Faye has decided to do a little time traveling and visit the 1920’s. I love drawing 1920s paper dolls and this one was no exception. Inspired by Anna May Wong (the first Asian-American famous film actress), I knew I wanted to use Faye, my Asian Mini-Maiden in this set.
(I did not give Faye Anna May’s wonderful bangs because every time I tried to draw them they looked… off somehow. Bangs and I just don’t always get along.)
Faye has shoes, stockings, a girdle, a house dress, two day dresses and then a swimsuit. She should probably also have a swimming cap, but I didn’t really think about that until after I finished the set and then it was too late. But she’s got a pretty good set of 1920s clothing to print and color, I think.
Oh well…
I really had fun with this set since I just bought a few more books aboutย 1920’s clothingย and wanted an excuse to play with them.

{Download a PDF to Print} {View a 150 dpi PNG} {Check out some More Mini-Maiden Printable Paper Dolls}
I’m trying to give more information on where I do my costume research when I say something is historically accurate, so I’m including a sources list, in case anyone else wants to dabble in the 1920s. It’s not exhaustive. There’s some other great books out there, just what I happened to use for this set and have on my own shelves at home.
A Few Sources for 1920’s Fashion History
1920s Fashions from B. Altman & Company. Mineola, NY: Dover Publications, 1999.
Atelier Bachwitz. Classic French Fashions of the Twenties. Mineola, NY: Dover Publications, 2012.
Blum, Stella. Everyday Fashions of the Twenties as Pictured in Sears and Other Catalogs. New York: Dover Publications, 1981.
Lussier, Suzanne. Art Deco Fashion. Boston: Bulfinch/AOL Time Warner Book Group, 2003.
Peacock, John. 20th-century Fashion: The Complete Sourcebook. London: Thames and Hudson, 1993.
Do people find this idea of sources lists useful? I don’t want to do them all the time, but for my historical stuff I thought it might be helpful for folks. Thoughts from my fabulous readers?
Discover more from Paper Thin Personas
Subscribe to get the latest posts sent to your email.
Thank you for these prints. My daughters eyes light up when I give her one to color. They are really beautiful creations. ๐
You’re welcome Heather. I’m glad your daughter likes them.
Gorgeous! I love your period ones. I have you done one for the 1960s? I would love to see it if you have.
Thanks for sharing your beautiful work.
I haven’t done one for the 1960s. Sorry. Maybe someday. ๐
http://app.sketchclub.com/sketch/10075426
Done! Although I managed to miss somehow that Faye is meant to be of Chinese descent and Hazel British-Nigerian. Oops. ????
Well, one of the reasons I don’t emphasize “origin stories” for my paper dolls is that I believe people should get to transform them into what they want them to be.
These are wonderful. I spent a long time looking for just such a thing for my daughter this morning, and after negotiating some fairly disturbing images, I came across this site. Beautifully done. Thank you!
I love when you add reference sources. I’m always looking for good ones and it’s helpful.