. But as Aanchir said, few of them are released yearly, so... I'm not getting my hopes up!

[MAB]

 

A new skirt piece is finally coming.

[Littleworlds]

48 minutes ago, MAB said:

 

A new skirt piece is finally coming.

Thats good news! Maybe not quite as flowing looking as I hoped it would be, but the rounded slope certainly has more dynamic to it than the old pieces. 

[x105Black]

6 hours ago, MAB said:

 

A new skirt piece is finally coming.

Source?

[Robert8]

8 hours ago, MAB said:

 

A new skirt piece is finally coming.

Where is that from?

[strangely]

34 minutes ago, Robert8 said:

Where is that from?

It's from one of the summer Star Wars battlepacks. Most of the summer stuff leaked out. That piece is featured in the new Millenium Falcon as well.

[Maple]

That piece still isn't great. Plus why release a new dress piece right after making a new wedding set? LEGO should just make a completely new piece and call it a day. One that is stil rather flat to be printed on, but in case it's plain have a little bit rounded and a fancy base. That new piece barely looks different.

 

[MAB]

I don't think it is too bad, it needs to be fairly plain in design to fit in with the more general minifigure design (like the legs are). I expect them to be printable, at least on the front. Hopefully the size issue is addressed (it appears to be). Obviously we won't know about the pins until we see the part in isolation, but I hope they have addressed that issue too.

It is from the new SW battlepack with Barriss Offee.

[strangely]

Based on the various leaked images of this part they are able to print on both the front and back. The connection point to the torso does appear to be standard minifigure leg pins.

[x105Black]

From what I can see in that image, it looks as if the piece comes forward a bit, making the minifigure stand more to the middle of the square footprint.  It could just be the angle of the torso throwing me off.  I wonder how that will actually work.

Saw some new images that confirmed this is not the case.

Also, it looks like this piece will appear in the Han Solo set with a character named "Moloch."  Possibly also "Quay Tolsite."  It's a nice looking piece.

Edited January 10, 2018 by x105Black

[Artanis I]

New part is only 20 or 30 years overdue... yet every year a big bang theme gets heaps of 1 use weapons or other unnecessary new moulded parts.

The mind boggles

[FunWithBricks]

On 1/30/2018 at 5:42 AM, Artanis I said:

New part is only 20 or 30 years overdue... yet every year a big bang theme gets heaps of 1 use weapons or other unnecessary new moulded parts.

The mind boggles

 spot on. It's actually a wee bit sad to think about it in this context. 

Aanchir, fastlindyrick, Captain Dee, thanks for sharing those marvels! 

Aanchir, I can totally imagine that as a part of a minifigure, making the minifigure assembly even more fun.