victorian inspired

A Steampunk Version of Changrui

A new steampunk paper doll design featuring an Asian guy paper doll with accessories.

Printable Black & White PDF Printable Color PDF More Paper Dolls & Clothes

So, when I was rounding up all the paper dolls for my C Pose paper doll post with all the sets I’d done in the last few months, I realized how few versions of the guys I had created. The girls all have several versions and the poor guys were just hanging out in their modern hair without much to turn too. I felt bad for them.

So, I set to work designing some new versions of the guys. I still need to design a second Cyrus, but have done elf Cameron, fantasy Carlos and now we have steampunk Changrui. I might have just really wanted an excuse to draw a Victorian mustache. Maybe.

I need a theme for Cyrus, any suggestions? I’m leaning towards cyberpunk or post-apocalyptic.

Also, if you like the blog and want to get behind the scenes, help pay for the server space and support my sketchbook buying habits, consider becoming a patron. Any amount helps.

Need a clothing for today’s paper doll? All the C Pose Dolls & Clothing

A Week of Coloring Pages: Steampunk Paper Doll Clothing

A steampunk coloring page featuring paper doll clothing for the B Pose paper dolls from paperthinpersonas.com.

Printable Black & White PDF More Paper Dolls & Clothes

This is the first steampunk inspired set I’ve drawn for the B Pose dolls. I was kinda thinking of a like a street urchin dressed up. So, there’s tools, boots and a top hat.

Everything is better with top hats.

When I design sets in black and white, I often add patterns, because I think they are maybe more fun to color? I confess I’m not much of a colorer. I think I mentioned that yesterday. So, I am kinda guessing what people like to color.

I did have way more fun dawing those tools than I should admit. There was going to be hammer, but hammers are surprisingly hard to draw, y’all. So are screw drivers, but I digress. 

Friday, there will be a cyberpunk set for the A Pose ladies. And who doesn’t need that? 

Meanwhile, let me know what you think of today’s set in a comment and, if you love the blog, think about donating to help it out over on Patreon. 

Need a Doll to wear today’s outfit? All the B Pose Dolls & Clothing

Gothic Fashions (And a Little Momento Mori and a Little Rockabilly)

Printable Black & White PDF Printable Color PDF More Paper Dolls & Clothes

I’ve always had a place in my heart for gothic fashion. Perhaps, because I grew up in the late 1990s gothic fashion revival. Or just because I really like all things Momento Mori and always have.

When I am working on coloring gothic fashions, I do worry all the shades of dark grey I used to make things look black can end up obscuring some of the details. That’s why I’ve put the black and white version in front of the colored version this time, so you can really see the ruffles and a pleats.

I chose black, because black is the most common gothic color. I accented it in lavender, because in Victorian mourning traditions, lavender (or mauve) was considered half-mourning. In case you’re wondering, the complexity of mourning dress half myth and half real. There’s tons of references to it in fashion magazines and etiquette manuals, but how closely it was actually observed is hard to say.

Anyway, the purse is a bit of a reference to Momento Mori art (which I love) and also a bit retro. I suppose it’s a nod to retro rockabilly sensibilities. The shoes, blouse and skirt all owe a lot to the Victorians, though no Victorian would wear such a low cut garment during the day.

In case you are wondering- “Hey, where is your collab paper doll?” Well, life got busy and I lost track of time, so my contribution will be up Monday. But you can check out Julie’s and Missy’s contributions in the meantime. 

I promise I didn’t forget. Things just got crazy.

Need  a doll for today’s clothing? All the B Pose Dolls & Clothing

A Set of Steampunk Style Paper Doll Clothing Designs

A set of steampunk style paper doll clothing designs consisting of a vest over blouse, a skirt with pleated details, boots, stockings, a purse and matching hat in browns and teals or in black and white for you to color any way you like.

Printable Black & White PDF Printable Color PDF More Paper Dolls & Clothes
I’ve loved Victorian fashions for as long as I can remember. I think it was probably early paper doll exposure, but what child doesn’t see the ruffles and the puffed sleeves and think, “I want to wear something like that?”

So, for me steampunk style paper doll clothing is a natural evolution of my love of all things Victorian. I’d happily draw steampunk quasi-Victorian outfits every day. I just adore them. When I started the Dames and Dandies paper doll series back in January, I knew I’d be drawing some fashions that embraced my love of all things Victorian. 

Today’s steampunk style foray consists of a pair of boots with vertical striped stockings, a skirt trimmed in pleats and a vest over a blouse. There’s also a tiny top hat and a purse to flesh out the outfit. One thing I love about steampunk style paper doll fashions is the little details- the buckles, the studs and the little pleats. Sometimes I don’t want to draw detail, but usually I enjoy the tiny things that make a paper doll outfit unique.

Don’t worry. There is a floating tab designed to help keep that tiny hat on the paper doll’s head. Everything is better with tiny top hats. 

Anyway, I always love to hear from y’all, so let me know what you think of today’s paper doll set in a comment. Should I do more steampunk? Less steampunk?

