Clothes Archives • Paper Thin Personas

Galaxy Frock: Space Princess Collection

September 20, 2021May 28, 2019

Black and White PDF | Color PDF | More Jewels & Gemstones Paper Dolls

Thoughts on Today’s Paper Doll
So, I am a little annoyed at WordPress at the moment, somehow it missed posting all the stuff I carefully had scheduled for last week. As a result, I am posting those things this week. Sigh.

My Patrons chose this theme of Space Princess dresses back in January. In case you are wondering how long it take me to finish things, well… I started this back in January. See, I am clearly not a very fast paper doll creator.

Inspiration for Today’s Paper Doll
I love the work of Guo Pei. She’s a Chinese fashion designer and there’s something that just feel Space Princess to me in so much of her work. I could have drawn the whole Space Princess wardrobe from her designs. They are amazing.

Specific Source Images: This gown from Guo Pei Spring 2019 and this gown.

Learn/See More
On the Blog: More Jewels & Gemstones paper dolls & this paper doll, this paper doll and these paper doll clothes
Around the Internet: Guo Pei’s collections are all amazing. She has a wonderful, almost fantastical style with a strong traditional Chinese influence. A nice article on her called Guo Pei: Couture Beyond

Last Thoughts
Be sure to come back next week on Tuesday for another Space Princess design, unless WordPress once again decides it hates me. I think I got the problem fixed. I think…

As always a big thank you to my Amazing Patrons, they make the blog possible.

1955 Summer Dress With Hat and Purse

September 20, 2021April 25, 2019

Black and White PDF | Color PDF | More Jewels & Gemstones Paper Dolls

Thoughts on Today’s Paper Doll
There’s a few silhouettes one tends to associate with retro 50s fashion. There’s the tight waisted, full skirt look (like this) or the narrow fitted suit look (like this). There’s also a few variations on this and one of those variation is the dropwaist version of the full skirted look.

A dropwaist is when the waist (aka seam where the bodice meets the skirt) is lower than the natural waist on a person. A highwaist is when the waist is raised above the natural waist, but below the bust. An empire waist is when the waist of a dress is located right under the bust.

More than you maybe wanted to know about fashion terminology. I digress.

Inspiration for Today’s Paper Doll
Summer is coming rapidly to Alabama. I love the Fall in Alabama and I like the Winter. I could leave the Summer without any sense of guilt at all. It’s hot and humid and my allergies are exploding. Ugh!

Anyway, I always think women in retro spring fashion ads look so wonderfully cool and calm and it probably sucked living in Alabama in the 1950s when air conditioning was rare and petticoats were common. None the less, I loved the concept if not the reality.

Specific Source Images: Vogue 8596, Montgomery Ward Spring/Summer 1950 hats pages and Sears (I used Everyday Fashions of the Fifties As Pictured in Sears Catalogs)

Learn/See More
On the Blog: More Jewels & Gemstones paper dolls & More 1950s Paper Dolls
Around the Internet: Closet Historian regularly posts images from vintage catalogs in her collection and they are fascinating.

Last Thoughts
I’ve done two more 1950’s paper doll dresses and shared them with my Patrons. They are a 1950s suit and 1950s day dress. Join Us on Patreon if you’d like to support the blog (and get more paper doll content!)

Also, if you’re thinking- Well, I wish I had a 1950s paper doll to wear this stylin’ 1950s dress, I’ve made a version of the ever delightful Sapphire in 1950’s underwear. So, you can print her, but, as always, this dress will fit any of the Jewels & Gemstones paper dolls. Retro 50s fashion is so popular right now.

Winter and Spring Sorceress Paper Doll Dresses

May 22, 2020December 22, 2017

{View Larger} {View the PDF} {View Black & White} {View the Black & White PDF}
{More Bodacious and Buxom Paper Dolls}

Today’s Printable Paper Doll Inspirations:Vintage Santa Claus Illustrations and Layers

After I finished my Autumn sorceress gown, I began working on designs for a winter version. I knew I wanted fur and heavier looking fabric. After a few drafts (and with some inspiration from old illustrations of St. Nick), I came up with this design. I wanted it to feel lavish, but also warm.

