My Dolls Click image to go to post

My Dolls Click image to go to post
WE LOVE COMMENTS!! Comment as Anonymous, just sign your name!!! Email me at: thesavagedollblog@gmail.com

Friday, March 13, 2026

Vintage doll Clothes!

On a recent visit to my Aunt in Texas,..

I found these vintage doll clothes
in an antique shop. I would guess these 
clothes are mostly from the 1940s - 50s.

Here are the outfits:

This playset for an 17 - 18" doll

This sweet pink taffeta coat, I am hoping
it might fit Daisy.

Another playset.

A little sweater and bloomers.

Grey shirt and bloomers.

And this cute wrap sand suit.

Everything was seperated by
lights and darks and soaked in
cold water.
Yes, that water is brown and this
is after two rinses!

While these are soaking let me
describe how I generally seek out
vintage and antique doll clothes.

Firstly, I created this chart to help
me figure out what will fit
my dolls.  It lists their shoulder to hem
length and a flat side to side
waist measurement.

My usual go-to is eBay simply
because I can see a HUGE sample
of what's out there.

I type in the search bar 
"Antique vintage doll clothes".

I mostly look for 1930s era doll dresses
as they are becoming more and 
more difficult to find, so I'll
focus on this style today.

It was helpful to me to do a little research about 
the styles of clothes from different eras.
This is a pattern for 1930s Patsy style dolls.

Notice the high or non-existent waist and
broad round collars. Patterns were
often whimsical like this dress with
children playing with hoops.

Sample of 1930s fabrics.
Over time, I have learned to recognize 
fabric styles from this and other eras.

Two examples of 1930s doll outfits I found 
online. The dress with a round Peter pan
collar and no waist and my favorite,
Joan's Pallazzo beach pants!


While working on this post I bought
this little dress from the 1940s or early 50s.
I can't help myself.  Just look
at that cute fabric pattern!

Anyway!

Most sellers of doll dresses know to give
the length, shoulder to hem, and...

The waist, side to side. If not shown in
a photo like this, check the description.
I also ask the seller for measurements if
there are none shown.

I saw this dress and liked it!

I think it might fit my Alexander Elise, 
so I made a bid!

BACK TO MY DOLL CLOTHES.
 FIND.

After 2 days I laid most of the clothes
out on a towel to dry. A couple items
needed more time to soak.

SO WHAT HAVE I GOT TO SHOW YOU?

Here is one of the playsuits. 
I mixed and matched the top and 
bottom to add more interest.
 It is not very feminine, so, later
I may try to add some cute touches.

This navy and grey stripe playset.

Bloomers and top for the beach maybe?
The shirts are all made the same with
large arm holes and a bit oversized.

And this grey skirt.  I like this set.
I may do a makeover on these outfits.

I was hoping this taffeta swing coat
might fit Daisy, but it was too slim.
Sigh.
It does fit Maggie, just maybe a tad small.

Finally something for Daisy!
This little knit sweater is adorable!

AND, this cute sandsuit!

I will make a pattern from this to
share with you all.

I am very happy with my doll clothes find!
Speaking of finds, do you want to see what 
I found online while creating this post?!?

You already knew I got this dress.

I also won the bid for this dress, 
I hope it fits Elise!

I got this mostly for the quilt top made from
1930s era fabrics! The little dresses
might fit my Patsyettes, if not 
I'll do something with them.

This Miss Revlon pink stripe dress.

AND, this apron dress, by Madame Alexander,
bloomers and stockings for Elise!

It is the same style as Cissy's blue dress.

SO, it looks like there may be more dress
reveals in the near future!

12 comments:

Sandra said...

I love all your great new finds. Just giving them a wash makes them so much better. And I am sure you will just keep that momentum going with adding your special touch to make them look their very best. You sure know how to have fun!

Maryn said...

What a great bunch of adorable outfits! I can't wait to see your personal touches!

Brenda Savage said...

Hi Sandra,
Thank you! I am so pleased with these new clothes. I am thinking about a makeover for them and what I want to do. SO many ideas in my head. So glad you were part of the fun!
Hugs
Brenda

Brenda Savage said...

Hi Mary,
Thank you! I was happy with how well some of these looked! I was not very hopeful about hte greys and the drab pink color. I am being pulloed in different directions about projects, but I know I just need to get to work!
Hugs
Brenda

Anna said...

Hi Brenda,
What a lucky find. I love all the outfits. The playsuits look so cute.The doll sizing chart is very useful too.
Have fun with your projects!
Anna

Anna said...

I forgot to say Daisy looks so sweet in her sandsuit.
Anna

Doreen, Arkansas said...

Hi Brenda, You are doing such a great job of finding and saving vintage dolly clothing that some mother or grandma lovingly made long ago. Even tho the colors may be drab...the styles accurately reflect the era. Make do with caste off family items at the time. So...I think you will find many ideas as to how to bring new life to these cute sets. Can't wait to see the transformation.
Enjoy the process, Doreen from Arkansas

Brenda Savage said...

Hi Anna,
Yes it was! I love finding these old doll clothes. I have found a lot like this 2 or 3 times in a 2nd hand shop. It's always so fun to see what's in the bag. So pleased you enjoyed seeing all I found and so glad you think the sizing chart is helpful.
Hugs
Brenda

Brenda Savage said...

Hi Doreen,
Thank you! As you pointed out, someone's mom or grandma lovingly made these outfits for some lucky little girl. I was gifted some 1930s baby dresses by a friend. I made them down to fit Sally Ann. You can see them if you do a search for "1930s Gift Doll Dresses" on my blog search line. I think that is why I always value these home-made dresses almost more than the tagged. I'm trying to get myself motivated to do some embroidery!
Hugs
Brenda

Brenda Savage said...

Hi Again Anna!
I agree that sandsuit it is SO cute! I have already made a pattern and sewn a practice sandsuit! I will post that later this week!
Hugs
Brenda

Anonymous said...

Always fun to find old doll clothes. I always like to imagine the mom, gramma, or aunt that took the time to sew them for a little girl that they loved. I used to have that vintage Patsy pattern in mint condition, but I sold it for nothing, lol. I don't have a Patsy and thought well, I'll probably never get one, but I wish I would've kept it as perfect as it was. Thanks for sharing! - Jennifer

Brenda Savage said...

Hi Jennifer,
It is fun! I get so excited when I find a bag of doll clothes. I have found the most amazing things. My Patsy pattern is a reprint of the original, but I have made several things from it. I realized it would fit my Daisy! I want to make her a pink sailor suit. Just my opinion, but I think you should get a Patsy!
Hugs
Brenda