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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 Mini-Maiden Fantasy Gown Inspired by Hanfu

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Today’s Printable Paper Doll Inspirations: Fantasy versions of Hanfu Gowns like this one, this one and this one
A fantasy paper doll gown influenced by hanfu and the Tang Dynasty in China. A paper doll dress to print and color.
On Monday, I posted a Lord of the Rings Marisole Monday paper doll gown which was a very European fantasy look. It was, after all, based on English and French fashions form the Medieval era. Today’s Mini-Maiden paper doll gown was inspired by Chinese historical clothing.

The hanfu, specifically. There’s something about these gowns like this one and this one that I just think are so elegant. I realize they aren’t exactly historically accurate, but I think they are still beautiful.

And lord knows, I’ve never been one to let a lack of historical accuracy stop me.

I think this would be a fun dress to color and I might even add some pattern to the long outer robe, if I were to color it, I think.

Most of my inspiration for today’s paper doll gown comes from Pinterest. Gowns like this one, this one and this one from my Fantasy Clothing Pinterest board. More examples would be this dress and this dress.

Personally, I love wandering around, metaphorically speaking, on Pinterest. I always see things and I think, “Huh. I want to draw that.”

Love this dress? Hate it? Let me know in a comment. I always love to hear from you all.

Need a Mini-Maiden paper doll to wear today’s outfit? Pick a Mini-Maiden Paper Doll Here.

Margot of Marisole Monday & Friend’s as an Medieval Princess

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Today’s Printable Paper Doll Inspirations: Traditional Epic Medieval Inspired Fantasy
A printable paper doll of a medieval princess with a gown and two pairs of shoes. Part of the Marisole Monday & Friend's collection of printable paper dolls from paperthinpersonas.com.

A printable paper doll of a medieval princess with a gown and two pairs of shoes to print and color. Part of the Marisole Monday & Friend's collection of printable paper dolls from paperthinpersonas.com.

It was a wet stormy Sunday this weekend. I usually write the week’s posts in a batch on Sunday. The remnants of tropical storm Nate took out the power for my apartment, so I spent a lot of Sunday sitting by the window with a cat on my lap reading a book. It would have been relaxing, but I kept worrying about the dishes and laundry I needed to do before Monday.

Fortunately, power was restored in the late afternoon. As I write there, there are clothes being washed and the dishwasher is hard at work. (I love dishwashers.)

I felt like drawing a gown. Something medieval and fantasy. My patrons voted at the beginning of the year and asked for more Lord of the Rings inspired fantasy sets. When I think of Lord of the Rings, I tend to think of traditional medieval influenced fantasy. (Also, hairy feet, but I don’t imagine I’ll be drawing those in the future.)

Today’s paper doll is Margot, because I hadn’t posted a paper doll of her in almost a year, I realized. So, I made this paper dolls.  She’s got red hair (you all know I love red hair) and two pairs of shoes.

If you think she needs more dresses of a similar style than I would refer you to this post, this post, this post, and this post. I didn’t realize how long it has been since I drew a traditional fantasy gown for the Marisole Monday & Friends paper dolls.

I may need to fix that.

And everything in the medieval inspired section of the site.

On my Patreon page, there’s a different color scheme for you to download. And you don’t have to be a patron to see it or download it. Though if you want to donate to help support the blog, that’s always appreciated and helpful.

Need a more outfits for today’s Marisole Monday & Friends Paper Doll? Find More Clothing Here. 

Poppets Paper Dolls’ Tunic and Leggings for Spring

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Today’s Printable Paper Doll Inspirations: Leggings and Tunics
A pale blue tunic with bright pink capri leggings for the Poppet's printable paper dolls.

Contemporary kids clothing for the Poppets printable paper doll series from paperthinpersonas.com.

Simple, cute, and spring-like, today’s Poppet’s outfit was largely inspired by what I see actual children wearing. I wanted simplicity and sweetness which are not traits I generally associate with my work. I tend towards the more complicated.

Also, I’ve done a lot of Poppets series paper doll clothing lately. I can always return to the Fairy Tales and Nursery Rythmes series and the 1920s Children’s Wardrobe Collection another day. Today is for something sweet and cute.

It’s hard to get cuter than ruffles and a heart, after all.

Originally, I had some plays for a more grey and yellow color scheme. Truth be told however, I really found that I liked the absurd sweetness of the pink and sea glass blue.

For some reason, this whole outfit just feels like spring to me. I’m not craving spring. It’s autumn and I love autumn, but this outfit doesn’t feel autumnal.

Need a paper doll to wear today’s outfit? Pick a Poppet 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

A New Isadora Mini-Maiden Paper Doll to Color

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Today’s Printable Paper Doll Inspirations: Fall Fashions

A paper doll to color and print out from paperthinpersonas.com with a dress, contemporary hair cut and two pairs of shoes. Part of the Mini-Maiden series.
It does feel like autumn might finally be coming to Alabama. The weather is starting to cool down and today was just beautiful. I spent part of the weekend at the local botanical gardens. They are free and a wonderful place to go walking. I really enjoyed them and I want to go back again.

Today’s Mini-Maiden paper doll is Isadora who I haven’t featured since March when she was a faun. Isadora is named for Isadora Duncan, the dancer. I can’t remember if I mentioned that recently, but someone asked me how I name my paper dolls a while back and I was like, “Well… kinda randomly, truth be told.”

Anyway, I’ve been going through the fashion magazines of the season. I am ready for boots and I am ready for tights. Isadora doesn’t have tights, but she does have some fun boots. I love autumn and winter. They are by far my favorite seasons in Alabama.

