Coloring Books for adults broke open the notion that we don’t have to give up the things we loved as kids, and paper dolls were always one of my favorite things so why not paper dolls for adults? I didn’t have lots of pretty clothes growing up but my paper dolls did so I could live vicariously through their gorgeous gowns and fabulous hats.
You will need excellent fussy-cutting scissors to cut out the clothes so check this page too.
Paper Dolls for Adults by Dover Publications
Dover Paper Dolls for Adults have been around for years, I’m so sorry I missed out on these for so long. Do know that in these books you do have to cut out the paper dolls and the clothing yourself but that’s really ok, I remember having to punch them out as a kid and you often ripped a piece of the outfit or the tab off. The “dolls” are also made of paper of the same thickness, so we recommend gluing them to some cardstock so they will be easier to dress and undress. Dover Publications has HUNDREDS of paper dolls to choose from here.. We have highlighted a few of our favorites below. Etsy also offers some paper dolls for adults here.
Ryan Gosling: Paper Boy
I mean really, how awesome is this? Click to Order Amazon US, UK or Canada
Frida Kahlo Paper Dolls
If you are a fan of this iconic Mexican female artist then you’ll want this set. Critics say she is depicted a little too “pretty” and not with her own unique beauty but the clothes included are fabulous. Click to Order Amazon US, UK or Canada
Prince Harry & Meghan Markel Paper Doll Set
Even if you aren’t obsessed by all things Royal, Meghan and Harry have sparked interested worldwide. Both Harry & Meghan have several outfits for you to choose from. Click to Order Amazon US, UK or Canada
Printable Paper Dolls
Paperthin Personas for Idle Hands
I just love Rachel’s paper dolls! These are ready to print and color and cut out. Her designs cover all sorts of genres and are priced well.
Dressing Your Octopus: A Paper Doll Book For Domesticated Cephalopods
Brian Kessinger illustrates several books for Octopus enthusiasts including this paper doll one, Coloring with your Octopus and more. Check out his work here.
One reviewer advises to not remove the octopus’ head as the instructions say to do, another says to be sure to go all the way through the book before you cut anything to enjoy the clever way it’s put together. Click to Order Amazon US, UK or Canada
Grav3yardGirl Paper Dolls
Fashion YouTube Stylist Grav3yardGirl, aka Bunny Meyer, will love these paper dolls.
This set contains 2 dolls & 34 outfits featuring Grav3YardGirl. Click to Order Amazon US, UK or Canada.
Grumpy Cat Paper Dolls
Great Fashion Designers of the 60’s Paper Dolls
Classic TV Mom’s Celebrity Paper Dolls
June Cleaver, Carol Brady, Peg Bundy and Claire Huxtable grace the cover of this fun paper dolls for adults coloring book. Click to order Amazon US, UK & Canada
Yves St. Laurent Fashion Paper Dolls for Adults
Henry the VIII and his Wives Paper Dolls
Glamorous Stars of the Forties Fashion Paper Dolls
Robert E. Lee & Family Paper Dolls for Adults
Civil War attire for both men and women both military and civilian. It contains 20 dolls and costumes on 16 plates Click to Order Amazon US, UK & Canada
English Country Downton Abbey Style Paper Dolls
Southern Belle Ball Gown Paper Dolls for Adults
French Fashion Designers Paper Dolls
This book has clothing fashions from 1900-1950. I think the ’50s had some of the most flattering fashions for real women of all time. I so wish I’d kept my mom’s dresses from that time period. Click to Order Amazon US, UK or Canada
Alice in Wonderland Paper Dolls – an all-new look through the looking glass
This illustrator had taken Alice on a stroll through Steampunk and it’s awesome! Click to Order Alice on Amazon UK, US & Canada
Steampunk Paper Dolls
These paper dolls are quite intricate so don’t forget to give your fingers a break while you are cutting them out. Click to Order Amazon US, UK or Canada
Steampunk Vixens Paper Dolls
Corset Couture Paper Dolls
Naughty Girls Paper Dolls
Pin-up girls from the ’20s are the inspiration for this book Click to Order Amazon UK, US or Canada
Pin-up Girls of WWII Paper Dolls
The stars include Betty Grable, Rita Hayworth, Lana Turner, Susan Hayward, Veronica Lake, Ginger Rogers and more in some iconic outfits to cut out. Click to Order Amazon UK, US or Canada
Award-Winning Fashions of Edith Head Paper Dolls
Great Costumes from Classic Movies Paper Dolls
Brides from Around the World Paperdolls
Famous African American Women Paper Dolls
You can explore African American history in the form of paper dolls. Click to order Amazon US, UK & Canada
Book Character Paper Dolls for Adults
Characters from the classic book Meg, Jo, Beth, and Amy are here with 16 different mid-Victorian outfits based on scenes from the book. Click to order Amazon US, UK & Canada
Favorite Storybook Characters Paper Dolls for Grownups
Dorothy from The Wonderful Wizard of Oz, Wendy Darling from Peter Pan, The Secret Garden‘s Mary Lennox, and many more favorite characters come to life in the paper doll book. The girls all look exactly the same other for different hair colors but of course, the outfits will be different. Click to order Amazon US, UK & Canada
Little House on the Prairie Paper Dolls – The Big Woods Collection
Even though the description of these says they are punch out, in fact, they are NOT. The characters and a few other items punch out, but like all the others, these do require you to cut out the outfits carefully. I have decided that is actually part of the fun of this old-school pastime. Click to order Amazon US, UK & Canada
Just in case you missed out on Little House books, here are some links to the classics and more
- Little House Books
- Little House Coloring Book For grown-ups
- Little House Cookbook
- Little House Craft Projects
Mary Engelbreit’s Paper Dolls
Child’s Play Featuring Ann Estelle: A Paper Doll Book
This set contains 4 dolls plus 15 outfits all in the adorable artist’s style. The dolls are punch out but the outfits require scissors. These are simpler cut outs than the others so might be more suitable for seniors looking to play again. Click to order Amazon US, UK & Canada
As we said in the intro, you do need to carefully cut out these paper dolls and we recommend detail scissors like these from Tim Holtz or these with the nice cutting guard.
