Ms Mannequin

Ms. Mannequin’s Winter Princess Gown with Boots

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Today’s Printable Paper Doll Inspirations: Snow, Snowflakes,
the Usual

A winter princess gown trimmed in fur with matching boots.

I have been so wrapped up working on new things that I almost forgot to get this post done. It was rather embarrassing.

Anyway, here is a fantasy set for the Ms. Mannequin series celebrating the winter time. The boots are trimmed in fur and the dress is decorated with a snowflake motif. Just for my readers who tell me that not every dress has to be worn with heels, I made these flat soled boots.

I went back and forth on colors. Once I realized it was going to be posted on Christmas Day, I sort of felt bad that I didn’t think to color the dress in greens and reds. Oh well… I’ve not been very on the ball with my holiday themes anyway.

Merry Christmas to anyone who is celebrating.

And for those who aren’t, like me, I hope you enjoy your day.

If you’d like to give the blog a Christmas present, than think about becoming a patron. 

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

The Sleeves Trend in Paper Doll Form

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Today’s Printable Paper Doll Inspirations: Trendy Tropical Clothing

Trendy paper doll clothing to print for free for the Ms. Mannequinn paper dolls. A sweater, a pair of pants, and a floral blouse, plus a matching purse.

Some super trendy paper doll clothing coloring today! Sleeve details and floral prints for paper dolls. Free to print from paperthinpersonas.com.

The trend for this winter is sleeve detail. As I write this, I am wearing a flared sleeve sweater and that was a tame version of some of the things I have seen out there. I couldn’t imagine not creating some trendy sleeved tops for the Ms. Mannequins and here they are.

The sweater is pretty close to what I am actually wearing today (though mine is a tunic and has a lace up neckline, so maybe… not that close?). Anyway… I’ve certainly seen sweaters like the one I’ve drawn for them. The blouse is floral (also a trend) and has ruffle details on the sleeves. I tried on a blouse like that recently and I did not look good in it, but part of the joy of paper dolls is that they do not sure our own insecurities about their arms.

Nor do they worry they will get the ruffle cuff in their soup when they try to eat it. Life maybe, I confess, easier if you are a paper doll.

On the flip side, I suspect paper dolls have phobic feelings about puddles and being accidentally ripped in half.

So, perhaps paper doll life would be more wrought with terror than I thought.

Meanwhile, what do you think of today’s paper doll outfits? Would you wear crazy sleeves? Do you wear crazy sleeves?

Wednesday, there will be the last two 1920s dresses for the Poppets. Forever. (It sounds so dire when I put it that way.)

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

Kamala, A New Ms. Mannequin Paper Doll

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Today’s Printable Paper Doll Inspirations: Um… India, I guess?
An East Indian paper doll named Kamala with shoes. She's part of the Ms. Mannequin series and can share clothing with any of those paper dolls.

An East Indian paper doll named Kamala with shoes. She's part of the Ms. Mannequin series and can share clothing with any of those paper dolls.

Happy Day before Thanksgiving everyone! I think I warned people on Facebook that I wasn’t going to have anything holiday related this year. I always swear I am going to get something done for all the holidays and then, inevitably, I forget until the last minute.

Good intentions and all that.

Anyway, instead of something holiday related, I have Kamala, a new Ms. Mannequin paper doll. Kamala is East Indian, I think, and her name means “lotus” or “pale red” in Sanskrit. It can both be a feminne or a masculine name. It’s also one of the names of the Hindu goddess Lakshmi. Lakshimi is the goddess of wealth, fortune and prosperity.

I confess that I don’t know much about the Hindu religion, but it is my understanding that Lakshimi is one of the major gods.

Kamala shares a skintone with Sunitha and Aishwarya which gives her four other shoe options. And who doesn’t want more shoe options?

Personally, I really like Kamala’s up do and it makes me think of some of the evening gowns I have drawn of these paper dolls. I’d put her in this dress, this dress and this dress. Probably also this dress, though it is more fantasy than the others.

Tomorrow there will be the November installment of the 2017 paper doll collab. We had to create a paper doll based on a personal hero. My choice will probably surprise some people, though not those who know me well.

