As is probably true of most little girls, I had an impressive collection of Barbies when I was younger. Although there’s a lot of discussion on whether or not Barbies set up unrealistic body image, I never looked at them that way. My Barbie’s were my opportunity to have grown up adventures. To travel the world while staying safely in the playroom in our attic. To try my hand at making clothes and experimenting with fashion. To fancy myself a hairdresser, usually with disastrous results. They represented the world that sat just outside of my microcosm, ready and waiting for me.
So, you can imagine how excited I was when Unique Vintage started posting teasers to their Barbie x Unique Vintage collection, with designs based on Barbie dresses through the decades. I don’t know any little girl (and let’s be honest, adult) who didn’t see at least one Barbie dress and fervently wished it could sit in their own closet. Naturally, I started stalking their website, ready to make that childhood fantasy a grown up wardrobe reality…
One piece that immediately caught my eye was the Barbie Swing Skirt, a border print cutie with iconic Barbie silhouettes dotting the hemline. Not only am I a sucker for a border print, but I loved the fact that she was scalloped with Barbie in a range of outfits and professions. And when she arrived, the print certainly did not disappoint. The colors are as vibrant as they appeared on screen and each Barbie is so beautifully detailed as she dances around the hem. Although likely just a flaw in the skirt I got, the black portions of the skirt were a tiny bit speckled in places – just a small smattering of white dots that looks as though the dye didn’t fully take.
I went with the size M in this skirt, which worked well for my 27-28″ waist. Mine measured 29″ and sat just below my natural waist. Because I like to tuck tops into my skirts, having one that is slightly larger than my natural waist is preferable. Sizing down to a S probably wouldn’t have allowed for this (and very likely would have threatened to splinch me in two). The length was good, falling 24″ waist to hem (not including waistband), and suited my Malco Modes Meghan petticoat well. She also comes complete with pockets (heart rejoice!) and a hefty back zip with another Barbie head silhouette. I really loved the details of this skirt (and the complimentary Barbie brooch that they tucked in with it!).
On the whole, the positives outweighed the negatives. But, the main downside for me was the fabric. It’s 100% polyester and definitely feels like it. I don’t know why this beauty wasn’t made in a weighty cotton (like many of the other UV swing skirts I own and love). Although it holds its full shape well, it really feels synthetic and almost rubbery to the touch and I can tell it won’t be a fabric that breathes at ALL during the sweltering summer months that NC is known for. On the whole, the print has me smitten and I’ll be keeping her. But, be warned the fabric is a bit disappointing.
The Barbie collection swing skirt retails for $88 and is available on the Unique Vintage website (in sizes XS-XL and 2X-4X). There are quite a few other amazing pieces in the collection (including the Suburban Shopper, which is already sitting happily in my closet and I hope to be reviewing soon).
There is something amazing about a doll that is iconic for so many of us. I have so many memories of sitting happily in our playroom, zooming around the attic with the Barbie camper, taking advantage of a little R&R in our Barbie dream house, or those days when we’d all go on a tropical vacation to the bathtub. So much of my childhood was shaped by the adventures I envisioned I would have, the woman I would one day become.
I remember the fateful day on a particular bathtub vacation, my brown-haired barbie came upon the squeaky great white shark toy. And rather than envisage some crazy shark attack scene, shark and Barbie became unlikely friends, who she visited tub time after tub time. An amazing premonition if I ever heard one….
Any pieces from the Barbie Collection you simply have to have?
xoxo
Outfit Details:
Top: Alannah Hill (similar)
Skirt: Unique Vintage (also in plus size)
Bracelet: gift, Mignonne Gavigan
Belt: Alannah Hill (similar)
Handbag: gift, Betsey Johnson, sold out (similar)
Shoes: Nine West
Lip Color: Schiap
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