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Some 1910s Clothing for my Curvy B&B Printable Paper Dolls

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Today’s Printable Paper Doll Inspirations: This Fashion Plate form 1915

A paper doll outfit based on 1910s clothing, specifically 1915. Available to print in color or black and white.

A paper doll outfit based on 1910s clothing, specifically 1915. Available to print and color for free.

There are periods of fashion I am naturally attracted too like the 1920s and 1870s, but others that I am learning to apperciate more. One of these is 1910s clothing.

1910s clothing can be broken down into two major eras. The early part of the decade has a column silhouette, like this dress from 1912. After the beginning of World War I in 1914, the skirts begin to flare out and shorten. The silhouette becomes much freer. Today’s paper doll outfit is from 1915 and falls into this flared skirt era. Other examples of this “look” include this fashion plate from 1916, this dress or this suit.

One thing I love about 1910s clothing is the profusion of really absurd looking hats, like today’s hat from this fashion plate. I mean, really? I would say that surely no one wore a hat like that, but check out this example and this example from the Met.

See? Absurd hats abound in the 1910s. Does anyone but me kinda wish we still wore hats? Let me know in a comment.

Clearly, I need to spend more time in this era. There’s some fun stuff there.

One quick historical note: No one wore socks like the ones I drew here in 1910, but I didn’t want do deal will bare legs (which would  have been a scandal in 1910) and I didn’t want to have draw full on stockings or attach the shoes to the dress, so this was my solution. Not perfect from a historical accuracy point of view, but there you have it.

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Need to get a Bodacious & Buxom paper doll to wear these fabulous clothes? Pick one out here.

The Victorian Inspired Ballgown for Marisole Monday & Friend’s Printable Paper Dolls

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Today’s Printable Paper Doll Inspirations: A fashion plate I totally can’t find now
A printable paper doll ball gown inspired by the Victorian era. Free to print in color or black and white.

A printable paper doll ball gown coloring page inspired by the Victorian era. Free to print from paperthinpersonas.com

So, this is like research rule 1: Write Down Your Sources.

And normally, I am super diligent about recording everything I use in Pinterest, so I can find it again when it comes time to write one of these fascinating blog posts.

This time though? So much of the not so much. I have a distinct recollection of look at a fashion plate which I think was late 1860s (because that’s when waists when up and skirts got all conical), but now for the life of me I can’t find the plate that was my inspiration.

Clearly, I am a bad librarian.

Needless to say, I hope I can distract y’all from my poor research habits by pointing out: Hey, there’s a pretty ballgown over there.

The truth is that I never meant for this to be a historical piece. It was part of a series of dresses in this silhouette that I designed back when I was doing the same theme for a whole week. I ended up just coloring two of them and you’ll see this one today and next Friday there will be a matching winter walking costume.

While the dress was inspired by a fashion plate from the late 1860s (I think), it looks much more 1820s to me, since I narrowed the skirt quite a bit.

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There’s still my Reader2017 coupon running in the Etsy store good for 25% off.

Need a Marisole Monday & Friends Lady Paper Doll to wear today’s outfit? Pick One Out Here. 

The Poppets & Their Contemporary Applique Looks

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Today’s Printable Paper Doll Inspirations: Polka-dot socks and Applique
A modern kids clothing paper doll outfit in color or black and white. Part of the Poppets series, it can be worn by any of the Poppets paper dolls. From paperthinpersonas.com.

A modern kids clothing paper doll outfit in color or black and white. Part of the Poppets series, it can be worn by any of the Poppets paper dolls. From paperthinpersonas.com.

One trend I have noticed in my children’s clothing research is a new appreciation for handwork like embroidery and applique. I love applique and so that was the source of inspiration for today’s contemporary Poppet outfit. Obviously, I designed the skirt first and then put together some other pieces to go with it.

Even as a grown up, I love the idea of a set of pieces of clothing that can be mixed and matched into different outfits. Heck, that’s how I shop for my own work clothing.

The trimming on the pants was added after I felt like they needed something a little extra. Sometimes, I find drawing the same basic thing over and over again a little dull. Pants are pretty much just pants, a lot of the time.

