contemporary

Vertical Curves: Contemporary Clothing!

Fashionable paper dolls with jeans and a striped top! Super Cute. Easy to color paper doll clothing page!

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

Every year in March during Spring Fashion Week the big fashion magazines bring out their issues on the trends for the next year. It’s one of the few times I buy fashion magazines, because I love getting to see what’s on the runways.

I know there’s lot of websites that do the same thing, but maybe it’s because I stare at a computer screen most of the day (and even more now that I’m working from home!) that I really find myself craving something that isn’t digital to look at. So, I still pick up my fashion magazines and crack them open.

Inspiration

So, I was pouring through the fashion magazines for March and I noticed a lot of these sort of soft tie-dyed stripes. Well, I can’t draw soft tie dye very well in pen and ink, so I decided to do this instead. It’s sort of an soft semi-monochrome stripe.

Also, just fyi, the new Jewels and Gemstones 2.0 I mentioned last week will debut next week. I am super excited about this.

Ask me if you have any questions!

And if you want more Jewels and Gemstones clothing, check out the Patreon page.

Cropped Sweater with Flared Jeans

Cropped sweater and flared jeans for my printable paper dolls in color for printing and playing with. Cropped sweater and flared jeans for my printable paper dolls in black and white for printing and coloring. Free paper doll clothing sheet.

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

I wanted to draw some more contemporary clothing for the Jewels and Gemstones paper dolls. I’ve been thinking a lot more about creating print products and what that might look like. So, the desire to have a robust mix and match set that could be eventually turned into a printed set has been on my mind. 

To do that, however, I need more mix and match option for the Jewels and Gemstones- hence the desire for more contemporary clothing for them. 

Inspiration for Today’s Paper Doll Outfit

My sister wore an outfit like this one when I was visiting her for Thanksgiving this year. Cropped tops with high waisted pants are very much still in style- though I openly confess that it is not a look that I wear very often. My sister is more adventurous when it comes to clothing than I am.

Specific Source Images: Sweaters like this example and this example

Learn & See More

On the Blog: More Jewels & Gemstones paper dolls & more Sweaters for Paper Dolls
Around the Internet: Hmmm… I don’t know. Not sure what to link to for cropped sweaters and jeans today.

Last Thoughts on Today’s Paper Doll Fashion

I was a child of the late 1990s and early 2000s, so back when I was younger the look was cropped tops and low slung jeans. I do think the high waisted pants with crop tops is a bit more of a forgiving style, as the other is pretty hard to wear unless you have amazing abs.

(I do not have amazing abs.)

If you enjoy my paper dolls and want more paper doll goodness every week, head over to Patreon where I post an extra Friday paper doll outfit and have some other super fun project going including my 365 Day project where I am sharing a paper doll piece every day.

(Okay, almost every day, I’ve missed two days so far, but I’ve caught up. Progress, no perfection.)

Wintertime Nightgowns

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

Thoughts on Today’s Paper Doll
Sleepwear is something I don’t seem to draw very much. I don’t know why, but it just doesn’t seem to happen. Both of these nightgowns could also be dresses, I suppose, if one was feeling super casual.

I specifically wanted to do a whimsical design on the pink nightgown to feel like something you might see as a novelty print.

Inspiration for Today’s Paper Doll
Well… night gowns? I mean… I don’t draw a lot of paper doll sleepwear, so I wanted to make those, plus I’ve been working on some paper doll sleepwear for my Etsy paper dolls.

Specific Source Images: Nothing particular today.

Learn/See More
On the Blog: More Jewels & Gemstones paper dolls 
Around the Internet: Well, I tried to find a history of Novelty Prints and was totally unsuccessful, so nothing today… 

Last Thoughts

I hope everyone is having a great December. I’m taking a little holiday break from the blog here from the 15th until January 2020. I’m off to visit family! Meanwhile, there’s plenty of paper dolls here to explore.

Denim & A Bloom- Paper Doll Jeans!

A set of paper doll clothing with a pair of jeans, a pair of jean shorts and a t-shirt with a floral design on it.

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

Thoughts on Today’s Paper Doll
So, I think of these paper doll posts in two ways. On one hand, each posts needs to be complete in and of itself. Like, I try not to just post a random pair of boots and nothing else, you know? On the flip side, I also think of them as all being part of the Jewels and Gemstones series and therefore part of a large art piece. So, they are not individual creations and bits of a bigger creation.

As a result, I was realizing I didn’t really have a lot of like basics for the Jewels and Gemstones. I’ve only done one pair of jeans so far. That seemed like a hole I should fill.

Inspiration for Today’s Paper Doll
I feel like someone asked for shorts and a t-shirt, but I also wanted to just draw some basics. Jeans and a shirt and shorts. They can be mixed and matched with all the other Jewels and Gemstones contemporary clothing.

Specific Source Images: This one was a big influence on my Firebird design.

Learn/See More
On the Blog: The One Other Pair of Jeans & More Jewels & Gemstones paper dolls
Around the Internet: Hmmm… I had no idea what to link here, so let’s just move on!

