Paper dolls were one of my favorite childhood “toys.” My sister and I amassed giant collections and every so often I’ll go through them and take a walk down memory lane…and it is fabulous every time, I assure you. I blame paper dolls for igniting my passion for style and fashion—especially Tom Tierney, who put biographical and historical information about the designs on the covers of his paper doll books. Tierney, by the way, is a paper doll master: truly the best in his trade. Ironically, my favorite paper dolls though, weren’t by Tierney at all, but in this rather unassuming book by Susan Johnston. Godey’s Lady’s Book was one of the first fashion magazines in the U.S. and this paper doll collection amasses some of the major designs featured in it. Godey’s was published between 1840 and 1854, by the way, styles which are reflected in this paper doll book. This book is massive—tons of outfits per doll, and if my memory serves me correctly, there are four or five dolls within it. The perfect starting piece for any collection—an excellent gift for young girls, too. Paper dolls are an ideal toy: imaginative, fun and a good building block for scissor skills. Here are some other wonderful paper doll books you should check out: Chanel Fashion Review Paper Dolls Newport Fashions of the Gilded Age Great Fashion Designs of the 30’s French Fashion Designers: 1900-1950 Gibson Girls Paper Dolls Southern Belles Paper Dolls Fashions of the Regency Period Great Fashion Designs of the 50’s

Paper dolls were one of my favorite childhood “toys.” My sister and I amassed giant collections and every so often I’ll go through them and take a walk down memory lane…and it is fabulous every time, I assure you.

I blame paper dolls for igniting my passion for style and fashion—especially Tom Tierney, who put biographical and historical information about the designs on the covers of his paper doll books. Tierney, by the way, is a paper doll master: truly the best in his trade.

Ironically, my favorite paper dolls though, weren’t by Tierney at all, but in this rather unassuming book by Susan Johnston.

Godey’s Lady’s Book was one of the first fashion magazines in the U.S. and this paper doll collection amasses some of the major designs featured in it. Godey’s was published between 1840 and 1854, by the way, styles which are reflected in this paper doll book.

This book is massive—tons of outfits per doll, and if my memory serves me correctly, there are four or five dolls within it. The perfect starting piece for any collection—an excellent gift for young girls, too. Paper dolls are an ideal toy: imaginative, fun and a good building block for scissor skills.

Here are some other wonderful paper doll books you should check out:

Tags: dailyinspiration paper dolls fashion style toys childhood