Her other shoes are more formal. I thought her dress could go either way depending on the shoes. I also try to draw extra shoes when I draw dolls. An old habit from my full color dolls with skin tones.

Isadora, being in black and white, is a paper doll you can color anyway you wish. That’s part of the flexibility of black and white paper dolls.

I confess though, I was never a big “colorer” as a kid, so I still prefer the ones in color.

I hope everyone is having a great Monday and let me know what you think if today’s Isadora in a comment.

And if you love the blog, think about becoming a Patron, following it on Facebook or telling a friend about it.

Need a more outfits for today’s Mini-Maiden Paper Doll? Find More Clothing Here. 

A Paper Doll Outfit From the Year I Graduated High School

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Today’s Printable Paper Doll Inspirations:Fashion from When I Graduated High School
A black and white paper doll outfit coloring page from the year 2003, which was the year I graduated high school.
As a lot of you know, I grew up in Alaska. I love my home state and I miss it all the time. Alaska is both totally unique and totally beautiful. It will always be my home, but when it come to fashion, Alaska isn’t exactly cutting edge. In fact, it always took a while for styles to filter there way up the 49th state.

So, Julie of Paper Doll School, Boots of Popculture Looking Land, Miss Missy of Miss. Missy’s Paper Dolls and I decided on drawing a paper doll outfit from the year each of us graduate high school for the Collaborative Paper Doll 2017 Project. I graduated in 2003 and this is what I remember girls wearing.

I have no idea if it really is what was in style in 2003 is the point I am trying to make.

What I remember from that era (nearly 15 years ago which is crazy) is that the jeans were low rise and boot cut. The shirt were shorter and had tight sleeves. The shoes were heavy chunky boots.

These are all the things I recall from my high school years and I decided to include them in today’s paper doll outfit celebrating the year I graduated high school back in 2003.

Want to see more outfits from the Collaborative Paper Doll 2017 Project?

Go check out Julie of Paper Doll School, Boots of Popculture Looking Land and Miss Missy of Miss. Missy’s Paper Dolls. They maybe posting their outfits in the next few days or today. The end of September snuck up on all of us.

By the way, I feel like I should add that while I drew this paper doll outfit, I am in no way nostalgic for high school. There’s basically no force on this planet that would make me want to return to that period of my life. Seriously.

Need a doll to wear this stylish outfit? Grab the Doll here. 

The Sprites And Their Pulpy Fantasy Armor

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Today’s Printable Paper Doll Inspirations: I always blame these forays into pulpy absurd fantasy armor on Xena: Warrior PrincessA set of paper doll fantasy armor of the Sprites printable paper doll series inspired by Xena: Warrior Princess and other pulpy fantasy.

A set of paper doll fantasy armor of the Sprites printable paper doll series inspired by Xena: Warrior Princess and other pulpy fantasy.

Because working full time and going to school is hard, I have been trying to get a whole week’s of blog posts scheduled each weekend. As, I sat down to schedule this next week I was struck by the lack of content.

While I was worrying about how I was going to get through the next two weeks, I stumbled across today’s pulpy fantasy set for the Sprites paper dolls.

I don’t know why I had forgotten about it. It was all done, except for layout. Why I hadn’t done the layout, I don’t know. I drew and colored it at the same time I colored the Regency set and this fantasy set that I posted earlier.

Still, who I am to look a gift horse in the mouth. So, this Monday here’s a new Sprites set. I love pulpy fantasy sets. I blame this on having watched a lot of Xena: Warrior Princess at an impressionable age. I also feel like I draw enough practical paper doll armor, that I can get away with also drawing totally impractical paper doll armor.

As for the rest of the week, on Wednesday there will be a new addition to the Poppets 1920s collection. Friday, you can look forward to the September edition of the 2017 Paper Doll Collaboration.

Love the blog? Become a Patron. It really helps.

Looking for some Sprite paper dolls to wear these outfits? Pick out Sprite paper dolls 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!

Mini-Maiden’s Romantic Princess Gown

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Today’s Printable Paper Doll Inspirations: This Dress from Pinterest
A romantic fantasy gown for the Mini-Maiden paper doll series.
Today’s paper doll dress was very heavily influenced by this dress on Pinterest. It’s not an exact replica, but it is really very close.I really loved the romantic style of the dress. It just felt so fairy tale to me.

The ribbon detailing on the sleeves and the bodice was one of the things that drew me to the dress. I didn’t like how  the bodice and the waist seam cut off the lines of the dress, so I changed that for my version.

I sometimes feel a little guilting drawing such close replicas to other’s designs, but I also know that clothing designs can’t be copyrighted, so I refuse to feel too guilty about it.

In my head, this is the sort of paper doll gown that a paper doll wears while lounging on a stone bench in the garden near a fountain playing her stringed instrument and looking super amazing. It is the opposite of these fantasy outfits.

There is no practicality here at all, except perhaps her shoes which I wanted to be simple given the complexity of the dress.

I do regret not doing some pattern on the trimming on the shoes, but I shall survive.

Meanwhile, I am three weeks into my graduate program. So far things are going pretty well. I have more work ahead of me, but I am feeling pretty confident about it.

I will admit that I’ve been struggling to find time to draw. I want to draw, but somehow I can’t seem to quite get into the right mental place to let things go and just relax into the process.

Friday there’s an amazing paper doll dress planned. A 15th century Burgundian gown for the Ms. Mannequin series. It’s glorious.

Also, Rosh Hashanah starts tonight at sunset, so Shana Tova everyone! May your new year be sweet.