original 1959 Barbie in a striped black and white outfit against a blue background

A 20th Century Phenomenon: Barbie Through the Decades

by Bryn Garrett

Barbie in the 1980s

Fitting for the decade, everything was bigger with Barbie in the '80s, from her hair to her career path. The era also saw more diverse dolls in terms of ethnicity and skin color, which allowed for more representation for young girls who owned and played with Barbies. Let's take a look at how Barbie reflected the real-life trends of the '80s.




the face of a 1980s Barbie with smoky blue eyeshadow, chunky gold star earrings, and blonde hair with voluminous bangs
1980s Barbie in a fluffy red gown with big blonde hair and bows
Barbie and Ken stand beside the 1980s Dreamhouse, which has pink and white infrastructure

Makeup

Barbie's hair and makeup showcased the bold trends women had begun to adopt at the time. The doll's voluminous bangs, smoky blue eyeshadow, and chunky star-shaped earrings scream the '80s.

Fashion

The 1988 Happy holiday Barbie had big shiny hair to match her fluffy red gown and big bows. Bright colors and dazzling accessories were Barbie trademarks at the time.

Dreamhouse

Barbie's 1985 Dreamhouse was the epitome of Barbie with its almost entirely pink infrastructure. The A-frame roof was becoming more common in models of the Dreamhouse, and it reflected just about any young girl's suburban dream.

Barbie accessories from the 1980s, including neon-colored hairbrushes, plates, purse, cameras, scissors, shoes, a television set, etc.
Barbie lounges in a pink tiled bubblebath in a room with pink floral wallpaper and pink furniture and accessories
Barbie and three friends clas in 1980s attire and big hair sit in a white convertible

Accessories

The neon colors of the '80s were mirrored in Barbie accessories. The plasti pieces weren't just for utility after all, but for playing with and having fun.

Furniture

Barbie's classic hue of pink is reflected here in a doll-sized bathroom with a backdrop of floral wallpaper and, of course, a doll basking in the tub with big hair.

Cars

Barbie's love for convertible continued on into the 1980s. This stylish ride was one of many fresh models released within the decade.

1986 doll dressed in traditional Peruvian attire, with a patterned skirt, shawl, and two thick braids
A boxed 'Day-and-Night Barbie' from 1985, dressed in a pink professional dress set and scarf, with a pager, hat, and purse as accessories
Barbie, Ken, Christie, and Stacey stand outside a shop in fun 1980s attire, including rollerskates, leg warmers, and of course, big hair

Body Types

This Barbie doll from the Dolls of the World Barbie Collection was the first latina Barbie doll, released in 1986 (just before the release of the well-known latina doll Teresa, one of Barbie's best friends). In the '80s, the brand was beginning to put out more ethnically diverse dolls, with skin colors and hair textures never before represented by Barbie. Designed by Kitty Black-Perkins, the first Black Barbie doll who wasn't known only as a friend of Barbie was released in 1980, with the slogan, "She's black! She's beautiful! She's dynamite!"

Careers

The Day-to-Night Barbie, released in 1985, is just one example of Barbie's career-driven personality. In the '80s, Barbie assumed her first corporate role and even rose to fame as a rockstar.

Friends

In the '80s, a few of Barbie's friends were introduced, including her cousin Jazzie, the return of her BFF, Midge, and the iconic Teresa.