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

A Pair of 1960s Vintage Paper Doll Dresses for the Ms. Mannequin Paper Dolls

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Today’s Printable Paper Doll Inspirations: Simplicity 7203 and Simplicity 7852

A pair of 1960s vintage paper doll dresses based on sewing pattern covers from 1968 and 1967.

A pair of 1960s vintage paper doll dresses based on sewing pattern covers from 1968 and 1967. Free to print from paperthinpersonas.com.

The pattern covers for Simplicity 7203 and Simplicity 7852 inspired today’s 1960s vintage paper doll dresses. The dress on the left comes from Simplicity 7852. Described as an a-line dress, the pattern offered two different colors and sleeve lengths. I chose the bib and contrasting collar for my paper doll version.

I created Simplicity 7203’s tent dress on the right. The tent dress fell in a triangle away from the body and often featured a front pleat.

Because I wanted to showcase the transition between the 1960s and 1970s, I chose the stand collar and pockets to go with my tent dress which isn’t really as wide as maybe it should be. Drawing 1960s vintage paper doll dresses isn’t as easy as sometimes I think it should be.

Also, can we pause and consider the name “tent dress”? Has anyone ever thought to themselves, “I want to look great! I’ll go put on a tent”? I mean… really?

I digress.

As some of you know, I love the Vintage Pattern Wiki whenever I go looking for vintage pattern covers to draw. Pattern Covers provide a window into what the more everyday fashions of the decade might look like. Sure, I adore Yves St. Lauren and Rudi Gernreich, but most people couldn’t afford those looks. Plus, Rudi Gernreich could be a bit out there.

So, my question for all of you is this- Would you wear something called a “tent dress”? Let me know in a comment!

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

Ms. Mannequin Fashion Paper Doll’s Tropical Vacation

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Today’s Printable Paper Doll Inspirations: Trendy Tropical Clothing

Some super trendy paper doll clothing today! Tropical pants, paper bag shorts and an off the shoulder top. Free to print from paperthinpersonas.com.

Some super trendy paper doll clothing coloring today! Tropical pants, paper bag shorts and an off the shoulder top. Free to print from paperthinpersonas.com.

I have kept seeing tropical prints this year. And patterned pants are in, so I decided to draw tropical printed patterned pants. A meeting of two worlds!

Actually, now that I mention it, everything in today’s Ms Mannequinn paper doll clothing set is super trendy. There’s paper bag waistband shorts and an off the shoulder top. Those are two other super important trends for this last summer. I guess I was just feeling super duper trendy when I drew these.

It’s good I have paper dolls, because I never dress trendy. I don’t think cardigans have ever been that trendy.

(But I do love me a good looking cardigan.)

When I was coloring this set, I had a lot of fun matching the top to the colors in the flowers. And then using the green for the shorts. If you should chose to color the black and white version than I recommend playing around with the shades. I think a monochrome look with black and white could be also really dramatic.

Drama in clothing can be fun. Drama in real life usually isn’t as much fun.

So, let’s keep all drama to clothing.

Meanwhile, what do you think of today’s paper doll outfits? Would you wear tropical print pants?

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

A Nod to the End of Summer with the Ms. Mannequin Paper Doll Fashions

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Today’s Printable Paper Doll Inspirations: Spring and Summer Fashions
A set of summery paper doll fashions with shorts, a sundress and blouse from paperthinpersonas.com.

A set of summery paper doll fashions with shorts, a sundress and blouse to print and color.

Summer is finally coming to an end here in Alabama. When I went on my usual walk around the campus at lunch, I actually was grateful I had a sweatshirt to wear. Of course, tomorrow it might be in a 90s. If it stays cool, I’ll have to switch out my short-sleeved summer cardigans for my long-sleeved winter cardigans.

The cardigan rotation is proof that fall is really here for me.

Meanwhile in paper doll land, I drew these paper doll fashions for the Ms. Mannequin paper dolls when it was still hot outside. So, think of these as a last summer set of fashions for them. Of course, knowing me, I’ll end up posting sundresses in December, because that’s just how I roll.

