Barbie Bazaar Scans: June 1998
BARBIE BAZAAR SCANS: June 1998 //
"First Things First: Vintage Barbie's Lacy Lingerie"
Under cover: Despite the unimaginative moniker, 1959's Undergarments
(#919) are delightfully daring light blue tricot foundations (note the completely unnecessary
girdle with fake garters!). These pieces were later issued in three more colors (white,
black, and pink) as Lovely Lingerie, complete with matching open-toed pompom mules.
Posie Party: Another original 1959 undie set, the beautifully embroidered Floral
Petticoat (at left- with matching panties and bra) is a natural under all those full skirts
that Barbie favored. The set includes a pink comb, brush and hand mirror, and was issued in
1962 minus these accessories as the Pak Slip, Panties, Bra.
Boudoir Dolls: Undoubtedly the most elegant lingerie for Barbie ever made, 1966's
Underfashions (above) is a highly-desirable 1600 series ensemble made from deramy pink
tricot. The set includes a ruffled half slip, matching bra, panties and a marvelous
corselette with real working garters to hoist up Barbie's textured flesh-toned hose.
Shoes not included.
Brief Encounter: Terry Togs is one of several vintage Ken ensembles (such as In
Training and Accessory Pack) to included these nerdy-but-neat white cotten "jockey shorts."
The ensemble included a variety of accessories including a blue sponge (very hard to find
in one piece), large bar of pale pink soap, yellow fluffy towel with "His" monogram, gray
plastic razor with cord and black plastic comb.
Lace Pace: Just like her big sister's (minus the bra!), Skipper's UnderPetties are
a pany-and-slip combo fashioned from frothy white nylon lace. This sweet set includes the
usual comb, brush and mirror, plus for rollers for setting that long, long hair.
A Leg Up: Francie's quintessential Carnaby Street ensemble, It's a Date just isn't
the same without these hard-to-find pale blue hose! Francies's stockings are nearly identical
to Barbie's, just slighty shorter.
Flower Power: Stacy borrows Barbie's classic underprints Mod lingerie for a disco
date! The set came with matching tricot slip, gartered panties and bra, plus turquoise comb,
brush, hand mirror and "Princess" phone. Fishnets not included.
ARTICLE:
Underwear. Unmentionables. Foundation garments. Lingerie. Undies. WHATEVER you call them,
they're a necessary face of life for (most) folks. For dolls, however, that's another story.
Visible extras like hosiery make nice finishing touches for dressy fashions. Panties are a
good idea with short skirts. But Barbie's other undies are more of an attempt at real
life-fashion authenticity than standard equipment. Modern dolls (remember the flap about
Teacher Barbie's panties?) seldom even wear them anymore!
The tiny under fashions from the early years do offer keen insight into the rigid modes women
were expected to conform to in the late Fifties and Sixties, as well as a welcome reminder of
just how much things have changed in fashionland during the last thirty-some-odd years.
There's still something sexy (And therefore, naughty) about the idea of a woman in her
undies, especially when that woman's got a figure like Barbie's. Think back to the "B.P."
(Before Pantyhose) days, when girdles were the rule and garter belts essential for holding up
a lady's seamed "nylons." No longer in vouge, this garments,a long with stiletto high heels
and merry widows, have been fetishized (a la Fifties siren Betty Page) into something
altogether different then their intended use.
But getting back to Barbie who is, after all, a cild's toy. We find that vinyl's rigid nature
makes foundation garments like bras and girdles simply superfluous. In fact, many vintage
fashions (such as light sheath skirts) are so form-fitting that a slip or even just panties
underneath makes the whole effect rather lumpy. And from a man's point of view, Ken's
tailored slacks are almost impossible to zip up when he wears his white jocky horts, and,
even if that succeeds, he looks like he's wearing a diaper underneath!
This is not to say, however, that these unnecessary pieces are any less amazing in their
authenticity or attention to detail. The bras are wispy, often see-though affairs worthy of
any Victoria's Secret catalog. Barbie's "Undergarments" girdle looks just like the real
thing, with delicate floral embroidery and faux cord garters.
On a far more functional note, poufy crinolines (like 1959's Floral Petticoat) are the
perfect touch under Barbie's many full-skirted vintage dresses and skirts. Barbie and
Francies's garter belts, especially, are sheer marvels of miniaturization, with fully
functional elasticized garters that really DO keep those stockings high and dry!
Speaking of stockings, it's odd that a teen fashionplate like Barbie didn't even own a pair
until 1966! It's true... although outfits like Icebreaker, Masquerade and Skater's Waltz
included nylon sheer tights (which could be used as pantyhose). As mentioned above, ladies in
the Sixties still wore nylon stockings. Barbie's first nylons are the flesh-toned floral ones
to Underfashions. Many mod fashions thereafter include hose in a dazzling palette of colors
and textures for Barbie, Skipper, and Francie.
Often doll fans like to focus on certain themes... evening gowns, tailored suits, etc., so
Barbie's vast lingerie wardrobe COULD form the basis for a mini-collection of undie-couture
trends though the last thirty-nine years. Like sleepwear, these ensembles are often ignored
by many, but they continue to tell a fascinating tale of changing tastes, attitudes and
customs from the ever-evolving world that we call fashion.