I say this as the girl who usually buys two pairs when I find a style that fits, but then I think my own dress choices don’t have to impact my artistic paper doll dress choices. 🙂

Paper Thin Personas shop on Etsy  has a coupon called: READER2017 for the blog readers. It’s good for 25% off an order of 4.00 or more through the end of March.

Or if you’d like to support the blog directly, then donate a little each month and  become a Patron. There’s a behind the scenes blog and early paper doll previews.

Plus, if you haven’t checked it out yet there is also a new blog facebook page where I am sharing stuff from the Archives, as well as announcing new posts when they are posted.

I think that’s all my general announcements for the moment. 🙂

Need a paper doll to wear today’s outfit? Pick a Poppet Paper Doll Here.

Marisole Monday in a Women’s 1920s Golf Clothes

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Today’s Printable Paper Doll Inspirations: Golfing Outfits from the 1920s

Women's 1920s golf clothes for my Marisole Monday & Friend's paper doll series in full color to print from paperhinpersonas.com.

Women's 1920s golf clothes for my Marisole Monday & Friend's paper doll series in black and white.

I can’t tell you how many times my father has dropped hints that I should draw some golf clothing. He’s a fan of the sport. So, today I am pleased to present some 1920s historical clothing attire for the Marisole Monday & Freind’s paper dolls.

The history of women’s sports attire has always fascinated me. By the 1920s, from which today’s paper doll outfit hails, women were participating in many different team and individual sports including basketball, tennis, archery, fencing, and, of course, golf. Golf was pretty popular in the 1920s and women’s 1920s golf clothes were being designed by big names like this golf outfit by Worth.

Most women’s golf outfits have skirts, but there were also trousers options, like the ones shown in this article about golf in advertisements. I based today’s outfit off illustrations from my two favorite 1920s fashion history books, Everyday Fashions of the Twenties: As Pictured in Sears and Other Catalogs and 1920s Fashions from B. Altman & Company, both of which are from Dover publications and are excellent resources on 1920s clothing. Sears was a more affordable company while B. Altman was much more fashionable and expensive.

Catalogs offer such a great window into what people could purchase in the past.

Anyway, I also had to draw a golf club for today’s outfit. Now, I will openly confess that I am not a skillful golfer, but I have taken a lesson or two. I based my golf club (I was not about to draw a whole set) on photos of 1920s golf clubs from Google Image Search. I know, I know. Not the best research practice.

Need a Marisole Monday & Friends Lady Paper Doll to wear today’s outfit? Pick One Out Here. 

A Poppet’s Fairy Paper Doll Outfit With Wings

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Today’s Printable Paper Doll Inspirations: Fairies and the Art of Amy Brown
A green and blue fairy paper doll outfit. Free to print in color or black and white.

A fairy costume with wings. Free to print in color or black and white.

I wanted to design some gender neutral fairy clothing. Something cute and not too girly, but still fun and whimsical.

Back in November, I posted this gender neutral kids clothing. I was researching that set I kept seeing these puffy-short like pants for girls and boys. I kept those and added a tunic. I wanted the tunic to feel a little stiff and almost bark like. Then I added veining like a leaf, because I liked how it looked.

The striped stockings are a nod to the art of Amy Brown, as are the wings. I rarely draw wings like this, but I am trying to practice. Wings are hard work, but I cheat by drawing only one side and then copying it over to make them symmetrical.

Color scheme wise, I wanted to pick something neutral. My fairy paper doll that I shared back in early February was so colorful. Greys, blues and greens seemed interesting and gender neutral.

So, enjoying fairies? Are fairies something I should do more of? Let me know in a comment.

I’ve added a few new things to the Paper Thin Personas shop on Etsy and, as a grand opening, have a coupon called: READER2017 for the blog readers. It’s good for 25% off an order of 4.00 or more through the end of March.

Or if you’d like to support the blog a different way then become a Patron or liking it on facebook where I am sharing stuff from the Archives, as well as announcing new posts when they are posted.

Tomorrow, tune in for 1920s golfing wear.

Need a paper doll to wear today’s outfit? Pick a Poppet Paper Doll Here.