Like the other dresses in the Sorceress Gowns Project colors really mattered. Initially, I wanted to make her fur trimmed coat red, but that felt a little to Father Christmas for me. So, instead I chose colors that reminded me of my visit to Alaska in November. Blues and greys that evoked the cool peacefulness of a winter day.

I wanted some big statement jewelry for her to really stand out against the turtle neck of her dress. So, I had fun designing that big gold bib necklace.

For her magical staff, I wanted snowflakes and the north star. I also added a ski poll like pointy bottom for hiking through the snow and being safe while doing so. I couldn’t decide between gold and silver for the colors of the staff, so I used both.

Her boots are fur trimmed. The soles are meant to reflect ice skates.

I also had a lot of debate about what color to make her stand. I almost made it white, but then I felt like it looked “unfinished” somehow, so blue won.

{View Larger} {View the PDF} {View Black & White} {View the Black & White PDF}
{More Bodacious and Buxom Paper Dolls}

Today’s Printable Paper Doll Inspirations:Crocuses and Melting Snow

When I think of spring I think of crocuses. Perhaps, because I grew up in a snowy place. I think of their little flower heads poking out through the melting snow, seeking light and warmth. So, when I set out to draw a Spring inspired Sorceress gown, I knew crocuses were going to be featured.

Beyond the crocus, I knew I wanted drape and layers. I wanted something that was soft and warm, the way I think of spring sun as being soft and warm.

The pattern on the dress is meant to invoke the melting snow. The white dripping down and off the grass and the slow emergence of color again. I love winter. I love the stillness and the peacefulness, but spring is a time of transformation.

Color wise, I returned to the crocus. I wanted greens and purples and rich yellow. I wanted things that were soft and sweet, but also vibrant. Spring is not peaceful to me (unlike winter).

Her corset features a crocus, of course, and so does her staff.

So, today’s two Sorceress Gowns Project paper doll dresses were about two very different seasons. I am deeply proud of both gowns, though there is a lot of diversity in them.

What do you think of today’s gowns? Do you have a favorite? Let me know in a comment.

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

The B&B Curvy Paper Dolls Get An Autumnal Sorceress Gown

November 8, 2017

{View Larger} {View the PDF} {View Black & White} {View the Black & White PDF}
{More Bodacious and Buxom Paper Dolls}

Today’s Printable Paper Doll Inspirations:Falling Leaves and Layered Gowns

After I finished the Elements dresses for the Sorceress Gowns Project I wasn’t sure what to draw next. The elements made a lot of sense to me, but then I was like… What other sorts of gown themes can I explore?

However, as autumn has come to Alabama and with it there are lots of leaves turning, I decided an series on the seasons would be a fun thing to work on next. So, today’s Sorceress Gowns Project paper doll outfit is based on the themes and colors of autumn.

I wanted to use colors that I see in the hills around town these days. The rich reds and yellows of turning leaves. I chose to do several different leaf designs.

The staff was inspired by a tree branch, though I’m not sure it entirely works.

And like all the Sorceress Gowns, she has some pretty cool boots.

I haven’t drawn winter, spring or summer yet, so this might end up the lone gown, but I plan on them. I just haven’t decided what I want them to look like quite yet. I’ve been working on thumbnail sketches for those dresses. I think I have a decent idea of what they might look like.

Of course, I tend to change my mind a lot, so it is also totally possible that I will before I do the final dresses.

Meanwhile, Friday there will be a super fun Sprites fantasy set.

As always, let me know what you think of today’s paper doll gown in a comment. I adore hearing from you all.

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

A Celebration of Autumn Boots for the B&B Printable Paper Dolls

October 18, 2017October 18, 2017

{View Larger} {View the PDF} {View Black & White} {View the Black & White PDF}
{More Bodacious and Buxom Paper Dolls}

Today’s Printable Paper Doll Inspirations:Renaissance Dresses & Princess Gowns

Sure, there’s a dress with today’s paper doll set, but really I wanted to draw boots. Because I love boots.

The dress, well, it’s there because I thought I needed something more than just boots. It’s a nice dress and very in style. Right now, the trend is for dramatic sleeves, so there’s a lot of bellsleeves and ruffle sleeves like this one being shown. Sleeves are very much the latest thing.