"First Things First: Vintage Barbie's Lacy Lingerie"
Under cover: Despite the unimaginative moniker, 1959's Undergarments
(#919) are delightfully daring light blue tricot foundations (note the completely unnecessary
girdle with fake garters!). These pieces were later issued in three more colors (white,
black, and pink) as Lovely Lingerie, complete with matching open-toed pompom mules.
Posie Party: Another original 1959 undie set, the beautifully embroidered Floral
Petticoat (at left- with matching panties and bra) is a natural under all those full skirts
that Barbie favored. The set includes a pink comb, brush and hand mirror, and was issued in
1962 minus these accessories as the Pak Slip, Panties, Bra.
Boudoir Dolls: Undoubtedly the most elegant lingerie for Barbie ever made, 1966's
Underfashions (above) is a highly-desirable 1600 series ensemble made from deramy pink
tricot. The set includes a ruffled half slip, matching bra, panties and a marvelous
corselette with real working garters to hoist up Barbie's textured flesh-toned hose.
Shoes not included.
Brief Encounter: Terry Togs is one of several vintage Ken ensembles (such as In
Training and Accessory Pack) to included these nerdy-but-neat white cotten "jockey shorts."
The ensemble included a variety of accessories including a blue sponge (very hard to find
in one piece), large bar of pale pink soap, yellow fluffy towel with "His" monogram, gray
plastic razor with cord and black plastic comb.
Lace Pace: Just like her big sister's (minus the bra!), Skipper's UnderPetties are
a pany-and-slip combo fashioned from frothy white nylon lace. This sweet set includes the
usual comb, brush and mirror, plus for rollers for setting that long, long hair.
A Leg Up: Francie's quintessential Carnaby Street ensemble, It's a Date just isn't
the same without these hard-to-find pale blue hose! Francies's stockings are nearly identical
to Barbie's, just slighty shorter.
Flower Power: Stacy borrows Barbie's classic underprints Mod lingerie for a disco
date! The set came with matching tricot slip, gartered panties and bra, plus turquoise comb,
brush, hand mirror and "Princess" phone. Fishnets not included.
ARTICLE:
Underwear. Unmentionables. Foundation garments. Lingerie. Undies. WHATEVER you call them,
they're a necessary face of life for (most) folks. For dolls, however, that's another story.
Visible extras like hosiery make nice finishing touches for dressy fashions. Panties are a
good idea with short skirts. But Barbie's other undies are more of an attempt at real
life-fashion authenticity than standard equipment. Modern dolls (remember the flap about
Teacher Barbie's panties?) seldom even wear them anymore!
The tiny under fashions from the early years do offer keen insight into the rigid modes women
were expected to conform to in the late Fifties and Sixties, as well as a welcome reminder of
just how much things have changed in fashionland during the last thirty-some-odd years.
There's still something sexy (And therefore, naughty) about the idea of a woman in her
undies, especially when that woman's got a figure like Barbie's. Think back to the "B.P."
(Before Pantyhose) days, when girdles were the rule and garter belts essential for holding up
a lady's seamed "nylons." No longer in vouge, this garments,a long with stiletto high heels
and merry widows, have been fetishized (a la Fifties siren Betty Page) into something
altogether different then their intended use.
But getting back to Barbie who is, after all, a cild's toy. We find that vinyl's rigid nature
makes foundation garments like bras and girdles simply superfluous. In fact, many vintage
fashions (such as light sheath skirts) are so form-fitting that a slip or even just panties
underneath makes the whole effect rather lumpy. And from a man's point of view, Ken's
tailored slacks are almost impossible to zip up when he wears his white jocky horts, and,
even if that succeeds, he looks like he's wearing a diaper underneath!
This is not to say, however, that these unnecessary pieces are any less amazing in their
authenticity or attention to detail. The bras are wispy, often see-though affairs worthy of
any Victoria's Secret catalog. Barbie's "Undergarments" girdle looks just like the real
thing, with delicate floral embroidery and faux cord garters.
On a far more functional note, poufy crinolines (like 1959's Floral Petticoat) are the
perfect touch under Barbie's many full-skirted vintage dresses and skirts. Barbie and
Francies's garter belts, especially, are sheer marvels of miniaturization, with fully
functional elasticized garters that really DO keep those stockings high and dry!
Speaking of stockings, it's odd that a teen fashionplate like Barbie didn't even own a pair
until 1966! It's true... although outfits like Icebreaker, Masquerade and Skater's Waltz
included nylon sheer tights (which could be used as pantyhose). As mentioned above, ladies in
the Sixties still wore nylon stockings. Barbie's first nylons are the flesh-toned floral ones
to Underfashions. Many mod fashions thereafter include hose in a dazzling palette of colors
and textures for Barbie, Skipper, and Francie.
Often doll fans like to focus on certain themes... evening gowns, tailored suits, etc., so
Barbie's vast lingerie wardrobe COULD form the basis for a mini-collection of undie-couture
trends though the last thirty-nine years. Like sleepwear, these ensembles are often ignored
by many, but they continue to tell a fascinating tale of changing tastes, attitudes and
customs from the ever-evolving world that we call fashion.