Need help to identify Barbie dress. Possible Beau Time variation.

by Pam Hayes
(Merrillville, IN)

I have a Barbie dress I've been trying to find out what it is. The closest I've found was Beau Time. It has a Barbie label, it's made out of cotton. This is from my childhood collection, it hasn't been played with for over 40 yrs. Any help would be appreciated as far as the name and price if possible.
Thank you

Hi Pam -
Your dress is from 1967 - it was called "Best Bow" and was a Fashion Pak item that only included the dress. It is the same pattern as Beau Time, but they all had the red top (although a variety of different red fabrics were used) and a variety of different prints for the skirt - some of them from other Barbie and Friends outfits. I guess this is how Mattel used up their left-over fabrics!
Suzanne

Questionable Barbie authentic blue and white swimsuit?

by Jessie
(North Carolina)

Hi! I inherited a 1960 #3 Vintage Barbie from my grandmother and its wearing a blue and white zebra striped swimsuit. Yes I do mean blue and white. I can't seem to find a tag on it but the pattern and material are exactly like the black and white swimsuits I also inherited. Can any one tell me if it's an original? Or what and when it was made for? I'm sorry I can't upload a picture but my computer won't let me for some reason. Thank you for all your help!!!!! Happy Collecting!!!!

Hi Jessie -
Barbie did not have a Blue & White Zebra Striped Swimsuit - hers was Black & White. I do believe that some of the Barbie "Clones" (or "knock-offs") must have come with them, because I have seen them before. As far as I know they would have little, if any, value.

Vintage Barbie Identification:: Blue Fuzzy Kitty

by Nancy
(Elgin,IL.)

Q:
found this in a bag of vintage clothes and items,it has 2 black beads for eyes,tiny, alittle larger pinkish bead for a nose,and 2 tanish felt-like ears. I'm pretty sure it's Barbie, can you tell me what outfit it goes with? Many Thanks!

A:
Sounds like the kitty from Vintage Skipper Dreamtime. Skipper had the Kitty - Barbie had the doggy in her coordinating outfit Nighty Negligee Set

Question About Wedding Gown for Vintage Barbie

At an auction last year, I purchased a Bubblecut Barbie that was wearing a wedding gown and little acetate(?) gloves. Underneath she was wearing a strapless bra and matching panties (sort of like tap pants). The odd thing is that there were no fasteners, so I had to "cut" (just a little bit at a seam) to remove the items. I was thinking that it made be homemade since there are no tags or fasteners, but I wouldn't think that something homemade would have the gloves or little necklace (or hair ornament, whatever it is!). I am attaching a picture. Items are yellowed due to age. If anyone recognizes these items, I would really appreciate their input. Thank you.


Hi -
I have seen this exact style dress before - I am fairly certain it is homemade - it must have been one of the vintage Barbie patterns that were available at the time. The gloves & necklace were probably genuine Barbie from another outfit.
Suzanne

Vintage Barbie Clothing Identification - Brown Coat

by mark
(Melbourne Australia)

Hello,

My girlfriend has been going through her vintage Barbie & Skipper gear and came across this item (pic included), which she can't identify? Can you assist? It is approx mid 1960s, fur coat item.
Cheers
Mark

Hi Mark - Your coat is It’s Cold Outside #819 (1964-1966)
Suzanne

several outfits need names for please

by Diane
(Fort Worth, TX)

Don’t know the names of these
name and date please if possible., also if in ensemble or pak

Top row left to right:
1 Blue striped sleeveless stretch tee
2; Pink “romper” suit that is what my aunt always called these one piece things
3: Yellow sleeveless sheath dress
4: Blue and white knit suit
5; Multi-colred striped strapless dress: gold cord at neck I guess was to “hold it up”
6: Short sleeve blue blouse

2nd row
7: Full length blue on top, white bottom with flowers
8: Blue striped, sleeveless dress
9: Silver lame with blue tulle and cape ( I asked about this the other day)
10: gold strapless with pink flower under a gold lace

Hi Diane -
I've just got a minute & don't have time to put in links - all of your outfits that are vintage are pictured & listed on the site. The yellow dress is Orange Blossom, the dresses are First Formal & Surburban Shopper. Knit top & playsuit are pak items. The blue top is a vintage Barbie pajama top - the other items are not vintage Barbie items.
Suzanne

Question about Original Barbie Doll Swimsuit

by Sharon Ockler
(Colden, NY )

I have a Blonde Barbe Doll from 1959 my sisters was brunette...hers came with the black and white striped suit mine was a red and white stripe suit.. I have seen no mention of a red and white suit in any of the descriptions of any Barbie Dolls anywhere..what is the story?? thanks Sharon

Hi Sharon-
Mattel never made a red & white striped swimsuit - the first one was Black & White Striped & the second one was solid red.
There were several Barbie Doll "clones" - or cheaper knock-offs on the market at the same time & some of them had different color striped swimsuits - I have seen blue & white stripes, red & white stripes & coral & white through the years.
Suzanne

Barbie Vintage Peignoir Robe ID Request

by Judy
(New York state)

Does anyone recognize this piece? Looks to be a peignoir "robe." Lace exterior with sheer lining. "Fur" cuffs (sheepskin-like fabric). Three snap closure. Is not tagged, but came with a group of 60s Barbie items. Thanks.!

