But the fact remains that Barbie was a big part of my childhood and for that, I’ll always have a soft spot for this little doll. In celebration of Barbie’s 50th birthday, here are my four favorite barbies from over the years. No particular order, and not “officially” named (I wouldn’t even know how to begin that search), these are the Barbie dolls I’ll always remember.

Vintage Barbie
Very similar (but from a few years later) to the doll below, this was a gift from my mom which I admit…I didn’t realize was so important and precious at the time. The antique hairstyle, discrete bathing suit and intricately sewn clothes were for a time that I never knew. She was by far more glamorous and demure than the other Barbies I had also stored in my closet.

Image: Newscom

Career Barbie
I don’t remember much about this Barbie, but she was a powerhouse. No pink dresses, her hair was short and bobbed, and she was at the office. All the time. She was me, but in doll form.

Brenda Barbie
While I’m not sure if Mattel was actually the creator of the 90210 doll collection, I loved my Brenda doll. She had one of those hats with a sunflower on the front,  high waisted pleated pants and a white dress blouse. Long, straight, brunette hair – I had no idea at the time what a whiner Brenda was or a nut Shannon Doherty is…but she was my elementary school dream of what I wanted to be in high school.

California Cool Barbie
This was the Barbie stereotypes to end all stereotypes. She rode around in a pink plastic corvette, picked up Vintage Barbie’s Ken, and was a the girl who got whatever she wanted. Lots of teeny multicolored heels, miniskirts and a Skipper doll to boss around…the only thing she never got was a Dream House. And she never let me live that down.

Post from: The List Maven

Images are from the product sale pages on Etsy, and belong to their respective artists/jewelry makers.

What shoes should I wear? Red E for the Prom
Genuine barbie shoes. Red strappy heels with silver glitter on the straps. Shoes hung on silver french ear wires. Total length is 1.5″.
$10.00 via SAEE on Etsy

.

Seen Better Days Barbie Necklace
Silver-plated fine chain necklace approx. 20″ with 12mm B&W striped Czech glass beads. Red, handmade decoupage pendant measuring 1.75″, featuring a slightly shabby Barbie. Pendants are double varnished to ensure durability and a high quality finish.
$50 via VenusFlytrapJewels on Etsy

.

Punk Rock Pendant
Electric blue eye-shadowed Barbie doll eye, black pigmented resin surround, entirely hand fabricated. 16″ oxidized diamond cut ball chain and lobster clasp. Pendant measures 1 3/4″ in diameter. Artist signature on back.
$170 via MargauxLange on Etsy

.

Splash
The base of this pendant is a black plastic bottle cap. Inside hazel eyed Barbie has been immersed in resin. Covering the top of the pendant is a purple piece of plastic, found at a rummage sale.
$22.50 via gjarvisjewelryetc

.

Barbie Pump Purple Earrings
Are you a lover of all things Barbie doll?? Then relive your childhood by wearing these super cute earrings, made with authentic barbie doll pumps. With three small beads (clear, pink, and lilac), this earring dangles about 3 inches long. The pump itself is 1 inch in length.
$4 via flamingofluffy

.

Post from: The List Maven