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Today’s Printable Paper Doll Inspirations: 1950s Suits, Obviously
When you think of the 1950s, there are really two common silhouettes. The first is the nipped in waist and the full skirt. That look is pretty flattering on myself and one I enjoy drawing, but there is another look that was equally popular.
That is the narrow skirted silhouette, like today’s suit from 1954 for the Mini-Maiden paper doll series. This design is featured in the Complete Fashion Sourcebook by John Peacock and is identified as being from 1954. My major problem with Peacock’s works is that he rarely states where he found the images he is illustrating, so it is very hard to know what the context of the suit is.
However, very similar designs can be found in many other places including the Everyday Fashions of the Fifties As Pictured in Sears Catalogs book from Dover publishing. Dover has a series of these books, one for each decade, and I could not recommend them enough.
A few more examples of this style from the 1950s can be seen in this vintage pattern cover, this vintage pattern cover and this vintage pattern cover. More 1950s fashion fun can be found on my 1950s fashion Pinterest board.
Sometimes, I think I wouldn’t mind wearing suits very day, because I love how they look. I don’t want to go back to the 1950s though, because as much as I like the clothing, I also like living in a era where the Civil Rights Act exists.
We’re on day three of our variety week and I want to know what you all think, so please let me know in a comment.
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This suit has a lovely silhouette. I imagine it in navy or gray…
I’m using Peacock’s book as inspiration for my angel doll and I find him equally frustrating! His illustration style bugs me, too, but that’s a different issue entirely.
I like the variety of posts. It’s important to enjoy creating & blogging. It is, after all, a hobby and should be fun.
Yeah, I would never use him as my only source for anything. I find is 20th century stuff pretty good. The older stuff has silhouette problems.