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The dress on the left is not based on anything, really, but the one on the right is based on a fashion plate from the Casey Fashion Plate Index. The Casey Fashion Plate Index demonstrates both what I love and what I hate about a lot of library digitization projects. It’s a wonderful resource, but navigating it can be a real chore. And the lack of searching flexibility annoys me. Still, you win some and you lose some in the land of digital print indexes.
I know someone asked for wigs with this paper doll, so here is one. The design is based on illustrations from Corson’s Fashions In Hair which is the seminal text on hair. An absolutely amazing text. And on my wishlist of things I want someday.
Maybe it’s just because I’m a sucker for a good looking trousseau for a paper doll, but I love this 1940’s paper doll from The Paper Collector. If you’re not a regular reader of The Paper Collector, then you are missing out on daily updates of neat printed paper things from postcards to some dynamite paper dolls. It’s one of my not so guilty pleasures each day.
Lovely hair style! I wonder why the dress on the right is called a half-dress. It doesn’t look half to me at all.
Good question, Marie Louise. Half-dress was actually a term used for the level of formality. So, there was undress (like morning dresses), half-dress (most day and some dinner dresses) and then full dress (evening gowns). Many fashion plates of the era just state the level of dress, rather then saying what the costume was worn for, so I note the level of dress when I can find it. I hope that answers your question. 🙂
That dress pattern looks familiar. Reminds me of “Pride and Prejudice…”
New to your site. Just thought I’d drop a line to say your work is beautiful. LOVE your historical dolls