The theme for today’s paper doll fashions is stripes. I’ve noticed a lot of stripes this summer, especially broad stripes. I wanted to play with color, but also shape. This may, or may not, explain the shirt with the flounce sleeves. Has anyone else noticed that flounce sleeves are making a comeback? I’m excited about this, because when I wear them I feel like a princess. In my head, that shirt’s made of chambray, in case anyone is wondering.

As always, I love to hear from you guys, so leave me a comment and let me know what you think of today’s paper doll fashions.

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

Ms. Mannequin’s 15th Century Burgundian Gown and Headdress

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Today’s Printable Paper Doll Inspirations: This Manuscript Illustration from 1470, this Manuscript Illustration from 1401-1500, this one from the same work, and this Manuscript Illustration from 1475

A Burgundian gown for a paper doll based on illuminated manuscript illustrations. Along with the gown, there is a headdress based on the designs of the 1450s.

A Burgundian gown for a paper doll based on illuminated manuscript illustrations. Along with the gown, there is a headdress based on the designs of the 1450s.

Today’s paper doll dress and headdress are both from the 15h century. The gown is known as a Burgundian gown named for the Duchy of Burgundy.

About 1450, this style of Burgundian gown became popular. The deep V-neckline revealed the kirtle (under dress) beneath. The trimming would have been fur or wool. The wide belt was placed above the natural waist and gives the gowns a pregnant look.

(Remember, being pregnant was a good thing for women in this time. After all, fertility was seen as a super critical part of a woman’s value.)

Women never had uncovered hair in this era. So, I needed a headdress to go with the Burgundian gown.

The headdress I chose to draw was based on this illustration of the Whore of Babylon from an 1470 manuscript. The headdress is from 1450, according to the Morgan Library where the manuscript is housed. I’m afraid I don’t know quite enough about the era yet (though I am studying) to make any claim either way.

By the way, the wonderful book Illuminating Fashion: Dress in the Art of Medieval France and the Netherlands, 1325-1515 is currently on sale from the Morgan Library for just 20 dollars. I bought a copy for my library and I’d recommend it if you are at all interested in medieval dress. Though it doesn’t touch on how these garments were made, nor does it discuss how to make them yourself, so… don’t buy it if that is what you want.

Secondary Sources:

Houston, Mary G. Medieval Costume in England and France: The 13th, 14th, and 15th Centuries. N.p.: Dover Publications, 1996. Print.

Scott, Margaret. Fashion in the Middle Ages. N.p.: J. Paul Getty Museum, 2011. Print.

Scott, Margaret. Medieval Dress & Fashion. N.p.: British Library, 2009. Print.

Ask me if you have any questions about the books or the manuscripts I looked at. There are links to all the manuscript illustrations at the top under the “inspiration” links list. I was just too lazy tonight to bother citing them all properly.

I know. I’m a rebel librarian sometimes. Happy Friday!

Meet Nikola: The New Ms Mannequin Printable Paper Doll

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Today’s Printable Paper Doll Inspirations: The Challenge of Olive Skintone 
A printable paper doll named Nikola with brown hair, blue eyes and olive skin. She has two pairs of shoes and can wear any of the Ms. Mannequin clothing.

A set of urban fashion inspired printable paper doll clothing from paperthinpersonas.com. One pair of jeans and two tank tops make up today's paper doll outfit.

I’ve written before about some of the challenges of paper doll skin-tones. It’s important to me that their be a variety of paper doll skin-tones. I also think it’s important that there not be too much variety, because if there is than it’s hard to share shoes among the dolls.

So, I wanted to do an olive skin-tone and that was how this paper doll’s skin-tone began. Once I had it created, I realized that it was really only one hex off from the skin-tone I created for Stella and Chloe.

At that point, I was like- Why not just use their skin-tone? There’s no difference once this prints, because printers just aren’t that precise. And I couldn’t even see a difference.

And so, Nikola can share her shoes with both Stella and Chloe and they can share shoes with her.

Nikola is a feminine form of Nicholas from countries including the Czech republic, Poland and Germany. I’m half Czech, so I thought it would be fun to give her a Czech name.