Aishwarya: An Elven Printable Paper Doll

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Today’s Printable Paper Doll Inspirations: Elves and Purple Hair

A beautiful blue haired elf paper doll with two pairs of shoes. Part of the Ms Mannequin printable paper doll series, she can share clothing with those paper dolls. Available in color or black and white.

A short haired printable paper doll coloring page who can wear any of the Ms. Mannequin paper doll clothing. Free to print from paperthinpersonas.com

One perk of being a Patron of the blog is that I will actually listen to requests and usually follow through, though I still owe someone a New Romantic outfit.

I swear I am working on it.

Anyway, the interest in Lord of the Rings style fantasy made me decide to draw an elf. My conclusion that pale blond elves are cliche made me create one with blue hair.

See everything makes sense if you just understand my general feelings that most depictions of elves are boring.

Plus, I think everything is better if there is blue hair.

Aishwarya, today’s elf, shares a skin-tone with Layla, so they can share shoes. Aishwarya means “prosperity, wealth” in Sanskrit. I thought it was a really beautiful name.

If you feel that the few fantasy outfits the Ms. Mannequin paper dolls have are not elven feeling, then worry not. Next week, there will be an Elven inspired outfit for Aishwarya to wear.

How did I do on my first Ms. Mannequin elf? Does she need some elf friends?

By the way, there’s now a Paper Thin Personas shop on Etsy. Use the coupon called: READER2017 and get 25% off an order of 4.00 or more until the end of March. I’ll be adding some new clothing in the next week or so.

Want me to listen to your request more? Then think about becoming a Patron.

Need some clothing for today’s Ms Mannequin paper doll? Pick Out Some Ms. Mannequin Clothing Here

The Poppets Printable Paper Dolls Get Some Modern Kids Clothes

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Today’s Printable Paper Doll Inspirations: This Sweatshirt

A printable contemporary kids outfit for a my Poppet's printable paper doll series. Available in color or black and white.

A black and white paper doll clothing coloring page with a contemporary kids outfit from paperthinpersonas.com.

I don’t have kids, but I was recently blessed with my first Nephew. Now, before he was born, we didn’t know the gender. Finding gender neutral baby clothing was surprisingly difficult and I find I am still attracted to the idea of gender neutral children’s clothing. I’m always looking for more ideas for the Poppets paper dolls, since I tend to find historical kids clothing more interesting then contemporary kids clothing. However, I loved this sweatshirt and thought it needed to become a Poppet paper doll outfit.

I originally was going to do a more gender neutral color scheme of grey and khaki. However, when it came time to color it in, I might have said, “Hmmm… I could use all gender neutral colors… Or I could make bright pink leggings.”

Clearly, the bright pink leggings won.

As I often do with contemporary clothing, I felt like I needed a few more pieces to increase the mix and match options, so I also created the rolled shorts. I do think that the bird sweatshirt would look super cute with these jeans. I drew those back when I first introduced the Poppets paper dolls and somehow I haven’t drawn another pair of jeans for them since.

Huh. Maybe I should get on that. Do the Poppets paper dolls need jeans? Let me know in a comment.

Just in case you haven’t heard, there’s now a Paper Thin Personas shop on Etsy and, as a grand opening, have a coupon called: READER2017 for the blog readers. It’s good for 25% off an order of 4.00 or more until the end of March.

Meanwhile, if you’re not in a shopping mood, then think about becoming a Patron or liking it on facebook where I am sharing stuff from the Archives, as well as announcing new posts when they are posted.

Friday I’ll be posting my February dress for the 2017 paper doll collab project. So, stay tuned for that.

Need a paper doll to wear today’s outfit? Pick a Poppet Paper Doll Here.

Mikhail as a Warrior King Paper Doll

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Today’s Printable Paper Doll Inspirations: Akemi and The Lack of Mikhail Paper Dolls
A male fantasy warrior king paper doll in color or black and white. Your pick.

A fur trimmed fantasy gown and an Asian paper doll color page with fur trimmed booties. Print from paperthinpersonas.com

In my more pretentious moments, I think of of the blog as an ongoing art project. It’s sort of a journal of my paper doll activities, plus you can print them out and play with them which is super fun.

