Fat Barbie? New Barbie shapes are All-American (2024)

Fat Barbie? New Barbie shapes are All-American (1)

She is "curvy" Barbie, actually.

But "curvy" is code for fat, though Mattel is too polite to say so.

Mattel has added three new body types to its Barbie Fashionistas line: tall, curvy and petite (code for short!). And yes, the original Barbie is still available, in all her long-legged, tiny-waisted, big-busted glory.

The new shapes -- along with seven skin tones, 22 eye colors and 24 hairstyles -- are offered to girls in the name of diversity and inclusion. Girls can now play with dolls that look more like the grown-ups they see every day.

Or do they?

Maple sugaring season begins!

"Wait, which is the curvy one?" asked my very slender editor, as we perused the Barbie gallery.

"That one," I said, pointing to a cheerful blonde example. "See her hips?"

Curvy Barbie has wider hips anda slightly fuller face and arms than non-curvy Barbies. You only notice this if you put her next to the other body shapes.

Fat Barbie? New Barbie shapes are All-American (2)

The truth is, all these Barbies are still magnificently, unrealistically pretty. And that's OK! Play time is supposed to be fun, and no little girl is going to want to play with Dowdy Barbie. I'd preferBarbie remainunrealistic, with her bright pink cars and her fabulous careers, rather than be faced with Student Debt Barbie orSleep-Deprived New Mom Barbie, orMid-Life Crisis Barbie.

Even when Mattel models a Barbie after areal person, the subject is a glamour puss, like director Ava DuVernay.

If you're looking for cute, wholesome, expensive dolls, there's always American Girl, whose "Truly Me" line also offers a moderate variety of skin tones and hair textures.EvenAmerican Girl'shistoricaldolls, though lacking in ethnic diversity, look a lot more like the little girls who play with them than any Barbie, past or present.

But if your child wants to play with a fantasy version of a grown-up, Barbie is still your gal. The new Barbies can be ordered on shop.mattel.com and the collection will be sold at major toy retailers beginning this spring.Right now, there 33 versions available.

Among those 33, my colleagues and I couldn't really find ourselves. My editor is kind of a "Fancy In Flowers" original Barbie. The reporter in the next cubicle is something of a "Floral Fair" tall Barbie, but with totally different fashion sense.

Fat Barbie? New Barbie shapes are All-American (3)

And I find kinship with "Pizza Pizzazz" petite Barbie, despite her blue eyes. At first I thought "Pizza Pizzazz" meant she had Italian ancestry, which I share, but really, it's because she comes with an "I (heart) Pizza" T-shirt.Not as daintily named as a "Fancy In Flowers" or "Floral Fair" Barbie, but at least she's brunette.

We wondered whether Mattel will have to modify or create new productsto accommodate Tall, Curvy and Petite. Higher ceilings in the dream house? Wider seats in the dunebuggy? A step stool so Petite Barbie can reach stuff?

I know "Pizza Pizzazz" Petite Barbie would appreciate that!

We also look forward to the new, more realistic Ken dolls that Mattel surely has in its pipeline, like Bald Spot Ken, Tattoo Ken and Dad Bod Ken.

Fat Barbie? New Barbie shapes are All-American (4)
Fat Barbie? New Barbie shapes are All-American (2024)

FAQs

Fat Barbie? New Barbie shapes are All-American? ›

Notably, when asked why they would not want to play with her, at least 25 percent of the girls said it was because curvy Barbie was fat, chubby, or "big." The tendency to idealize thin bodies and show negative attitudes toward fatter bodies has implications for how children treat each other.

Why girls are rejecting the new Curvy Barbie? ›

Notably, when asked why they would not want to play with her, at least 25 percent of the girls said it was because curvy Barbie was fat, chubby, or "big." The tendency to idealize thin bodies and show negative attitudes toward fatter bodies has implications for how children treat each other.