We also ran across these in our research…
Political Paper Dolls for Adults
Hillary Clinton Paper Dolls and Playset
This book includes 100 perforated paper dolls, 3 rooms, Republican adversaries, Supreme Court Justices, pantsuits and pajamas, Secret Service protection, White House ghosts and the list continues. Click to Order Amazon US, UK & Canada
Political Circus Inaction Figures
A collectible edition of 52 paper dolls for grownups takes a witty look at the 2012 crop of Republican candidates, Democratic cabinet members, and pundits of every persuasion, adult content included! Click to Order Amazon US, UK & Canada
President Barrack Obama Commemorative Inaugural Edition
Michelle Obama Fashion Paper Dolls
Fashions of the First Ladies Paper Dolls
Includes Nancy Reagan, Jacqueline Kennedy, Hillary Clinton and Michelle Obama. Click to order Amazon US, UK & Canada
These three campaign editions include facts and fun about each Presidential candidate as well as clothes to dress them up in.
Hilary Clinton Paper Doll Campaign Edition
Donald Trump Paper Doll Campaign Edition
Bernie Sanders Paper Doll Campaign Edition
GLBT Paper Dolls
Life’s a Drag
Dover Celebrity Paper Dolls include Jerry Lewis, Milton Berle, Tyler Perry, and RuPaul — as well as actors such as Barbra Streisand in Yentl, Dustin Hoffman in Tootsie, and Robin Williams in Mrs. Doubtfire. Mature content. Click to Purchase Amazon US, UK or Canada
RuPaul’s Drag Race – Paper Doll Book
Includes winner of RuPaul’s TV show from past seasons Click to Order Amazon US, UK or Canada
Dr. Who Paper Dolls
Pope Francis Paper Dolls
Punch Out Paper Dolls
Most paper dolls designed for grownups have to be cut out but there are a couple that I found that are punched out.
Flower Fairies Paper Dolls
Amazon gives you quite a few views of the inside pages of this book so you can take a look at some of the gorgeous illustrations before you buy.
Cicely Mary Barker has an entire line of Flower Fairies book to check out too including journals, sticker books, and postcards. Click to Order Amazon US, UK or Canada
Free Paper dolls to print and cut out here.
Or Make Your Own Paperdolls with Stencils here.
You might also want to explore these adult activity books below
¡Hola autor! ¡Me ha encantado tu artículo sobre los libros de recortables para adultos! Debo admitir que cuando vi el título, no sabía qué esperar, pero ahora estoy emocionada por la idea de tener mi propia colección de muñecas de papel y ropa fabulosa. Al igual que tú, las muñecas de papel eran una de mis cosas favoritas cuando era niña, y la idea de revivir esa nostalgia mientras disfruto de diseños de moda para adultos suena simplemente genial.
Es fantástico que mencionaras las opciones de libros de recortables disponibles, ¡hay tantas para elegir! Me llamaron especialmente la atención las colecciones de famosos como Ryan Gosling y Frida Kahlo. Y no puedo evitar sonreír al pensar en vestir a un octopus de papel, ¡qué original! Definitivamente, necesitaré unas buenas tijeras de corte meticuloso, como las que sugeriste, para asegurarme de que mis muñecas de papel tengan la mejor apariencia posible.
Gracias por compartir esta interesante e inesperada afición. No puedo esperar para sumergirme en el mundo de los libros de recortables para adultos y revivir un poco mi niñez de una manera nueva y emocionante. ¡Un saludo y gracias por la inspiración!
¡Sí, de hecho! Estoy tan contenta de que vayas a
recuerda tu infancia. ¡Que divertido!
Espero que tengas un maravilloso día.
Christina – La adicta a los libros para colorear.
I’ve just come across your article about paper dolls for adults on Coloring Book Addict, and it’s a delightful and unique concept! Paper dolls are a nostalgic and creative way to enjoy coloring and design. Your exploration of this topic is both fun and inspiring. Thanks for sharing this creative avenue with your readers!
It does bring back hours of time spent punching out the outfits…. 🙂