Need a doll to wear today’s paper doll clothing? All the A Pose Dolls & Clothing

Regency Inspired Steampunk Suit With Boots and a Top Hat

An elegant men's steampunk suit for the guy paper dolls from paperthinpersonas.com. Available in color or black and white.

Printable Black & White PDF Printable Color PDF More Paper Dolls & Clothes
Every once in a while, I draw something that I can’t wait to share. This was one of those outfits. It’s kinda funky, detailed and a little sexy, I think.

Okay, so to start with I guess you could call this a steampunk suit. I mean, it’s definitely in that genre, but the silhouette is very much Regency, not Victorian. Here’s a few source images to show what I mean. There’s this famous drawing of “Beau” Brummel and this lovely men’s fashion plate as examples.

So, as you can see, the shorter double breasted jacket and the vest and such are all very Regency, as are the fitted trousers tucked into boots. But I made my jacket shorter than would have been common and my vest longer to really show off the style. And, of course, thigh high boots were probably not that common in the period.

Here’s an 1860’s suit in case you’re curious what an actual Victorian suit looks like.

I had some trouble coming up with a color scheme. I really wanted to use a lot of brown, but I didn’t want to just use browns. That seemed boring. So, I accented my browns with orange and teal.

To go with my suit, I drew a top hat and a cane, because it seems to me that any well dressed steampunk gent should have those accessories. 

After I’d drawn this outfit and colored it, I decided to try out a second color scheme in blacks and reds. You can head over to the Patreon page and see that version. It’s very Gothic feeling. Sometimes, I think most steampunk outfits would look gothic if you just made them black, not brown. 

But the steampunk entranced friends seem to always get irritated when I point that out. 

Anyway, check it out if you like and let me know which color scheme you like better. 

Need a a Doll to wear today’s clothing? All the C Pose Dolls & Clothing

The First Steampunk Paper Doll Look for the Dames & Dandies

Steampunk paper doll clothing! A top hat, jacket over corset and a pair of leggings with boots. Free to print in color or black and white from paperthinpersonas.com.

Printable Black & White PDF Printable Color PDF More Paper Dolls & Clothes

There are themes I tend to return to over and over again. One of those themes is steampunk clothing. I have for as long as I can remember loved Victorian fashion. I was drawing modern styles influenced by the Victorians long before I ever heard the term “steampunk.” For years, oppositional as I am, I refused to use the term “steampunk” as a matter of principal.

Today, I don’t mind so much. I’ve adopted the philosophy that it is better to use a more universally recognized term “steampunk fashion” than my own personal preference for “neo-Victorian fashion”. This is probably the metadata writing librarian in me.

Anyway, today’s steampunk paper doll outfit was influenced by this lovely photo, particularly the women’s jacket. I also really wanted to experiment with drape while designing this coat and I had a lot of fun drawing the hem line.

The leggings and the boots are fairly “standard” styles for me. I’ve drawn a lot of lace up boots with straps over the years. I was thinking long term a bit though with these pieces. As the first steampunk designs for the A Pose Dames, I wanted to make sure they would be mix and matchable easily with future steampunk designs.

And fear not my steampunk loving readers (I know there are a few of you out there), there will be more steampunk designs. In fact, tune in on Friday for a Regency steampunk suit for the C pose gents.

Meanwhile, if you are a Patron, hop over there and there’s this whole outfit in a totally different color scheme for download. If you’re not a Patron, consider joining! There’s behind the scenes posts, a whole different paper doll series, and alternative color schemes.

Also, let me know what you think of today’s paper doll outfit in a comment. Do you love steampunk? Not so sure about it? Let me know. 

Need a Doll to wear today’s outfit? All the A Pose Dolls & Clothing

The Mini-Maidens Get Some Bloomers & a Top Hat in Today’s Paper Doll Steampunk Coloring Page

{View Larger} {View the PDF} {More Mini-Maiden Paper Dolls}

Today’s Printable Paper Doll Inspirations: This Steampunk Outfit
A printable paper doll steampunk coloring page from paperthinpersonas.com. The paper doll outfit can fit any one of the dozens of Mini-Maidens paper dolls

While I was never a big colorer as a kid, I do love creating black and white paper dolls, like today’s steampunk coloring page. I never liked coloring big expanses when I did color. So, the paper doll designs with more detail would be, I think, more fun to color.

(I maybe wrong of course. I don’t work in non-computer media much anymore. Someone who does should feel free to correct me in the comments about my coloring assumptions.)

So, I was very much feeling that I didn’t want to draw another steampunk fashion paper doll set when I saw this wonderful steampunk outfit on Pinterest and changed my mind. At first, I confess, it was the hair that got me, but I also adore the bodice.

So, I set to work on the paper doll’s bodice and the bloomers. Then I did the tights and invented some shoes. Striped stockings might be cliche, but I still really like them.

The hat was a last minute edition, because I thought the outfit needed something else. The set just didn’t feel complete without it.

Personally, the garters at the top of her stockings make me smile the most. I think they are just so fun! Though potentially impractical, because if you must lock on your garters that would just be a pain in the butt.

Still, as I have often said, paper dolls are not a place for practicality. If they did, I don’t know if I could draw them anymore. Half the fun is creating things I think look cool but would never wear.