Are there chubby Barbies? ›

"See her hips?" Curvy Barbie has wider hips and a slightly fuller face and arms than non-curvy Barbies. You only notice this if you put her next to the other body shapes. The truth is, all these Barbies are still magnificently, unrealistically pretty.

What are the new body shape Barbies? ›

Curvy Barbie is getting much of the attention over the changes. Petite Barbie is the smallest of the three dolls. The new dolls also come in a taller model. The familiar thin Barbie style will continue as "Original Barbie," despite criticisms from some that it offered up an unrealistic standard of beauty for girls.

What are the three new Barbie body types? ›

Three new bodies, actually: petite, tall and curvy, in Mattel's exhaustively debated lexicon, and beginning Jan. 28 they will be sold alongside the original busty, thin-waisted form on Barbie.com.

What are the 4 body types of Barbies? ›

The Barbie Fashionistas line will come in four body types — original, curvy, petite and tall — and in seven skin tones, 22 eye colors and 24 hairstyles. Do they look like real women? Of course not. Curvy, tall and petite are, of course, much closer to real women than the original ever could be.

Has Barbies body changed? ›

If she was real, Barbie's original waist would have measured an impossibly small 18 inches. While her midsection expanded and her chest shrank a couple of times over the decades, it wasn't until 2016 that Mattel introduced figures other than the original version.

At what age do girls stop playing with Barbies? ›

Some kids may lose interest in dolls around the age of 5 or 6, while others may continue to play with them into their pre-teen years. There really isn't a "magic age" at which all children suddenly stop playing with dolls - it varies from child to child.

What is the big Barbie controversy? ›

Well-known writer, Prisna Virasin, in her article, “The Big Barbie Controversy”, published in *find where it was original published*, argues that Barbie influences negativity among girls in regards to their physique and lifestyles but parenting is a big influence as well.

Does Barbie make the girls want to be thin? ›

Girls exposed to Barbie reported lower body esteem and greater desire for a thinner body shape than girls in the other exposure conditions. However, this immediate negative impact of Barbie doll was no longer evident in the oldest girls.

What is the difference between regular and curvy Barbie? ›

Curvy Barbie is about the same height, just flat feet so she looks a little shorter. She has the same length torso, but is more pear shaped with a not much larger upper body but a bigger lower body. Her knees have also been moved to a higher, more natural location. Petite Barbie has a slightly shorter torso and legs.

Why is Stefani Canturi Barbie so expensive? ›

Stefani Canturi Barbie (2010): $302,500

At auction, it sold for a remarkable $302,500. But there's a feel-good end to this story: The doll was actually created to raise money for the Breast Cancer Research Foundation.

When did Barbie get a belly button? ›

Even though Barbie has been everything from an astronaut to a computer engineer (what a kerfuffle that turned out to be), it wasn't until 2004 that she got a belly button. And it wasn't until 2016 that Mattel announced it's introducing three new body types to its Fashionistas range of dolls.

What is the curvy Barbie's name? ›

Daisy Kostopoulos is one of Barbie Robert's best friends. Daisy is a pink-haired teenage girl and she has the Curvy body. Daisy is a DJ, a musician, and songwriter, and she has a pet kitten.

When did Barbie introduce new body types? ›

Mattel unveils a new line of Barbie bodies in 2016 with the hashtag #TheDollEvolves. Starting on March 1, Barbie dolls become available on retail shelves with three new body shapes: petite, tall, and curvy, in addition to her slender frame.

What are the different body size Barbies? ›

The iconic doll now comes in four different sizes: petite, tall, curvy, and original. You know the original size—it's the one that, if Barbie were a life-size human woman, would leave her with a 16-inch waist and an inability to walk on her own two feet.

Is Barbie 2023 for adults? ›

Barbie is set to be rated PG-13.

What is a rare Barbie? ›

Obviously, there have been several different iterations of Barbie over the many years the brand has been around. But one of the rarest actually came out in 2000 and it was the special edition Chicago Cubs Fan Barbie. This Barbie doll is now considered to be very, very rare with a price tag of at least $2,000.

