Clara's 1940s Pajamas

This week, Clara has some more pajamas. Last week, they were from the 1930s, and this week, they're from the 1940s. Once again, the pajamas are two very different styles of nightwear — one is a lacy, ruffled nightdress, and the other is a practical, comfy pair of pajamas.

Clara would be very comfortable in either of these 1940s pajamas. The nightgown has a nice ruffled neckline trimmed with ribbon. The high geometrical waistline adds a stylish touch, and the soft a-line gown would create a flattering silhouette.

The two-piece pajamas are for a colder evening with long, blousy sleeves gathered loosely at the wrist. A sweetheart neckline was very popular in the 40s. The loose pants would be comfortable instead of restrictive.

To print Clara's pajamas, use this PDF file:

Clara's Dress 66 (764.5k)

Clara is a free, printable paper doll. Clara will be available on this blog as long as I continue to post new fashion pages for her. You can read the introduction for the Clara paper doll here.

To print the Clara paper doll, use this PDF file:

 The Clara Paper Doll (718k)

Clara's 1930s Pajamas

In the 1920s, lounge pajamas were quite fashionable as beachwear, worn to cover a bathing suit. As the decade progressed, pajamas were worn as day wear and even worn to parties.

In the movie Singin' in the Rain, which was set in 1927, Lena Lamont is wearing gorgeous silky pink and black pajamas on the movie set when she meets Donald Lockwood. And in the fashion scene, the model wears some outrageous fur-trimmed turquoise and green pajamas "for lounging in your boudoir."

By the 1930s, movie actresses had made pajamas into a popular fashion choice for wearing day or night, worn as a casual alternative to dressing up.

Clara’s pajamas are quite stylish, and she could wear them for day or night. The pajamas have a short-sleeved tunic top, tied with a soft silky bow, which was worn over soft, loose pants.

If the pajamas are a bit too avant-garde, Clara also has a long nightgown with butterfly sleeves and a high, curved waistline. Pinch pleats add a nice stylish accent to the yoke, and some piping adds extra detail.

To print Clara's pajamas & nightgown, use this PDF file:

Clara's Dress 65 (760.9k)

Clara is a free, printable paper doll. Clara will be available on this blog as long as I continue to post new fashion pages for her. You can read the introduction for the Clara paper doll here.

To print the Clara paper doll, use this PDF file:

 The Clara Paper Doll (718k)

Clara's Early 1970s Calico Dress

Oscar de la Renta is credited with creating the popularity of the maxi dress in 1968, when the long skirt appeared in a fashion show he created for the Elizabeth Arden Studio. However, maxi dresses and skirts were available as early as 1965, when they appeared in the movie Dr. Zhivago.

However, the long skirts took a while to catch on in the fashion world, so it took a few years for the style to be in vogue. Other fashion designers copied de la Renta, and by the early 70s, the maxi dress style was very popular. However, like any fashion fad, the long skirts were quickly dated and out of style by the end of the decade.

Clara’s dress has a simple shape created with wide bands of elastic. Eyelet lace trims the hem. This would be a very comfortable dress to wear, due to its loose form, and the elastic used. Comfortable, that is, at least as long as you didn't trip over the long skirt.

Clara’s shoes are simple pumps, worn with tall socks. Her hair is in a simple, 70s style haircut.

To print Clara's dress, use this PDF file:

Clara's Dress 64 (772.9k)

Clara is a free, printable paper doll. Clara will be available on this blog as long as I continue to post new fashion pages for her. You can read the introduction for the Clara paper doll here.

To print the Clara paper doll, use this PDF file:

 The Clara Paper Doll (718k)

Clara's 1965 Mod Dress

This week, we'll move up a decade to 1965. In reaction to the  form fitting shapes, lace and ribbons, decorations, and wide skirts of the 50s, designers started a new style for fashion. London was the center of the new Mod (short for modernist) fashion movement.

Mod fashion was characterized by clean, loose-fitting lines, and geometric shapes. Unique collars were also a characteristic of Mod fashion. Bright colors and bold fabric patterns were quite fashionable.

Clara’s dress follows the Mod style with a fitted waist, a scalloped collar, and a simple bow for decoration.

Simple ballet flats were a versatile choice for footwear.

And finally, a very typical sixties-style haircut finishes off Clara’s outfit.

To print Clara's dress, use this PDF file:

Clara's Dress 63 (759.6k)

Clara is a free, printable paper doll. Clara will be available on this blog as long as I continue to post new fashion pages for her. You can read the introduction for the Clara paper doll here.

To print the Clara paper doll, use this PDF file:

 The Clara Paper Doll (718k)