Personally, I like bellsleeves, so I don’t mind this trend at all.

Anyway, I wanted a simple dress, because I really wanted the focus to be on the boots. While I no longer create “sets” in the traditional sense, I do still really believe in playablity. It’s critical to me that each paper doll series function as a collection. So, while you can look at this as one dress and two pairs of boots, it is also a set that expands on the other contemporary fashion pieces that are available for my curvy B&B paper dolls.

If I were to coordinate it, I would use this set, this set and this set, and this set to start.

I have a few more trendy fashion sets for the B&B series in the words. (Also, more for the Sorceress Gowns collection, never fear fantasy fans.) I jump around a lot I know, but that’s just because I am interested in so many things.

I can’t imagine spending my time creating only one sort of paper doll. I think it would become very boring.

Like the blog? Think about donating and becoming a Patron, leaving a comment, and/or telling a friend about it.

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

A Floral Fantasy Princess Gown for the B&B Paper Doll Series

September 15, 2017

{View Larger} {View the PDF} {View Black & White} {View the Black & White PDF}
{More Bodacious and Buxom Paper Dolls}

Today’s Printable Paper Doll Inspirations:Renaissance Dresses & Princess Gowns

Confession time: I didn’t keep really good notes on this princess gown- I think of it as one even though there is no crown. I usually try to write down where an idea comes from or what images I look at as source material, but in this case, I really don’t have much of an answer. I know I wanted to do something renaissance inspired and fantasy gown, but with a very different aesthetic than the Sorceress Gowns Project.

I think of the Sorceress gowns as being all about layers and flow.

This gown, on the other hand, is very much a renaissance inspired gown, though it’s not historically accurate in anyway.

And I love, love, love the colors.

The colors were inspired by a sunset, but I really wanted to embrace the idea of rich yellows, oranges and greens. The cream blouse and socks are meant to counter the rich color scheme of the rest of the dress. The garters are orange, of course, to march the flowers. I trimmed everything in black to counter balance the bright yellow and orange.

Playing with color is such a fun part of creating paper doll fashions.

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

A Bodacious & Buxom Adventuring Outfit

August 11, 2017

{View Larger} {View the PDF} {View Black & White} {View the Black & White PDF}
{More Bodacious and Buxom Paper Dolls}

Today’s Printable Paper Doll Inspirations:Pathfinder and Adventuring

I play a fair bit of Pathfinder. It’s a d20 based RPG which has so much in common with Dungeons and Dragons 3.5 that people joking refer to it as Dungeons and Dragons 3.75. I started playing when I moved to Alabama, because it was a way to meet new people.

Plus I like spending my evenings killing imaginary monsters (and also sometimes, there’s pie.)

When you start out as a first level character, you get an outfit of clothing. The book is pretty vague on what this clothing actually consists of, but I was thinking about it recently. I always try to decide how my characters dress, because clothing is a physical manifestation of their social and cultural values.

(If you want to see an amazing version of this on screen, watch Dirk Gently’s Holistic Detective Agency. The costuming is fabulous. The show is super weird and wonderful.)

Today’s paper doll is my version of what a beginning adventurer might wear. This isn’t someone who can really afford a super nice set of armor yet and they’re still kinda just figuring things out. So, we’ve got a tunic with a vest over it, a bit of armor, leggings and boots. There’s no lavish decorations.

There’s also a sword.

I figure any good adventurer probably has some famous sword to carry around, so she’s got one too. Maybe it’s magical?

Anyway, I hope everyone has a wonderful Friday. Next week, there will be a whole week of Mini-Maiden paper dolls.

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

Sorceress’ Element Dress for Air

July 20, 2017

{View Larger} {View the PDF} {View Black & White} {View the Black & White PDF}
{More Bodacious and Buxom Paper Dolls}

Today’s Printable Paper Doll Inspirations:Tang Dynasty Hanfu, Sort of…

Today’s paper doll gown is for the curvy B&B paper dolls. It’s part of my Sorceress Gowns Project. My goal with the Sorceress Gowns Project was to create a series of gowns for a sorceress, as one might imagine. I started with the classic four elements- earth, air, fire and water. The element of Air inspired today’s paper doll gown.