How many ethnicities of Barbies are there? ›

Mattel's Barbie may have embraced around 150 careers, represented over 40 nationalities and collaborated with over 75 designers, but the doll has also courted many controversies.

What is the black Barbie called? ›

Many consider Christie to be the first “Black Barbie.” Christie was part of a series of talking dolls. By pulling a string on her back, the doll said things like, “Hi! I'm Christie!” and “Let's go shopping with Barbie.” Christie's hair was black.

What woman has the most Barbies? ›

This week, as Barbie celebrates her 56th birthday we take a look back at Bettina Dorfmann's extensive record-breaking collection of over 15,000 different Barbie dolls. Bettina received her first doll back in 1966, but has only been collecting seriously since 1993.

Are there Barbies with disabilities? ›

Barbie Fashionistas Doll #166 with Wheelchair & Crimped Brunette Hair Wearing Rainbow-Striped Dress, White Sneakers, Sunglasses & Fanny Pack, Toy for Kids 3 to 8 Years Old [Amazon Exclusive]

What is the most sold Barbie doll? ›

The Totally Hair doll is the best selling Barbie doll in Mattel history, with over 10 million dolls sold worldwide. The doll holds a record for the world's longest successful toy sale (from 1992 to 1995).

Are there new Barbies? ›

Mattel's latest launch of Barbie dolls keeps diversity and inclusion at the forefront. The toymaker has released this year's new 2022 Barbie Fashionista collection with several new dolls including the first Barbie with behind-the-ear hearing aids, a doll with a prosthetic leg, a Ken doll with vitiligo and much more.

Is it normal for a 15 year old to play with dolls? ›

As experts would tell you, there is no age limit for dolls. It may seem unusual in this day and age, but several 12-year-olds still play with dolls. And in a world where the internet is widespread, this may be a good thing.

Is it normal for a 13 year old to play with toys? ›

If a child still wants to play with toys as they move into adolescence, it is totally normal and to be celebrated! Unless a child's play is affecting or replacing real-life friendships, there is no need to worry.

Is 11 too old for American Girl doll? ›

American Girl dolls are recommended for girls 8 years old and older. Is 11 too old for American Girl dolls? No!

What is the FBI least wanted Barbie? ›

The FBI's least-wanted Barbie

Kids loved Mattel's 2010 “Video Girl Barbie”—a doll with a camera inside that could record 30 minutes of video and stream it to a computer. But the FBI wasn't so sure about her.

Why was Butterfly Barbie banned? ›

This is one of the most controversial Barbie Dolls !!!!!: Butterfly Art Barbie Doll was quickly retired by Mattel because of the parent protests that the tattoo she is wearing on her belly. Many of the stores pulled the entire line from the shelves when Mattel announced they'd discontinued this Barbie Doll....

Why was the Spanish Barbie banned? ›

To expand Mattel's “Dolls of the World” collection, Barbie took a trip south of the border. Unfortunately, Mattel's interpretation of Mexico — a fiesta dress, a pink passport, and a Chihuahua — was more stereotypical than authentic.

Does Barbie have a pregnant doll? ›

This was the first time an African American Midge was ever produced. Midge was sold "pregnant" with Nikki, who was a tiny baby inside Midge's magnetic removable womb. This led to some controversy with some consumers saying that the doll was inappropriate for children, or that it promoted teen pregnancy.

Where is the weight loss Barbie from? ›

And so the now-37-year-old, from Sydney but now lives in Las Vegas, slimmed down to a size small after losing an astonishing 92kg and up to 11 dress sizes following gastric sleeve surgery.

Why does Barbie always wear pink? ›

A bright shade of pink was chosen as Barbie's signature color mostly to attract young girls to the brand. When paired with a font that looks like a child's handwriting, their logo conveys a sense of fun, whimsy, and childhood.

Who is the person that looks most like Barbie? ›

Valeria Valeryevna Lukyanova (Ukrainian: Вале́рія Вале́ріївна Лук'я́нова; Russian: Валерия Валерьевна Лукьянова; born 1985) is a Moldova-born Ukrainian model and entertainer of Russian origin famous for her resemblance to a Barbie doll. She currently lives in Mexico.