Last Thoughts
I’ve noticed there’s a lot of really unexpected color schemes in floral patterns these days, so I wanted to match that when I picked out colors for today’s set. I really didn’t want to make it a pink flower, though that was my first instinct.

If you’d like an extra paper doll outfit every week, join us on Patreon. It’s super fun.

Opal and her Party Dress

A printable Asian paper doll named Opal with a pale blue cocktail dress and two pairs of formal shoes. Free to print from paperthinpersonas.com.

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

Thoughts on Today’s Paper Doll
I really wanted to do a series of paper dolls with party dresses. Mostly, because I realized I’d managed to create basically no party dresses for the Jewels and Gemstones. Also, it’s really easy to fit in two pairs of shoes and one dress in the layouts. Opal was the first of the Jewels and Gemstones to debut, but as been kinda neglected since then. I have one other Asian paper doll, Diamond, but Opal was the first.

Plus, I really do love the name Opal.

Inspiration for Today’s Paper Doll
My two goals with today’s outfit were- casual and summer. I really wanted to make something cute and also spring like. I mostly did that through color, but I have been seeing a lot of striped patterns with floral motifs on top of them. So, the striped shirt with the flower is my ode to that style.

Specific Source Images: This Dress, This Dress and This Dress

Learn/See More
On the Blog: More Jewels & Gemstones paper dolls & More Asian paper dolls
Around the Internet: My Formal Gowns/Cocktail Dresses Pinterest Board

Last Thoughts

Want an extra paper doll content every week? Check out the Patreon

Additionally, I think it is kinda important to make an Asian paper doll wearing non-Asian traditional dress, because when I was a kid all the Asian paper dolls I had were in things like Traditional Japanese Fashions Paper Dolls and Traditional Chinese Fashion Paper Dolls. I think the diversity in paper dolls (and dolls in general) has improved a lot in the last ten years, but there’s still a long way to go.

Ruffle Sleeves and Crop Pants

Summer time paper doll clothing with a coral blouse with ruffled sleeves, crop pants and a wrap skirt. Free to print from paperthingpersonas.com.

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

Thoughts on Today’s Paper Doll
You spend anytime watching fashion, as I do, and you pretty quickly see that sleeves are the THING at the moment. Sleeve details are everywhere. Personally, I think a lot of them are pretty fun- also a lot of them are pretty absurd.

Anyway, today’s post is, like the ruffled tunic, the preppy summer polka-dots (patron exclusive) and the tropical mini-dresses one I designed after looking at a lot of summer fashion magazines and wanting to make sure the Jewels and Gemstones got some fun summer fashions.

Inspiration for Today’s Paper Doll
As with the other paper doll outfits I’ve made in this summery collection. I based the colors off the Pantone 2019 Spring Color trend report. It predicted the coral would be the color of the season, so I wanted to make sure I used that color.

Specific Source Images: I used Instyle March 2019 issue– their big Spring Fashion report.  Sometimes it is super nice to get away from screens, you know?

Learn/See More
On the Blog: More Jewels & Gemstones paper dolls
Around the Internet: Pantone’s Spring 2019 Color Report (I know I’ve linked to it before, but it’s kinda the reason I did these, after all.)

Last Thoughts
It’s been a super hot summer here in Alabama. I am not a heat person. I hate the heat. I grew up in Alaska. I am a cold weather soul. You can dress for the cold weather. At some point, you can’t take off more clothing (and not get arrested.)

By the way, while I am not prioritizing keeping blog posts regular (too much in my life), I am making sure I get my weekly Patreon Paper doll up, so head over there to join and see those.

A Long Ruffled Tunic, Peddle-Pushers & Shorts

A ruffled tunic inspired by the Spring 2019 fashion trends for the Jewels and Gemstones curvy paper dolls series. Also, shorts and cropped pants.

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

Thoughts on Today’s Paper Doll
I really love how clothing changes with the seasons. Maybe, because I grew up in Alaska where there were really only two seasons- rain and icy rain. But then I moved to the midwest and there were four seasons and I was quite happy to discover fall and spring.

Now I live in the South where, I confess, there really are once again two seasons- chilly and so hot you want to die. There’s a short period between these that is relatively pleasant, but this spring has been brutally hot.

So, I try to pick up the big fashion magazine issues in March and September, which tend to be thick with forecasts on what is coming down the pike in the fashion world. Not coincidentally, this lines up with Fashion Week in New York.

Inspiration for Today’s Paper Doll
The color comes from the Pantone 2019 Spring Color trend report which predicts the popular colors each year in home goods and fashion. One of the trends that is very popular at the moment is ruffles, so that was part of my inspiration here. I added in some shorts and white peddle pushers, because I was also thinking about paper doll wardrobe building and those are such great basic pieces.

Specific Source Images: I used Instyle March 2019 issue– their big Spring Fashion report.  Often when I draw, I like to get away from screens.