So, love today’s paper doll steampunk coloring page? Hate it? Let me know in a comment! I always love to hear from you guys.

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

Marisole Monday’s Paper Doll Steampunk Outfit in Bright Colors

{View Larger} {View the PDF} {View Black & White} {View the Black & White PDF}
{More Marisole Monday & Friends Paper Dolls}

Today’s Printable Paper Doll Inspirations: My Steampunk Fashion Pinterest Board and This Photo
A steampunk Marisole Monday & Friend's printable paper doll outfit in bright colors to play with from paperthinpersonas.com.

A steampunk Marisole Monday & Friend's printable paper doll outfit in black and white to play with from paperthinpersonas.com.

When I was creating today’s paper doll outfit, I was thinking about steampunk fashions. I was heavily influenced by this steampunk outfit I found on Pinterest. I particularly liked the two-tone skirt design, which I hadn’t seen before. In truth, I think I copied it a little more closely than I usually feel comfortable with, but that is neither here nor there.

I am still learning to draw top hats, so today’s steampunk paper doll outfit was good practice. I am getting better at them, but I also think hats a generally challenging for me.

Still, I will not get better if I don’t try.

When it came time to color this Marisole Monday & Friends paper doll outfit, I knew I was not going with a traditional steampunk color scheme. I just get so bored with browns and creams after a while.

Of course, if you are looking at this and going, “That is not what I want from a steampunk outfit.” Never fear!

There’s a very traditional steampunk color scheme version on the Patreon page for anyone to download. And of course, if you decide you’d like to donate to support the blog while you’re there, than I would certainly appreciate it.

As always, I’d love to hear what you think in a comment!

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

Sprites Go Steampunk Fashion for Today

{View Larger} {View the PDF} {View Black & White} {View the Black & White PDF}
{More Sprites Paper Dolls}

Today’s Printable Paper Doll Inspirations:  Post Apocalyptic Fashions and Such 

Steampunk paper doll fashions for men and women designed for the Sprites paper doll collection on paperthinpersonas.com. One of hundreds of free paper dolls to print and play with.

Steampunk paper doll fashions for men and women designed for the Sprites paper doll collection on paperthinpersonas.com. One of hundreds of free paper dolls to print. color, and play with.

This is the second Steampunk set I’ve ever done for the Sprites and one of my goals has been to break away from my love of bustled skirts with steampunk sets. This doesn’t mean bustle skirts are going to go away, because my love of 1870s and 1880s fashion is extreme and will not be denied. You can not deny my love.

Thought totally unintentional these pieces really mix and match well with my last Sprite Steampunk collection that I posted on March 30th of this year. My goal was to make Sprite a focus this year and I am really proud that I have created 13 clothing set and 8 dolls for the Sprites printable paper doll series.

I confess that Sprites can be challenging, because men’s clothing just isn’t my favorite thing, but they have been growing on me and I am trying to get better at the whole male paper doll thing.

Also, I’ve clearly been on a thigh high boots for the Sprites gents kick, because the Space pirates had them too.

I hope everyone has had a great Friday. It’s Father’s Day on Sunday, so I want to give a shout out to my amazing Dad who once (I am not kidding) drew me a halibut paper doll. I love you so much, Dad.

As always, let me know what  you think in a comment and have a great weekend.

Looking for some Sprite paper dolls to wear these outfits? Pick out Sprite paper dolls here.

An Elegant Fantasy Paper Doll Gown in White & Gold

{View Larger} {View the PDF} {View Black & White} {View the Black & White PDF}
{More Ms. Mannequin Paper Dolls}

Today’s Printable Paper Doll Inspirations: This gown from a movie entitled, Sissi
A paper doll ball gown of white trimmed in gold. The boots are gold and white. Free printable paper doll ball gown in color or black and white.

A paper doll ball gown of white trimmed in gold. The boots are gold and white. Free printable paper doll ball gown in color or black and white.

So, when you donate on Patreon to support the blog there are different tiers- 1 dollar, 5 dollars, and 10 dollars. This year I offered a custom doll and outfit to my ten dollar paper doll donors.

Yesterday, I posted the doll I created for Elizabeth and today I am sharing the paper doll ball gown I created.

Here is part of Elizabeth’s request, “Very difficult decision to decide on what to ask for but I finally picked out for dress inspiration this white and gold dress from the 1950s Empress Sissi movie series starring Romy Schneider. I really like the white and gold color scheme though a crimson and gold color scheme could be fun too.”

She also sent me photo links of this gown from a movie entitled, Sissi. It is an Austrian film from 1955 based on the life of Empress Elisabeth of Austria. While the film was made in 1955, Empress Elisabeth of Austria was married in the mid-1850s.

To go with her paper doll ball gown, I designed some boots in part inspired by button-up boots of the Victorian era. Her neckline is a low off the shoulder heart line. White and gold is, of course, the color scheme Elizabeth asked for. I had a lot of fun making it in white and gold, but I think a pink and green color scheme would be beautiful as well.

Feel free to color the black and white version of this paper doll gown anyway you would like.

Want to get your own custom paper doll? Support the blog through Patreon at the 10 dollar a month level, or lower if that works better for your budget.

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