Who looks most like Barbie? ›

However, because she denies having had any other procedures, we have no idea how much her Barbie-like body might have cost. FacebookValeria Lukyanova wears blue contact lenses over her naturally green eyes. The now-35-year-old claims that her one-and-a-half-hour-long makeup routine sculpts her doll-like face.

Does curvy Barbie have flat feet? ›

I have noticed that both Tall and Curvy Barbie come with two different types of feet depending on which doll you have. They either have flat feet or they have a slightly arched foot – not quite a high-heel shoe foot but close. The shoes in this pack (and in general for these dolls) fit each foot differently.

Why are black Barbies more expensive? ›

Brown, who thought it could have been an isolated issue, was astonished to see that across different stores, the Black dolls consistently cost more than the white versions. Professor and doll historian at Duke University, Dr. Sabrina Thomas, said that the issue stems from racial inequality in the production of toys.

What is the most expensive American Girl doll thing? ›

1. Molly McIntire. Now that she has been discontinued, Molly dolls can be found online for as low as a few hundred dollars and as high as $1,200.

What was the first Barbie doll controversy? ›

Many claimed that Barbie's slim waist and large bust created an unrealistic body image for young girls. On the other hand, many viewed the doll and its series of now more than 200 career options as an inspiration to children because it provided an image different from traditional 1950s gender roles.

What famous model has no belly button? ›

Karolína Kurková (Czech pronunciation: [ˈkaroliːna ˈkurkovaː]; born 28 February 1984) is a Czech model and actress, known for her work as a former Victoria's Secret Angel and Vogue cover star.

What was the very first Barbie doll ever made? ›

Barbie Debuts

On March 9, 1959, Barbie debuted at the New York Toy Fair. The first Barbie wore a black and white striped swimsuit and her signature ponytail. Toy buyers were skeptical because Barbie was unlike the baby and toddler dolls that were popular at the time.

What supermodel has a weird belly button? ›

Emily Ratajkowski on ignoring the comments: 'They criticize everything about me' Model and actress Emily Ratajkowski calls the comments she gets on Instagram “insane,” including mean words about her “unique” bellybutton.

Who is Barbies secret sister? ›

Barbie had a sister—Bild-Lilli, a buxom, flirtatious and racy doll marketed to men. And though the risqué 1955 doll has largely been overshadowed by the success of the American toy, she plays a part in the origin story of an American icon.

What is B Barbies full name? ›

HISTORY. Barbie's full name is Barbara Millicent Roberts. Barbie was named after Ruth Handler's daughter, Barbara, and Ken after her son, Kenneth. She is from (fictional) Willows, Wisconsin, where she attended high school.

What is the little girl Barbie called? ›

Skipper Roberts (1964–2003, 2009–present): The first character added to Barbie's family, Skipper is Barbie's younger sister. Originally around the age of eight, she was changed to a 14-year-old later on.

Is there a chubby Barbie? ›

"See her hips?" Curvy Barbie has wider hips and a slightly fuller face and arms than non-curvy Barbies. You only notice this if you put her next to the other body shapes. The truth is, all these Barbies are still magnificently, unrealistically pretty.

What are the three new Barbie dolls? ›

Today, Mattel announced that Barbie dolls would be available in petite, curvy, and tall sizes alongside the original. In an amazing move, Mattel announced today that Barbie dolls are now available in three new body types: Petite, tall, and curvy.

What is Barbie syndrome? ›

“Barbie doll syndrome” (or simply “Barbie syndrome”) is a type of body dysmorphic disorder, which has been described as the drive to attain impossible standards of physical appearance such as that of the Barbie doll.

What size is the new Barbie? ›

The company got to work designing a doll that would align with the way preschoolers play. They determined that a larger, softer body, featuring more articulated arms and legs, would be preferable for smaller hands. The new My First Barbie is 13.5 inches tall versus a regular Barbie, which is 11.5 inches.

