Thursday, January 28, 2016

Barbie: Tall, Petite, and Curvy

Barbies to be included in the 2016 line have new body types.

The Barbie news trending currently includes the new body types to be offered in the 2016 line. Some, if not all, dolls are shown above in this Internet-captured photo.  What say you:  Yea or Nay?

The little girls in this video give them a "yea."


Read more, see more here.

Some of the dolls are available to purchase or preorder at Shop.Mattel.com.

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36 comments:

  1. I like the idea, but I also think that if it ain't broke, don't fix it. This will make it even more challenging for kids to find clothes that fit all their dolls. I know that's not a big deal for all kids, but it is for some. That being said, I love that blue-haired girl!

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    1. Let's hope Mattel comes through with extra, separately sold fashions for the dolls and not just those sold with some of the dolls, forcing people to buy the dolls just to get the extra fashions. I did see a couple that I like, particularly the curvy one with glasses.

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    2. This will be a great opportunity for little girls to learn to sew for their dolls. That's what a lot of little girls had to do in the past when they couldn't afford to buy the clothes. All the negatives can be turned into positives.

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    3. Good point, Vanessa. I remember trying to sew for my dolls as a child... trying is the key word here. I didn't do it often because I was not very good at it. But who knows, these dolls might pique an interest in sewing for girls who otherwise would not have tapped into the possibility of learning how.

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  2. Interesting! I don't know how well they'll sell, but I love seeing a core toy brand like Barbie trying new things.

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    1. I think they will sell. They would soar if they were articulated.

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  3. I think that they will sell! I think the curvy will do well! Hopefully there will be clothes to fit the new shapes too!

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    1. One of the curvy ones (the one with glasses) comes with two extra fashions, but I too hope they will offer extra clothing to fit the curvy body style.


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  4. Some come with really cute fashion packs. I'd be all over this if they offered articulation. I will buy a few though to show support. They also offered some really cute dolls in every size.

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  5. Yaaay! Already waiting for one to come. Waiting to be notified of availability of two more!

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    1. Woo hoo! I'm waiting to be notified of two. I almost ordered one that is already in stock, but decided to wait. That may or may not have been a wise decision, but if I have to pay shipping, I'd rather pay it for one order.

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  6. I say yay! Mattel does have to commit to offering clothes for the different dolls. I think they will sell. I think the success of the Lammily doll is probably what got Mattel to go in this direction. I will get at least one of each type. I think they would have hit a home run if they had articulated the dolls. They keep taking a step back in that department.

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    1. I agree that the Lammily doll's success is Mattel's inspiration for creating the curvy dolls. Had articulation been added, sales would definitely soar.

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  7. I will buy a couple to show support, but that's it unless they add articulation. I don't have much use for stiff dolls.

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    1. Stiff dolls: I am LOL at that description, but that is so true.

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  8. I agree with Vanessa and Jewell. I do love the promo and I love seeing girls play with dolls anyway but it would of been a "I need" purchase if they were articulated. As for the clothes, I sure hope Mattel took that into consideration.

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    1. These new body types are definitely going to need clothes. I am now visualizing racks of clothing and shoes separated by the three new body types: curvy, tall, and petite. Yes, they need to make that happen.

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  9. I with you all on this -- I do love the looks of these, and I definitely think Lammily was a huge influence for these dolls. There are some really cute offerings here. I did pre-order some in each new body type. 2 of them are supposed to be shipped next week and 2 in March. In the coming soon category, there are a couple in each body type that come with 2 outfits. They really need to give all them some articulation though and offer wardrobe options too. Vanessa, I will be looking to you for some wardrobe options too, LOL!

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    1. I am glad you saw several that interest you enough to order already, Phyllis. My vote is for articulation and wardrobe offerings in the future, too.

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  10. I am super excited about them. I agree Debbie, if they were articulated...OMG! I plan to pick up a few. I just hate that they have the stiff bodies.

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    1. When will Mattel get the memo, GG: we want/we need articulation?

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  11. I share the concern that keeping track of how or if Mattel will roll out separate fashions for the different dolls. it gets harder and harder it seems for Mattel to manufacture fashions for what are supposed to be fashion dolls with the toy aisle pretty much being stocked only with dolls. I remember reading an interview with Tobert Best where he noted it's cheaper simply to produce a new doll than it is to produce the separate fashions (hence the way silkstone collection went the way it did). I love the concept, I just hope Mattel supports the "play" concept of the playline with fashions and accessories for each of these diverse dolls.

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    1. Hi Julius,

      It is shocking that it would be less costly to produce a doll than extra fashions. This could very well be the reason the aisles are stocked with more dolls. I share your hope that this will change (but I'm not holding my breath). ;-)

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  12. I'm thrilled, and I figure I'll just have to sew outfits. So many of my dolls require sizing I can't easily get fashion packs for... what's a few more?

    Combining the greater range of ethnicities with a greater range of body types just seems full of win for me.

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    1. It's good that you can sew Smaller Places. For many of us, that is not an option.

      I do appreciate the new inclusive line. There is a doll for almost everyone.

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  13. I like the dolls, and plan to pick up a few. Most of my Barbie dolls are not articulated beyond the basics, so that's not a deal breaker. I too can sew for my dolls, so I'm fortunate there.

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    1. That's wonderful, Barb. You'll have new models to sew pretty things for.

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  14. Just when I thought that I was done purchasing Barbies for a while... I see at least 3 that I want.

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    1. I know, Roxanne! I honestly had no plans to purchase a Barbie this year, but three is the number for me as well.

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    2. It looks like I may end up with 4. I've pre-ordered a curvy and a petite. The curvy one with the glasses is a must have for me, and then I also want the tall one with the short red curly hair, and they are both listed as "coming soon".

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    3. That curvy one with the glasses is on the top of my list. I didn't want to preorder anything and have to pay separate shipping when the others I want are available. Hopefully I won't regret not preordering.

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  15. Frankly, I would not have expected them to release these dolls with articulation. Even if they were waiting to see how they sell, that's too many body types to expend the extra cost of articulation on. Sure would be cool if they all were though.

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    1. Cost is always a factor. So I do understand why they eliminated articulation. Adding it would have driven up the price and led to complaints about that. We win some; we lose some; we have to pick our battles.

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  16. I say Yea but i believe Mattel only do it because they see the money in it and not the moral! Anyway it will change childrens view of themselves so it´s good! I will probably order some curvy ones anyway! It´s historical for us doll-lovers so why not? :)

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    1. It is a very historical moment in Barbie's life. The doll has always symbolized American standards of "beauty" and "perfect" body shape (even though there is no such thing). Now with so many body shapes included in the line, Mattel has finally seen the light of day to realize (even if $'s are behind their epiphany) that dolls should reflect society. I hope it will change little girls' views of themselves and I hope they accept the curvier dolls along with the rest.

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