The World's Best Dressed Doll: Barbie Doll Fashions from 1959 - 1967

From the beginning of Barbie in 1959, she and her friends had lovely clothes and accessories for all occasions. These doll clothes were much more then just…well, doll clothes. They were truly miniature fashion history pieces. The doll fashions of that era reflected the fashion trends of the times and the detail and skill involved was immaculate. The first Barbie doll fashions were made in Japan and were of superior quality and workmanship. As labor costs in Japan continued to increase, Mattel had to seek out less costly labor. Hong Kong, Korea and Taiwan produced the clothes in the later years.

The Barbie doll fashions of today are not nearly as nice and intricately made as the early Barbie years. If the same skilled handwork, costly fabrics, and minute details of the early Barbie doll fashions were used today, the mass market couldn't afford them. I would have loved to have been in the room with the Mattel designers back in the beginning! Even though the Barbie doll fashions were created to be playthings for children, the quality was above all other.

The main characteristics of Barbie doll fashions created from 1959 - 1967 were:

1. All costumes and accessories were manufactured in Japan.

2. Barbie doll's open-toed pumps came in pairs with a left and right shoe. The left shoes were all marked "Japan".

3. Mattel used zippers marked "YKK" on the zipper pull.

4. The costumes were labeled in at least one piece of a multiple-piece outfit.

Doll collectors over the last 40 years have found variations in Barbie doll fashions. These pieces are even more special and are of higher value.

With the birth of the Barbie doll in 1959 also came 22 fashions available for her to wear. These first Barbie doll fashions were mainly glamorous with a few casual outfits thrown into the mix. These early doll fashions featured shoes with holes at the ball of the foot to accommodate the insertion of the pronged stand.

Three of the most highly sought after fashion ensembles from 1959 on the secondary market are "Gay Parisienne", "Roman Holiday" and "Easter Parade". These three outfits were not made after 1959 and if you can find these NRFB (never removed from box) on the secondary market, plan on paying up to $4,000.00 for each one!

In 1960, new outfits were added to the line. Six new fashion ensembles joined 19 outfits that were continued from 1959. The new Barbie doll fashions added in this year were glamorous evening attire, date dresses and two fashion ensembles for the working woman. The most popular Barbie doll fashion designs from 1960 on the secondary market are "Silken Flame", "Enchanted Evening", "Solo In The Spotlight", and "Busy Gal". Collectors can pay anywhere from $150.00 - $350.00 NRFB on the secondary market for these desirables.

The year 1961 brought eight new fashion ensembles to the Barbie doll wardrobe, bringing Barbie's total wardrobe count up to 30 fashion ensembles. The Ken doll was also out now and he had a fashionable wardrobe of nine ensembles as well. Barbie doll fashion outfits added to the collection were more career-oriented. Some of these included "American Airlines Stewardess", "Registered Nurse" and "Ballerina". On the secondary market, you will see these NRFB outfits and ensembles ranging in price from $200.00 - $250.00.

In 1962, Barbie doll got a new hairdo - the bubble cut. With her new hairdo she had to get a new wardrobe! Barbie's fashions would include more casual ensembles this year, as she would become a tennis player ("Tennis Anyone?") and an ice skater ("Icebreaker"). Eight new fashions were added that included four new daytime dresses and a velvet coat. Twenty-eight doll fashion outfits from 1959 - 1961 returned as well. Outfits such as "After Five", "Red Flare", and "Mood for Music" will cost a collector $150.00 - $175.00 NRFB today. The "mix-and-match paks", or "Fashion Paks", were also introduced this year for Barbie and Ken.

In 1963, the "Fashion Queen" Barbie doll was introduced. Barbie's best friend, Midge, was also introduced and together these girls accumulated 17 new fashion outfits. Twenty outfits from the previous years were still available to purchase, along with the new "Fashion Paks". Barbie and Midge doll fashion ensembles such as "Dinner at Eight", "Orange Blossom", and "Bride's Dream" were highlights of the year. These gorgeous, intricate fashions will sell for $175.00 $350.00 today NRFB.

Barbie doll got a new sister in 1964 - Skipper. This was the year of "Miss Barbie" and her innovative design with bendable legs was a turning point in the doll industry. Many new Barbie doll fashions were available this year. The theme for Barbie's fashions in 1964 was the "Travel and Theatre" series that are highly collectible today. These elaborate outfits included "Barbie in Japan", "Barbie in Mexico", and "Little Red Riding Hood and The Wolf". These great collector pieces NRFB bring from $300.00 - $350.00 or more on the secondary market.

In 1965, Barbie doll's circle of friends grew, as well as her wardrobe. Skipper's new friends, Scooter and Ricky, were introduced this year. The new bendable leg versions for Barbie dolls and her friends were out and the "ease of posing" was a highlight for that year's fashions. The new "Sew Free Fashion Fun" concept was introduced. "Sew Free Fashion Fun" outfits such as "Patio Party", "Sorority Tea", and "Pretty Traveler" command prices up to $125.00 NRFB today.

The 1966 Barbie doll "Fashion Pak" line had 20 new additions that year. Some outfits were repeated, but with a twist on some of the contents, name, or stock number. Avid Barbie doll collectors will have a field day trying to acquire all of the pieces that were available in these "Fashion Paks" from yesteryear. Department store Barbie doll fashions continue to grow as well. The Sears Exclusive, "Pink Formal", has a value of $600.00 NRFB on the secondary market. Other spectacular doll outfits from 1966 were "Sunday Visit" and "Fabulous Fashion" which avid collectors will pay up to $600.00 NRFB.

In 1967, the "Twist 'N Turn" Barbie doll was introduced with a new face mold. The new Barbie doll had a more youthful, teenage "mod" appearance that was popular for that time. This was the start of the "mod" fashion series for Barbie doll, as 16 new "Ensemble Paks" and four new "Color Magic" costumes were added. Highlights for the new "Twist 'N Turn" Barbie to sport this year were "Disco Dater", "Pajama Pow", and "Mini Print". These bright, colorful fashion outfits value NRFB at $150.00 - $175.00 each.

The "mod" era for Barbie doll fashions continued up through the early 1970s. Because of rising costs, the clothes after this period were just not of good quality and the make, fit, and intricate details were no more. For doll collectors, the Barbie doll fashions from 1959 - 1967 are the cream of the crop and collectors are willing to pay top dollar for mint, pristine pieces they need to complete their fashion collections.