Has Barbie changed shape? ›

Barbie has been a lightning rod for controversy since her debut at the New York Toy Fair in 1959. Mattel has made subtle changes to the doll's body and face over the years, but none as dramatic as the changes they are making now by adding three new body types: tall, petite and curvy.

Is it normal for a 12 year old to play with Barbies? ›

As experts would tell you, there is no age limit for dolls. It may seem unusual in this day and age, but several 12-year-olds still play with dolls. And in a world where the internet is widespread, this may be a good thing.

At what age should a girl get a Barbie doll? ›

The age range for the original Barbie fashion dolls is for kids 3 and up.

What is a #1 Barbie? ›

And there are three main things that you can tell that she's a number one Barbie. One is she has very arched, triangular-shaped eyebrows. They're very distinctive compared to later Barbies. She also has a white iris that's very distinctive.

What is the most expensive holiday Barbie? ›

The most valuable holiday Barbies are from the years 1988-1992. Dolls that are MIB (mint in box) from those years sell for between $40-$200. A set of NRFB (never removed from box) dolls from 1988 to 1998 can sell for around $1,000.

What does the og Barbie look like? ›

In March 1959, a doll named "Barbie" launched onto the American toy market, sporting a black-and-white striped bathing suit, pouty red lips and a sassy blonde pony tail. The leggy, 11-inch plastic figure—full name: Barbara Millicent Roberts—was the first mass-produced toy doll in the U.S. with adult features.

Which Barbie is Hispanic? ›

The first Barbie Doll that represented someone of Hispanic ethnicity was a Barbie doll, named Teresa (Barbie Wiki, n.d.). She also was originally cast as Italian, Mexican, and Latin (Barbie Wiki, n.d.). She is one of the friends of the main Barbie character (Barbie Wiki, n.d.).

Is there a biracial Barbie? ›

Lexi- is a repainted Baby Phat Marisa Barbie from the 2013 So in Style line. She has been re-created by Doll Anatomy in the likeness of a realistic Biracial woman.

What nationality is black Barbie? ›

The experiment anchors her film, which explores the history of Mattel's first African American Barbie doll before broadening its scope to look at the cultural significance of toys in America, how they can perpetuate — and sometimes debunk — stereotypes.

Is Teresa Barbie Hispanic? ›

Teresa Rivera is one of Barbie Robert's best friends. Teresa is a Hispanic teenage girl who was introduced in 1988 with the California Dreams Teresa Doll.

What is the rarest Barbie in the world? ›

Pink Splendor Barbie (Tie) With her phenomenal pink gown, this stylish doll was a limited edition released in 1996. Only 10,000 were manufactured worldwide. The most expensive Barbie ever sold in stores, she originally had an asking price of about $900 retail, but you'll find one on eBay for about $500 now.

What was the offensive name for the 1967 Black Barbie? ›

A "colored Francie", first issued in 1967, was the first doll in the Mattel line with a truly dark complexion. However, the doll did not have typical African American features, since it was made with the same head molds as the Caucasian Francie doll.

How many Barbies does Queen Elizabeth have? ›

Read More. And prices could well climb higher online as only 20,000 were made - and the demand is intense. John Lewis reported this week that its stock of Queen Elizabeth II Barbies sold out in just three seconds.

What are the new Barbies disabilities? ›

Barbie launches new inclusive range featuring dolls with vitiligo, no hair and prosthetic limbs. The new dolls join the diverse Barbie Fashionistas range, which has added more than 170 looks added since 2015. Barbie has announced new looks in the diverse Fashionistas line, including dolls with no hair and vitiligo.

What is the disabled Barbie called? ›

The first wheelchair Barbie was called “Share a Smile Becky,” and she was released in 1997. I have her in my collection of disability toys, along with the second doll they released, “School Photographer Becky.” There was also a third doll, Paralympic Becky, who wore a Paralympics uniform and had a racing wheelchair.