For a series of gowns based on the elements, most of the Sorceress gowns were pretty easy to design. I created Water, Fire and Earth. Earth was the hardest, but only because my sister is a geologist and I feared judgement if I didn’t get it right.

Air was hard, because air is transparent. So, unless I wanted to post a blank image and declare it an Air dress, I needed to come up with some way to give Air some form. So, I went with flowing garments and soft drape. Her staff references a bird’s wing and the swirls on her dress are meant to be the breeze.

Traditional Chinese dress from the Tang Dynasty influenced this paper doll gown. I saw things like this and and this being labeled as Tang Dynasty. Now, I realize these have about as much in common with actual Tang Dynasty dress as this does with actual Italian renaissance dress. Intrigued by these outfits, I did a little more research and found this painting and this painting. Again, I have no idea how accurate most of this is. My knowledge of Chinese clothing is distinctly Qing Dynasty. And even that era, I know only the most surface of facts.

Still, I love the shape and the drape of these garments, so they heavily influenced today’s paper doll gown.

The chose to use colors I associate with the sky at dawn. I didn’t know exactly what colors would symbolize Air, but I thought pale pastels made the most sense to me.

As always, I love to hear what people think in a comment.

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

B&B Russian Fantasy Outfit

July 12, 2017

{View Larger} {View the PDF} {View Black & White} {View the Black & White PDF}
{More Bodacious and Buxom Paper Dolls}

Today’s Printable Paper Doll Inspirations:Ivan Yakovlevich Bilibin and kosovorotka shirts

Personally, I blame my fascination with all thing Russian on growing up in Alaska and reading The Hunt for Red October at far to young of an age. I hope you all will interperate today’s paper doll outfit as an expression of love for the art of Ivan Yakovlevich Bilibin and not a statement on current events in the United States.

(I’m not really sure what a fantasy Russian outfit would be saying about current events, but that’s neither here nor there.)

I’ve loved Russian fairytales for most of my life. Well, I love all fairy tales, but the Russian ones I think resonated with me more than a lot of the others. Perhaps it was growing up in Alaska where there was a lot of Russian culture still or perhaps I saw in Ivan Biliban‘s illustrations a landscape I recognized- over grown forests and snow.

In fact, I sometimes think my fondness for flat color and heavy line is in part because of the exposure to those illustrations. At the time, those things were a limitation of the printing medium, but Biliban took advantage of them to make incredible works of art. It really was the golden age of children’t book illustration.

Anyway, today’s set of printable paper doll clothing consists of a traditional Russian style blouse, a corset, trousers tucked into books and a big fur hat. Everything is better with a big fur hat. The blouse is based on a kosovorotka which is a side fastening men’s shirt.

See? I did some research.

Questions about today’s paper doll outfit? Thoughts on other wonderful classic children’s book illustrators? Let me know in a comment!

And consider following the facebook page, if you want to show the blog some love and support.

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

B&B in Some Patriotic Clothing

July 4, 2017July 4, 2017

{View Larger} {View the PDF} {View Black & White} {View the Black & White PDF}
{More Bodacious and Buxom Paper Dolls}

Today’s Printable Paper Doll Inspirations: Stars, Stripes and All Things 4th of July

Happy 4th of July!

I didn’t really design this paper doll clothing set to be 4th of July themed. I just wanted to do red jeans and a shirt with stars on it. Somehow once I was coloring the set, the patriotic theme seemed inevitable.

The truth is that I tend to forget most holidays. I think I have all the time in the world and then suddenly they are upon me and I panic. The entire Mini-Maiden series owns its existence to my holiday panic.

Despite that I want to do holiday themed sets. I just seem to forget a lot.

Maybe the thing to do is start planning for Halloween today and then I might not end up scrambling. I’ve always admired Liana’s October themed months. I need to some up with an idea for the month or maybe just something for the 31st.

I hope everyone in the United States has a great 4th of July. I plan to spend mine playing board games, eating barbecued chicken and peach pie.

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

Share this:

Share this:

Share this:

Share this:

Share this:

Share this:

Share this:

Share this:

Share this:

Share this: