We hope you’re just as excited as us, here at Glass Onion, for the much anticipated Barbie movie. We’ve curated an everything Barbiecore collection and are here to tell you all about the trend, the evolution of Barbie as an aesthetic, and how to get the perfect look!
What Is Barbiecore Fashion?
Originally inspired from the Barbie doll and recently revived as a trend, with the announcement of a new movie this year, Barbiecore fashion sparks true Y2K nostalgia. An everything pink aesthetic, glitter, florals and kitsch styles can be seen again on the runway, trickling down into high-street fashion, and of course, in our vintage take.
Where Did The Barbiecore Trend Come From and When Did It Start?
Emerging as a result of collective nostalgia for the iconic Barbie doll, the Barbiecore trend has appeared in magazines, on our screens and even in stores in a variety of nuances.
Created by Ruth Handler and introduced by the American toy company Mattel in 1959, the Barbie doll was an instant catch, now recognised worldwide, a cultural icon embodying femininity, glamour and aspiration. Over the decades, Barbie dolls and their wardrobes have adapted to reflect changes in fashion trends and have had a major influence on popular culture.
High end designers have included Barbie inspired elements in their collections over the years. Both Valentino and Moschino have famously portrayed the iconic pink and doll-like features on their runways, as Barbie evolved into more than just a toy.
In the early 00’s, the infamous Y2K trend was carried by fashion icons such as Paris Hilton, Nicole Richie and Britney Spears. They all contributed to popularising the Barbie trend we still see today, including elements of glitter, pink and accessorising in their outfits for public appearances. Around this decade, film played an important role in bringing the Barbie aesthetic to light, movies such as Clueless, Legally Blonde and Mean Girls are a few to hint at the personification of the doll into the roles of main characters.
Image source: Pinterest
Today we see Barbie in an adapted aesthetic, one which blends high end with Y2K, but also focuses on softer elements. The upcoming release of the new movie by Greta Gerwig featuring Margot Robbie is the reason for the trend’s resurgence. Social media trends seen on Tik Tok and Instagram are truly propelling Barbiecore to a whole new level. The movie has inspired celebrities such as Lizzo and Florence Pugh to adopt a head to toe pink Barbie look, this having an effect on the rise of the trend, to eventually reach our wardrobes.
Barbiecore fashion topped as a trend in 2022 (Lyst’s 2022 “Year in Fashion report), this peaked with the release of images of Margot Robbie on set, wearing an all-hot pink Western outfit which saw searches for pink clothing exceed by 400%. Our Remade team then got to designing the collection which was when our Remade Fitted Waistcoat in Pink was created, to replicate a similar product worn by Robbie. Irish Presenter, Author and model, Laura Whitmore, came into our Sheffield Store whilst in the city to host a talk and loved the waistcoat, buying one for herself and rocking it at Glasto!
Barbiecore Outfits: How To Dress Barbiecore
Barbiecore is the ultimate playful trend – it’s all about boldness, nostalgia, accessorising and, of course, pink. There aren’t too many rules, Barbiecore outfits don’t restrict themselves to pieces, nuances, cuts and patterns. To break it down for you, we’ve suggested different ways you can style your vintage so that your outfit catches the eye and makes you feel like part of the Barbie world.
Dresses and Skirts
Barbiecore outfits can throwback to the 1950s classic silhouette with flare and fit dresses that emphasise the waist. Dresses with prints are best for signifying the playfulness of this trend – polka dots, floral patterns or novelty motifs are bound to make your outfit fun, bold, and especially unique when shopped vintage.
Skirts can suggest different eras of Barbie based on their cut and what you choose to style them with. If you’re going for a retro-inspired look, style an A-line skirt with a blouse or patterned shirt. If you’re a fan of Y2K, try a mini skirt and cropped blouse, preferably with some embellished gems or metallic details.
Tops and Blouses
Puffed sleeve blouses and tops create a doll-like silhouette to an outfit, while adding a touch of vintage charm. Very fitting to the Barbiecore aesthetic, such blouses can be short or long sleeved, embellished or featuring delicate ruffles or pleats.
The cut of a top can also indicate inspirations taken from Barbie – sweetheart necklines are typically featured on dolls and princesses, but have been adapted to real life to give an outfit a romantic and feminine feel. Seen on the red carpet paired with a pleated skirt, or suit trousers, these tops are a great piece to have in your wardrobe.
Colours and Prints
As we already know, Barbie can appear in many different fonts. If you’re fearful of the brighter shades of pink and you find yourself to be more of a minimalist, don’t worry! Pastel is in for this trend, Barbiecore features soft tones and dreamy colours, including lavender, baby blue, mint green and lemon yellow. This palette contributes to the whimsical and nostalgic vibe of the trend and looks good on everyone.
If you’re into more playful prints, Barbiecore embraces everything gingham, polka dots, floral and novelty motifs such as cherries or bows. These can add a youthful touch to any outfit, if you’re going for a striking look you could even experiment with combining the two.
Accessories
These are a must have in the creation of any Barbiecore outfit. Oversized bows are a very common accessory in Barbiecore fashion. They can be found on vintage dresses, skirts, or can be worn in the hair or as bow-tied collars. You can wear as few or as many as you want!
Pearl jewellery is a symbol for a more retro-inspired Barbiecore outfit. You can wear pearls as necklaces, bracelets or earrings to add a touch of sophistication. You can never layer enough pearls!
Vintage handbags are a great accessory to complete a Barbiecore look. Boxy designs, structured shapes, whether large or small, a retro-inspired handbag can go a long way. These can also be adapted to any look, so it’s great to invest in an item you can wear for years to come.
Shoes
Classic Mary Jane pumps are probably one of the most frequent shoes worn to signify a Barbiecore look. You can find them with a low or medium heel. This retro style shoe has come back into fashion and can be seen worn today by the likes of Jenifer Lawrence, Emma Stone and Gigi Hadid. They add a touch of femininity, and when bought vintage are likely to be made from quality materials so that you can style them again and again.
If you prefer a casual look or are looking for comfortability, Barbiecore also embraces flats, whether that be ballet flats or a pair of Converse.
Overall, Barbiecore outfits combine elements from past eras with contemporary fashion to create a nostalgic style. The focus is on embracing femininity, celebrating playful prints, and utilising a soft pastel colour palette to capture the essence of Barbie's timeless allure.
Get The Barbiecore Look
Our one of a kind Barbie collection features Remade pieces, handmade in our South Yorkshire factory from fabrics that were originally destined for landfill. A bandana halter top and a cowboy raglan tee have been created to go alongside our unique vintage finds; these are designs inspired by what outfits we’ve seen on Margot Robbie so far in the movie trailers and ads, and we hope you love them! Check out our website to find dresses, blouses and bottoms to get your perfect Barbie look.
Now that you know the history of Barbiecore and ways to style this trend, we hope you check out our collection page and Remade pieces and love them just as much as we do! We’re confident that you’ll have a great outfit prepared for your cinema trip this week with pieces that are sustainable and long lasting.