What's the most popular doll in the world? ›

Perhaps no other doll is more famous than Barbie.

Which 1990s doll is the best-selling Barbie today? ›

Totally Hair Barbie from 1992 is easily the most iconic '90s Barbie doll. She was the best-selling Barbie of all time, with over 10 million dolls sold.

What will Barbie 2023 be about? ›

What will Barbie 2023 be about? Penned by Greta Gerwig and Noah Baumbach, the Barbie storyline has been kept under wraps. The movie's IMDb notes that the plot is, "A doll living in 'Barbieland' is expelled for not being perfect enough and sets off on an adventure in the real world."

What is the new version of Barbie? ›

The new dolls will be joining the 2022 Barbie Fashionistas Line and will be a part of their over 175 different dolls. It will feature dolls with different skin tones, body types, and disabilities including a prosthetic leg and hearing aids, among others.

What is the Girl Scout Barbie controversy? ›

"Holding Barbie, the quintessential fashion doll, up as a role model for Girl Scouts simultaneously sexualizes young girls, idealizes an impossible body type, and undermines the Girl Scouts' vital mission to build 'girls of courage, confidence and character,'" Susan Linn, director of Campaign for a Commercial-Free ...

How does curvy Barbie compare with an average woman? ›

The 1:6 calculations reveal that Curvy Barbie would have a UK size 6/8 waist (63cm or 24.8in) and size 8 hips (91.2cm or 35.9in). Her waist-to-height ratio, which is considered by many a more accurate health measurement than Body Mass Index (BMI), is 0.38 - slim indeed.

What is Barbie doll syndrome? ›

The syndrome is characterised by an unhealthy preoccupation with physical appearance, namely a Barbie-like ideal. Body dysmorphic disorder, sometimes known as “Barbie doll syndrome” or “Barbie syndrome,” is characterized by an obsession with attaining an unrealistic ideal of beauty, such as that of a Barbie doll.

What was the Barbie Happy Family controversy? ›

The Happy Family product became the subject of controversy when some parents disliked the "pregnant" Midge toy because they believed that Midge was too young to have children.

Why was Barbie banned in Russia? ›

In the Middle East, Barbies were commonly banned for being “promiscuous” or “encouraging un-Islamic dress codes.” In Russia, they were banned for “encouraging consumerism among Russian infants.”

Who is the most Barbie like girl in the world? ›

Valeria Valeryevna Lukyanova (Ukrainian: Вале́рія Вале́ріївна Лук'я́нова; Russian: Валерия Валерьевна Лукьянова; born 1985) is a Moldova-born Ukrainian model and entertainer of Russian origin famous for her resemblance to a Barbie doll. She currently lives in Mexico.

Does Curvy Barbie have flat feet? ›

I have noticed that both Tall and Curvy Barbie come with two different types of feet depending on which doll you have. They either have flat feet or they have a slightly arched foot – not quite a high-heel shoe foot but close. The shoes in this pack (and in general for these dolls) fit each foot differently.

What size is the curvy Barbie? ›

More specifically, it is estimated that tall Barbie would be 5′11″ with a Size 4 waist in the United Kingdom and Size 2 hips in the United States; petite Barbie would be 4′11″ with a Size 2 waist and Size 0 hips (US size 0/2); curvy Barbie would be 5′6″ with a Size 6/8 waist and Size 8 hips (US size 4/6; Bates, 2016).

What Barbie was banned? ›

A court has barred sales in Mexico of a controversial Frida Kahlo Barbie doll, ruling that members of her family own the sole rights to her image. The toy company Mattel launched a range of new Barbie dolls based on "inspiring women" - artist Frida Kahlo among them.

Does Barbie have a Down syndrome doll? ›

Rosie Boo and Down Syndrome Barbie Doll are just two examples of how the toy industry is working to become more inclusive and diverse. By featuring characters with disabilities, these dolls promote empathy and acceptance, and teach children that everyone has value, regardless of their differences.

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