I gave Nikola blue eyes, because my sister has olive skin and blue eyes. It’s not a very common combination, but I’ve been told it’s more common in Eastern Europe than you see it in the US. I’ve never been (but I so badly want to go to Prague), but someday I will.

Tomorrow, there’s a curvy fantasy gown and then on Monday… I actually have no idea. I should sort that out. 🙂

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

A Fitted Dress from 1956 for the Ms. Mannequin Paper Dolls

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Today’s Printable Paper Doll Inspirations: Vogue 8972, A Sewing Pattern from 1956A paper doll dress based on a pattern cover from 1956 for the Ms. Mannequin paper doll series in grape purple.

A paper doll dress based on a pattern cover from 1956 for the Ms. Mannequin paper doll series to print and color.

I’ve written before that part of what I like about drawing from fashion magazines is the simplicity of it. You see a shirt. You draw the shirt.

Thanks to the Vintage Pattern Wiki, I can apply a similar feeling to drawing vintage historical paper doll clothing. There are hundreds of vintage pattern covers in the Vintage Pattern Wiki, so if I feel like drawing 20th century clothing than I find it doesn’t take a lot of energy to track down something I like and draw it. I just pick a decade and start looking.

I’ll openly grant that this isn’t exactly the best research practice, but it’s fun and I like picking out things to try to recreate.

Today’s dress from 1956 comes from Vogue 8972. The Vogue pattern company began as a feature in Vogue magazine. In 1909, Conte Nast bought Vogue magazine and the pattern company was formed in 1914. This was around the same time most of the other big name pattern companies were getting started as well.

It might be confirmation bias, but Vogue patterns, even today, seem to be more couture styled than others.

When I chose to draw Vogue 8972, I thought it was an afternoon or dinner dress, but the pattern isn’t specific. I chose to make my a grape purple, because I like purple.

I am a little concerned that I might have made the skirt a bit shorter than it should be, but fashion figures have such freakishly long legs it can be hard to tell where the skirt actually stops.

There’s a few other patterns from the mid-1950s with similar narrow skirted silhouette are McCall’s 3461, Vogue S-4627, Simplicity 1678, McCalls 4615 and Advance 8368. There are dozens of others, but those were a few I thought shared traits with today’s paper doll dress.

Well, what do you think of the 1950s? It is a favorite fashion period of yours? Let me know in a comment.

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

Summer Time Paper Doll Fashions for Ms. Mannequin

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Today’s Printable Paper Doll Inspirations: Spring and Summer Fashions
Summer paper doll clothes from paperthinpersonas.com. A dress, tank and a pair of shorts.

Summer paper doll clothes from paperthinpersonas.com. A dress, tank and a pair of shorts.

I’ve been wanting for a while to take the Ms. Mannequin printable paper dolls back to their roots a little. So today’s post is contemporary spring and summer fashions. Contemporary fashion was what I originally designed them to be all about. Personally, I think today’s summer paper doll clothes are what a fashionable girl might wear to a picnic.

A super fashionable picnic- the kind with champagne and tiny sandwiches. I have never been to one of these.

I really wanted to play around with pastels this time and embrace soft smoky colors. I was particularly excited with how the blue dress came out. It really reminds me of blue linen, though I have no idea why.

Perhaps I am fantasizing about linen, because summer has finally come to Alabama. After a blessedly cold spring, we are now hitting the heat and humidity we’re known for. I very much dislike the summer in the South.

I think I would dislike it less if my office weren’t always freezing. Books like 65 degrees and 40% humidity. People are not so keen on those temps, so I wear a cardigan to work every day and swelter in the jaunt from my car to the office.

Still, it is more important that my collection is happy than it is that I am happy. I will suffer for my historical papers, as any good Special Collections librarian should. (This is also why I once draped by coat over a book in a sudden unexpected snowfall to protect it and froze walking back across campus.)

And now that I have managed to fill today’s post with complaining about the weather, which is basically the sport that rivals college football in Alabama, I would love to know what you think of today’s summer paper doll clothes. Leave me a comment ad let me know.

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