Barbie Fashion & Accessory Pack Haul

It has happened. I have started to give in to collecting Barbies too.

Starting a collection of a new kind of doll usually means starting with nothing clothing-wise. While I have patiently sewn and collected Animator’s and Ever After High outfits over a few years, I have decided to take the easier approach this time and buy a few basics to jump-start my Barbie wardrobe. Let’s see if they live up to expectations!

Note: Due to a problem with my SD card, I have lost nearly all my photos of the accessories still in the package. The above photo only shows a few of the items I will discuss. The remaining items were packaged in a similar style bags with the pink-striped background as well.

But first, let me briefly introduce my today’s model:

I bought this doll on sale for practically next to nothing. I shall call her Tania. I have had her for a couple of months, wondering whether I should give her away as a gift, but I always felt the little girls in my life already have enough blonde Barbies. In the end I decided to harvest her for her clothes and shoes. Every little helps 🙂

It’s a doll from a budget line – as ‘budget’ as it gets. She can’t lift her arms to the side – only up and down – and she can’t nod her head ‘yes’, only ‘no’ – to the sides. Despite that, and the fact that she is a fairly generic blonde Barbie, she has a very sweet smile 🙂

Her dress is made of a t-shirt-like fabric. It has a velcro-type closure in the back. Unfortunately, the print is only in the front, the back is solid black.

Her shoes were not visible in the box, so it was an unboxing-time surprise. They are very… sweet – they look like they came straight from the Fairytopia line – and perhaps they did. Probably not very useful with modern-style outfits, but hey, they might come in handy one day:

Now, to give her some new options!

Barbie Career Teacher Fashion Pack (DNT92)

POSITIVE:

+ the pattern on the shirt goes all around

+ the top closes with a velcro (so you don’t have to squeeze the doll in)

+ the skirt is ‘denim’ all over as well

+ feels well made

+ cute glasses and books

NEGATIVE:

– the skirt is a little bulky around the hips on the classic Barbie

Comments: I bought the set because I especially dislike sewing tops, and because I like the collar. It is to be expected, but the white ‘shirt’ is sewn into the top. The books don’t open, but they still make for pretty cool props. The skirt doesn’t have a velcro, only an elastic waist-band.

 

Barbie Dolphin Magic Tropical Set Fashion Pack (FBD85)

POSITIVE:

+ classic, realistic cut

+ cute opalescent pattern

+ closes with a Velcro

+ fun accessories

NEGATIVE:

– the swimsuit is not elastic at all and it doens’t fit very well

– the print is only in the front

– the swimsuit was pinned to the cardboard and the tabs left little holes in the fabric

– the velcro gets caught in the fabric and leaves marks in it easily

Comments: The bottle of the sunscreen bottle has a ‘peg’ that fits Barbie furniture with corresponding indentations (so as not to move or fall). It also has a loop that fits around the doll’s finger. Both these features are handy, but they also detract from the realism. The puppy is too unrealistic for my liking, but it is vinyl-like to touch and overall well-made.

 

Barbie Fashion Pack, Pink Plaid Shirt (DMB38)

I have no idea why it’s called ‘pink’, it’s definitely more red 🙂

POSITIVE:

+ feels pretty well-made

+ made from cotton fabric

+ the pattern continues to the back

+ realistic cut and pattern

Comment: I hesitate to name any negatives, but I will say what would fit my taste a little better: I think the shirt should have the closure in the front, not the back, then it could be worn undone. It is also slightly more loose-fitting than I imagined, but it’s not objectively a problem.

 

Barbie Fashion Pack, Heather Heart Tank (DMB36)

POSITIVE:

+ trendy, contemporary look

+ fastens in the back

NEGATIVE

– slight defects in the hem

– not as well-fitted as I expected

– a little bit short

 

Barbie Fashion Dress – Sweet Casual Dress (DNT81)

POSITIVE:

+ feels well-made

+ velcro-type closure for easy dressing

+ pattern continues all around, the stripes align neatly

+ really brightens up the doll!

NEGATIVE:

– the ‘belt’ is only in the front

 

Comment: I wasn’t initially going to buy this dress because dresses – especially sleeveless ones – are relatively easy to sew. Since this one has a t-shirt top, I made an exception. I’m so glad I did! It’s so lovely and joyful-looking 🙂

Barbie Accessories Original & Petite Doll Shoe Pack (FCR92)

POSITIVE:

+ a nice collection of basics for a decent price

NEGATIVE:

– …except for the orange ones, I don’t really need those 🙂

– could use a touch of paint

– why put flat and high-heeled shoes in one pack? What if I only have one type of Barbie?

 

Comment: I thought the white sneakers were for the high-heeled foot type, but they really have flat soles – in case someone was wondering.

Barbie Accessories Curvy & Tall Doll Shoe Pack (FCR93)

POSITIVE:

+ again, an affordable boost to your Barbie shoes collection

NEGATIVE:

– again: lack painted details

 – again: a mixture of flats and heels

Comment: Why are there separate shoes for Curvy and Tall Barbie? It turns out there is a slight difference. They are slightly big on the Classic Barbie – which is OK, the manufacturer did their best to warn me 😉 The shoes are still usable just not as snug-fitting.

Barbie Fashion Accessory Pack, Pink and Red (DHC55)

POSITIVE:

+ nice sculpted details

+ cute designs

NEGATIVE:

– mixture of flats and heels

Comment: Because I really like the shapes and textures of these items, the lack of painted details doesn’t bother me with this pack. I love the red boots and I definitely wanted some girly flats in my collection. I only wish they had skipped the pom-poms. I’m not a huge fan of the bracelet and the necklace, but it’s highly subjective.

* * *

This concludes my Barbie haul.

D’oh! I forgot to order a pair of jeans 😦 I guess I will have to do some sewing after all.

Overall, I am pretty pleased. My most pleasant surprise was how much I enjoy the yellow-blue-and-white dress. I really like the teacher set as well. My biggest disappointment was the swimsuit. I might have still bought it even if I knew its downsides because I have something special in mind for it, but it feels the most flimsy out of all the items.

It seems to me that Barbie clothes and accessories are more affordable then they used to be – or perhaps I have learned to find better deals online – but the cost of a decent wardrobe starter is still high. Normally I would choose to spend the money on a new doll, but going for the outfits lets me skip the sewing part – which is a chore 😉 – and get straight to the photography part – where the real fun is for me 🙂 And that’s a good deal.