Learn/See More
On the Blog: More Jewels & Gemstones paper dolls
Around the Internet: Pantone’s Spring 2019 Color Report & An Article about the Importance of Ruffles

Last Thoughts
I have fun drawing all sorts of things, but I try to mix it up. I know my favorite paper dolls as a child were historical or fantasy, but I like drawing contemporary fashion. It feels real and meaningful for paper dolls to be reflective of their time-period. Plus, not all my readers are me.

Love the blog? Want to help support it? Become a Patron.

What’s your favorite style of paper doll? Let me know in a comment. I’m super curious.

Tropical Mini-Dresses

A pair of mini-sundresses with ruffles inspired by the Trends of 2019 for volume and ruffles. One is printed with a tropical print and the other is high necked and two layers. Both can be printed for the Jewels and Gemstones paper doll series. There is a matching purse as well.

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

Thoughts on Today’s Paper Doll
It seemed long past time that I created some summer time casual clothing for the Jewels & Gemstones, since summer is fast approaching. It’s already May after all.

Every March and September the fashion magazines usually report on the Spring and Fall New York Fashion weeks which means those magazines are the big fashion issues for the year. This is getting less and less true with the internet, but I still like to pick up magazines in those months.

Inspiration for Today’s Paper Doll
My fashion magazines tell me that Tropical prints are still in style this next year and volume seems to be a real trend as well, so I designed these two dresses. The color scheme comes from the Pantone 2019 Spring Color trend report.

Specific Source Images: Nothing I can link to this time, because I used Instyle March 2019 issue, which is their big Spring Fashion report.  Sometimes I like doing paper research.

Learn/See More
On the Blog: More Jewels & Gemstones paper dolls
Around the Internet: Pantone’s Spring 2019 Color Report & Harper’s Bazaar on the Spring 2019 Trends

Last Thoughts
While I love drawing fantasy things and that tends to be my usual style, I also really enjoy taking breaks for forays into contemporary style. My favorite paper dolls as a child were historical ones and that’s also a favorite style, but it usually requires research and sometimes I just want to draw.

This is actually the first of several pieces I have drawn that are summer contemporary fashions. Some of those sets are going to be for Patrons and some will show up here.

So, are you happy for summer fashion? I personally am more of a fall person, but that’s just me. Let me know in a comment.

Sweet Style for March 2019! Collaboration Paper Doll

A coloring page focused on food/sweet fashion clothing.

Black and White PDF | More of the Paper Doll Collaboration 2019

Thoughts on Today’s Paper Doll
As my long time readers know, I’ve teamed up with some amazing paper doll artists around the internet Julie of Paper Doll School, Melissa of Miss. Missy’s Paper Dolls  and Boots of Popculture and Paper Dolls to create a shared paper doll project every month.

Life was nuts last month, so I skipped it, but this month I was excited for the “sweet/food” clothing theme. I chose to keep things kinda simple by using food items as graphics on some contemporary clothing pieces.

Inspiration for Today’s Paper Doll
My two big inspirations were sprinkles and the things that sprinkles can go on- cupcakes and ice-cream cones.

Specific Source Images: Nothing really specific this time.

Learn/See More
On the Blog: There’s the 2017 Collaborative Paper Doll Project and the 2018 Collaborative Paper Doll Project
Around the Internet: My partners in crime- the lovely Julie of Paper Doll School, the remarkable Melissa of Miss. Missy’s Paper Dolls, and the delightful Boots of Popculture and Paper Dolls

Last Thoughts

Be sure to check out the versions of this today’s theme from Paper Doll School, Miss. Missy’s Paper Dolls and Popculture and Paper Dolls.

We all looked at it quite differently, which for me is my favorite part of this process. I love seeing how different people create for the same theme.

Winter Fashion Week: Skirt & Boots

Paper Doll clothing! A skirt and boots and super cute triangle covered top. Print these in color or in black and white for coloring! Super Cute Coloring Pages for Kids or Adults who like to color.

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

Thoughts on Today’s Paper Doll
As I was working on Winter fashion week, I knew I wanted a set of mix and match clothing options. So, a dress, jeans, sweater, skirt and top all seemed like logical pieces to include, plus I liked the idea of something else that could be worn with those super cute navy tights I drew for Tuesday’s outfit.

I’d already done black boots do with with Wednesday’s outfit, so I wanted brown boots to go with today’s outfit.

Inspiration for Today’s Paper Doll
I wanted to mention that I use Pinterest a lot for collecting source images. So, I knew I wanted a skirt and boots, both of those come from Pinterest. The top was my creation. I wanted to keep with my geometric patterns that have been such a strong part of this collection.

Specific Source Images: These boots and this skirt, both of which I found on Pinterest.

Learn/See More
On the Blog: This is my first ever belly dance costume! But here’s More Jewels & Gemstones Paper Dolls
Around the Internet: Wikipedia on Zill, a fascinating history of belly dance, an article on appropriation in belly dance and an equally interesting response to said article
Last Thoughts
I’m super psyched to say that tomorrow, I am posting the first outfit and doll for Paper Doll Collab 2019. It’s going to be super fun. Also, there will be an exclusive outfit on Patreon that matches this week’s winter fashion theme.

Have you enjoyed this week? Ready for a break from contemporary fashion? Let me know in a comment.