Barbie

Barbie's life in fashion

From retro 50s swimwear to space suits to 80s frills, see Barbie's style evolution

9 March 2017

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Only Kate Moss is more sartorially chameleon-like than Barbie. She has dabbled in over 130 professions, each time reinventing her look accordingly and the new 2016 'Fashionistas' Barbie line includes: 33 new dolls, 30 new hair colours, 24 hair styles, 22 eyes colours, 14 face sculpts, 7 skin tones and 4 body types.

While staying true to her style signatures (she'll always be a high-heel-wearing pink obsessive), she is a master at adapting her look to suit the time and occasion. Whether an air hostess, astronaut, reporter or princess, or a 60s flower child or 90s power woman, her style has evolved at a rate of knots.

Look back at Barbie's ever-changing fashion in pictures, here:

Picture research by Sandra Waibl

Mattel
The first Barbie (created in 1959) worked a chic monochrome swimwear choice, which imbued the glamour and gloss of the 50s.
Rex Features
Same doll, different bag - a very Dolce & Gabbana-inspired straw holdall. We love.
Mattel
Barbie of 1959 favoured a French Riviera look - all stripes and indigo denim. Special mention to her dainty white gloves.
Rex Features
In 1961, she embarked on a career as an American Airline hostess, nailing her elegant navy suit.

Rex Features
Another classically glamorous outfit, first worn in 1964. We commend Barbie's ability to accessorise with finesse - not many can pull of a wide-brim straw hat but she nails it.
Mattel
In 1962, she hit the beach in a Baywatch-inspired swimsuit.
Rex Features
Well this feels very Felicity Shagwell, just sans thigh-high boots.
Mattel
We're into Christie's excellent disco style vibes. The jacket feels very Prada and the metallic briefs could well be Saint Laurent.

Rex Features
In 1971, Barbie got a job as a singer - where uniform included a bandana, inexplicable wrist tassles, and a pink wide-leg jumpsuit.
Mattel
1980's Hispanic Barbie took on a gypsy performer guise, featuring a chiffon skirt and off-the-shoulder peasant blouse (a key neckline for SS16).
Rex Features
An excellent look from 1981's roller skating Barbie - very reminiscent of Farah Fawcett.
Mattel
Ah the 80s - when more really was everything. She pulled out all the stops for a date night with Ken in 1981, opting for satin ruffles, a statement rosette belt and sequins.

Rex Features
Proving that stylish gymwear is not only a present trend is 1984's fitness Barbie. Emerald green is such a great colour on Barbie, although we can't help but be reminded of the Power Rangers. Sorry doll.
Mattel
If Elle Woods of [i]Legally Blonde</> had been around in 1985, this is what she'd have worn to lectures. A strong, yet feminine look.
Rex Features
Before Buzz Lightyear, there was Barbie killing it on the moon with her Bowie-esque space suit.
Mattel
Great T-shirt Barbie - in fact, we're even into the confidence it takes to wear neon yellow leggings..

Rex Features
Barbie has always been the original fun-time Sally, as proven here as she parties on the beach in her sporty pink bikini. We also see this picture as an opportunity to bring back crimping.
Mattel
An early 90s look - a time when trippy prints and crimping were bywords in cool.
Rex Features
In 1993, Barbie took herself to Hollywood. Not a woman to shy into the background, she covered herself in stars - trying an experimental star-based hair dye and a white and gold bomber that we'd love to own.
Mattel
in 1993, Native American Barbie was introduced. Her trademark tassles and penchant for embroidery have been replicated on international catwalks ever since.

Rex Features
Dentist Barbie came armed with the most desirable white clutch (very Chanel) and minimal Celine-inspired blue courts.
Rex Features
In 2002, Barbie dressed up as Princess Rapunzel, working a fittingly romantic fairytale gown decorated with floral applique and ornate glitter embellishment.
Rex Features
Dance Barbie of 2003 set the bar for looking good in the gym in her metallic flares and shimmering crop top.
Mattel
Life as a dentist wasn't for Barbie and in 2011 she landed a job as an architect. The role required an air of grown-up professionalism, so she invested in a demure full-skirted dress and a pair of glasses.

Mattel
Who says blondes have more fun? Raquelle became one of Barbie's friends in 2012.
Mattel
In 2010, she teamed up with US designer Tory Burch to model this high-octane sexy ensemble.
Mattel
One of our favourite Barbie incarnations came in 2014 when Karl Lagerfeld added his stamp on the doll. Looking fly Barbie,
Mattel
As her career developed, she became an entrepreneur in her own right. Knowing that a high-powered day in the office requires a strong look, she chose a conservative yet elegant dress in bright pink and an understated boxy bag.

Rex Features
She decided on a pink two-piece skirt suit for a brief stint at a journalist.
Mattel
Zendaya was immortalised in 2015 with a Barbie doll, dressed in a glamorous draped white gown. Her dreadlocks added a sense of individuality.
Mattel
Moschino gave Barbie a makeover in 2015, dressing her in key pieces from its most recent collections and in turn giving her a modern street edge.
In 2015, Barbie was given the opportunity to enjoy food for the first time and her shape naturally became more reflective of women's physiques, from curvy to petite to athletic and tall.

REX
In 2017, Barbie was given her first hijab. Released in November 2017, a new Barbie modelled on fencer Ibtihaj Muhammad, who made history in 2016 when she became the first American to compete and win a medal at the Olympics while wearing the hijab.