Barbie Through the Years! See How the Iconic Doll Has Transformed Over Her Fabulous 65-Year Reign
The Barbie you grew up with may look nothing like today’s dolls—see all the changes!
Barbie has certainly been capturing the hearts of little girls everywhere for more than 60 years, and she’s just as popular as ever. Though she was an immediate hit after her debut, the beloved doll has still gone through a number of transformations, from hairstyles and fashion to careers and body type. Find out more below about how the original Barbie compares to newer versions of the doll. Plus, take a trip down memory lane to see Barbie through the decades!
1950s: Original Barbie
In March 1959, the very first “Barbie” doll hit the toy market in the United States. Ruth Handler, co-founder of the toy company Mattel, Inc., created the 11-inch “Barbara Millicent Roberts” doll, which was the first mass-produced toy doll in the country.
The original Barbie came wearing a black-and-white striped bathing suit and earrings. She also sported pouty red lips and a blonde ponytail.
1960s: Bubblecut Barbie
Within just a couple of years, Barbie got her first makeover. Known as the Bubblecut Barbie, her ponytail was replaced by a much shorter hairstyle in a variety of colors: blonde, titian (red), raven (black) and brownette.
The 1961 release included the famous striped swimsuit, but the Barbies that hit the shelves from 1962 to 1967 came in a red swimsuit and sported red, open-toed heels.
1970s: Quick Curl Barbie
As clothing styles for adults continued to change, Barbie’s appearance followed suit. The ’70s saw the introduction of Quick Curl Barbie, whose hair could be lengthened or shortened with a gentle tug of her ponytail.
The Deluxe Quick Curl Barbie (released in 1976) wore an ankle-length dress, a white fringed shawl, pilgrim shoes and a faux pearl necklace. She also came with a comb, hair pins, brush and plastic curler to add to the hair-styling fun.
1980s: Barbie and The Rockers
The iconic doll’s transformation from the original Barbie was very much on display with the Barbie and The Rockers doll line from the 1980s. Barbie and her rockstar pals were released in 1986, donning vibrant ’80s fashion complete with neon jackets, hoop earrings and large hair bows. Her package also included iron-on decals and a cassette tape featuring a few songs.
The popularity of the doll line led to the 1987 television special Barbie and the Rockers: Out of this World. Other variations of the rockstar dolls were also released years later.
1990s: Pretty Hearts Barbie
Barbie showed off a softer side in the early ’90s with the 1991 Pretty Hearts Barbie, as seen on the left. She was sold in a pretty dress dotted with ruby red hearts. Her blonde hair had transformed from the noticeable perm back to a softer, wavy style.
The back of the package box read, “A sweetheart of a gift for a special girl,” which surely put a smile on the face of anyone who received the doll.
2000s: Hot Spot Barbie
Those puff sleeve dresses of the 1980s were nowhere to be seen when Barbie entered the new millennium. The 2001 Hot Spot Barbie was released wearing a short, polka dot dress and bright pink lipstick to match.
She was one of many lines that Mattel released during the decade to modernize Barbie and give her a more up-to-date fashion makeover. Just a few years later, the Fashion Fever line came out in 2004.
2010s: Campfire Barbie
The next decade saw the popular doll taking a more relaxed approach to her wardrobe and makeup. Some variations like 2017’s Campfire Barbie and 2016’s Barbie Walk and Potty Pup Play Set meant comfortable shorts, a shirt and boots or tennis shoes. Her ‘do also had a simple straight appearance.
Despite her more simplistic style, this was a time when Barbie dolls began to have more diverse body types, eye color, hair textures and more.
2020s: Marine Biologist Barbie
Barbie was back in a bathing suit for this 2022 release, this time for the Careers line! The Marine Biologist doll (available with blonde or brunette hair) comes complete with a mobile lab and accessories for her underwater adventures.
Her iconic striped swimsuit and heels may have been replaced by a slick turquoise suit and snorkeling fins, but she still looks just as fabulous as ever! Now, she also has a dazzling smile to accompany her new look.
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