I didn't think I knew this one until you started to really describe her set-up and you brought back so many memories. The versatility. She played in some 70s airplane case passed down to me. The first dream: doing it all with as few amount of bags as possible.
Now I need to go to Velma’s house to see if my day to night Barbie is still there in my Barbie trunk. I hope she is next to peaches and cream Barbie, she was my other fav.
Great read, Erin! I didn't have Day to Night Barbie and I can't seem to remember the Barbies that I did own. What I do remember is the big Barbie motorhome that I pushed around the house and into my blanket fort for shade. I also remember being extremely frustrated when I couldn't get Barbie to sit on the seats of the motorhome, or how I had to prop her up in the shower, and I couldn't understand why her feet didn't go flat.
I too, cried during the movie. So much possibility and inspiration in a world that doesn't always present for women.
Love this essay, Erin! Fantastic that you have the day-to-night setup again! I’m older than you and when I was playing Barbies, a kid got one Barbie (+ a Ken and maybe a Skipper + I had Midge, who seemed like the old housekeeper). Back then we got different outfits used on the same dolls -- some store-bought and some homemade-- not a new doll every time. When my daughter started w Barbies in the late ‘90s, it was different. You got an entirely new doll with a new identity and outfits, every time. That resulted in boatloads of Barbie dolls and accessories at every birthday to the point one year I included on the invitation, “no Barbies, please.” We had begun to refer to her extensive collection as the Barbie ghetto. I know we were missing the point of all Barbie’s cool careers, but it was a lot! Before the careers they gave Barbie, there was a bit of a negative backlash, too, over her unrealistic body. I can recall not wanting my daughter to lean toward Barbie, in favor of American Girls. But I’ll always love Barbie-- and especially enjoying that she can make such a comeback all these years later.
I definitely remember still getting gowns that came without dolls in the ‘80s and I also remember the giant tangle of Barbie limbs and hair. I was too old for American Girl but their accessories game was on point!
I didn't think I knew this one until you started to really describe her set-up and you brought back so many memories. The versatility. She played in some 70s airplane case passed down to me. The first dream: doing it all with as few amount of bags as possible.
The Friend Ship! Mom found one for us while thrifting. I looked it up recently and it was a United plane, which threw me for a loop.
yes!!! i looked it up b/c of your post. like most things from childhood it was much smaller than i remember.
Now I need to go to Velma’s house to see if my day to night Barbie is still there in my Barbie trunk. I hope she is next to peaches and cream Barbie, she was my other fav.
Peaches and Cream was a big deal!!
Yes the gowns!! Satin and strapless with a fake fur stole. Oh the GLAM! 💕
Great read, Erin! I didn't have Day to Night Barbie and I can't seem to remember the Barbies that I did own. What I do remember is the big Barbie motorhome that I pushed around the house and into my blanket fort for shade. I also remember being extremely frustrated when I couldn't get Barbie to sit on the seats of the motorhome, or how I had to prop her up in the shower, and I couldn't understand why her feet didn't go flat.
I too, cried during the movie. So much possibility and inspiration in a world that doesn't always present for women.
Love this essay, Erin! Fantastic that you have the day-to-night setup again! I’m older than you and when I was playing Barbies, a kid got one Barbie (+ a Ken and maybe a Skipper + I had Midge, who seemed like the old housekeeper). Back then we got different outfits used on the same dolls -- some store-bought and some homemade-- not a new doll every time. When my daughter started w Barbies in the late ‘90s, it was different. You got an entirely new doll with a new identity and outfits, every time. That resulted in boatloads of Barbie dolls and accessories at every birthday to the point one year I included on the invitation, “no Barbies, please.” We had begun to refer to her extensive collection as the Barbie ghetto. I know we were missing the point of all Barbie’s cool careers, but it was a lot! Before the careers they gave Barbie, there was a bit of a negative backlash, too, over her unrealistic body. I can recall not wanting my daughter to lean toward Barbie, in favor of American Girls. But I’ll always love Barbie-- and especially enjoying that she can make such a comeback all these years later.
I definitely remember still getting gowns that came without dolls in the ‘80s and I also remember the giant tangle of Barbie limbs and hair. I was too old for American Girl but their accessories game was on point!