In the beginning, I never thought I would draw men. Drawing men is not my gift. Even now, when I look at Marcus 2.0 and Mikhail, the men of the Marisole Monday & Friend’s paper doll series, I see a lot of problems with them. Their hips are too wide. Their arms a little too long.

And yet, I can live with them. Not the perfect male paper doll, but male paper dolls have never been my great strenght. (You want good male paper dolls, go check out Pop Culture & Paper Dolls.)

Like Monday’s Maeghan paper doll, today’s Mikhail paper doll was inspired by an older paper doll I designed called Akemi. Akemi was a fantasy warrior and I think of this version of Mikhail is a warrior king.

Also, in case you missed the news, I now have an Etsy Store! There is a coupon code good for 25% off an order of 4.00 or more until the end of March. Visit the shop and use the code: READER2017

If you’re not in the mood for shopping, then think about supporting the blog by becoming a patron.

Need a more outfits for today’s Marisole Monday & Friends Paper Doll? Find More Guys Clothing Here. 

A Warrior Queen Printable Paper Doll

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Today’s Printable Paper Doll Inspirations: Akemi and My Continuing Struggle With Red Hair and Tan Skin
A fantasy warrior queen printable paper doll with tan skin and red hair. Her gown is paired with a breastplate and black boots. Available in black and white or color.

A fur trimmed fantasy gown and an Asian paper doll color page with fur trimmed booties. Print from paperthinpersonas.com

A few months ago, I first mentioned that I would be drawing new paper dolls based on some of my old paper dolls. There are literally hundreds paper dolls on this blog since it is nearly nine years old (scary no?) and given that, I have enjoyed creating new paper dolls from old paper dolls.

It’s like recycling, but with paper dolls and not glass bottles. So, Dionisa became this B&B set and On Future Streets became this Ms. Mannequin outfit. Today, Akemi, one of my favorite fantasy warrior paper dolls, inspired today’s Maeghan paper doll, a warrior queen.

I decided to make her a paper doll queen and not a paper dolls princess, because queens have more power.

I gave her red hair and tan skin, because I am on a constant mission to figure out how to make that combination work. I think it looks okay this time, but I’m still not totally pleased with the outcome.

And tomorrow, there will be a Mikhail paper doll inspired by the same Akemi paper doll. I know some of my readers will be excited to get a new boy printable paper doll.

Also, in case you missed the news, I now have an Etsy Store! There is a coupon code good for 25% off an order of 4.00 or more until the end of March. Visit the shop and use the code: READER2017

If you’re not in the mood for shopping, then think about supporting the blog by becoming a patron.

Need a more outfits for today’s Marisole Monday & Friends Paper Doll? Find More Ladies Clothing Here. 

Marisole Monday & Friends Sunset Inspired Fantasy Ballgown

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Today’s Printable Paper Doll Inspirations: Huge Skirted Ballgowns and The Colors of the Sunset

A fantasy princess paper doll ballgown in the colors of the sunset.

A fantasy princess paper doll ballgown in the colors of the sunset.

I love big skirted ballgowns. I love crazy over the top big skirted princess paper doll ball gowns.

Obviously, I am expressing this love today.

Another love of mine, from when I was a kid, are off the shoulder dresses. Generally, I blame this on being a child of the 1980s.

This ballgown was actually part of a set of two big skirted fantasy gowns I designed back in 2015. Yes, that’s right, 2015. A long long time ago, I confess.

Anyway, I found them again and I hated one of them. This one I thought, “You know, that’s not bad.”

Now, the color scheme it had back then involved lime green and orange, so that had to go. Once I had it re-colored, I actually thought it was pretty beautiful, so it wasn’t a hard decision to repost it.

So, how do people feel about big skirted ball gowns?

And think about becoming a patron if you like the blog. Every little bit helps, plus there’s previews and sketchbook content. And, I’ve got a new facebook page, so like it and such if you want. It’s home to archives posts from the depths of the blog.

Need a Marisole Monday & Friends Lady Paper Doll to wear today’s outfit? Pick One Out Here.