Hi Judy -
This looks like the robe from Pink Moonbeams to me, but it had feather trim, not fur and no snaps, so I'm stumped!
Suzanne

Is this coat an original barbie?

by Barb Owens
(Iowa USA)

this orange coat has the barbie r in a circle tag. Under it is a tag that reads 02c and in hand writing s63. both are sewn in to the coat. it has an orange suede fabric with a "lambs wool" collar. there is also a sewn on belt. it is not the quality of any mattel barbie clothing i have seen. i cannot find it in any books or on the web. have I been fooled? thank you for any info you can give me. barb

Hi Barb -
The coat is from a Glamour Group #1510 (1970 - 1971) a Sear's Exclusive set - it is hard to find. The set included a casual knit dress with a vinyl belt and clutch purse, a Cotton Dress with RickRack Trim, a Dressy Dress, Your faux fur trimmed coat, a nightie with panties and shoes. There were numerous variations in fabrics and colors. You coat can be found in orange, blue, hot pink and brown. The brown one has multi-colored fur trim.
Suzanne

Question about Vintage Barbie Shoes marked Japan

by DeeAnne
(Omaha, Ne)

My sister and I have decided to part w/our Barbies. We met at our Mom's house this week to organize our Barbies. It has been over 40 years since we have seen our Barbies. Our Mom kept everything and to our surprise we had complete sets of just about every outfit. Needless to say between the 25+ booklets we found and your website we could complete the sets. We had over 25 pairs of Barbie OT and closed toed shoes. I attached some odd and ends in the picture. However, we are somewhat confused because everything we've read says one or the other shoe will have "Japan" stamped on it. All our shoes have Japan stamped on the bottom. Is this common?

PS: Thank you for a fantastic site.

Hi DeeAnne!
Thanks so much! We are now all jealous of you & your sister & your treasures & the fun you must be having!!
All of the open toe heels (sometimes called mules) came with a right shoe & a left shoe. The left shoe is marked Japan, the right shoe is unmarked. I have never seen an exception to that. On the closed toe shoes, there is no right and left & they are all marked on the bottom.
Have fun & thanks again!
Suzanne

Question about Barbie white rabbit fur stole

by Pat
(Helena, MT)

I have a Barbie white fur with the pink lining. I know there are Barbie white furs with a white lining. I am wondering if you can tell me what the difference is between the two and why the white lining seems to have a higher value. Thanks in advance for your assistance.

Hi Pat -
The white fur stole with white lining was included with Gay Parisienne #964 (1959) (which was only made in 1959 and was one of Barbie's very first ensembles) and also Junior Prom #1614 (1965), so it is much rarer and therefore more valuable.

The white fur stole with pink satin lining was from Enchanted Evening #983 (1960-1963) and also a Fashion Pak item from 1962 called "Fur Stole with Bag" that also had gold clutch purse. They are much more common and easier to find.

How can I tell the difference between new and repro vintage Barbie b&w swimsuits?

by Travis
(Tennessee)

I have several b&w swimsuits in my collection, recently I purchased one that was represented as vintage, but it has perfect elastic over the breast area and the white parts are solid white, it looks brand new, but no tags. How can I tell the difference?

Hi Travis -
In my experience the vintage ones are a thinner fabric than the repros and also not as "stretchy".
Also, all of the reproductions except the newest one My Favorite Barbie 1959 have a clear plastic neckband to hold it up.
I am adding a close up of a vintage suit.
Suzanne

Question About: Barbie Tennis Outfit

I have a Barbie tennis outfit from about 1963(?) but am having a difficult time actually determining the year because my outfit does not have a flared skirt but just a one-piece body suit with shorts. When was this made and where there a lot of this design?

Thank you, Marilyn


Hi Marilyn -
The white one piece suit does not go with the other pieces - it is Fashion Pak Scoop Neck Playsuit Cotton Mix & Match Group (1962-1963). The rest of the items are from Tennis Anyone? #941 (1962-1964).
Suzanne

Question About Red & White Zebra Swimsuit

by Jessica
(NY)

I don't know what doll this goes too. If it was a Mattel doll for a clone of Barbie. Could you please help

Barbie did not have a Red & White Zebra Striped Swimsuit - hers was Black & White. I do believe that some of the Barbie "Clones" (or "knock-offs") must have come with them, because I have seen them before. As far as I know they would have little, if any, value.

What is this outfit? Black Mood for Music?

by Diana Patton
(Oregon)

I have an outfit that looks just like "Mood for Music" only it's black. The long sleeved sweater is black with an angora-looking collar, no snaps or buttons. The shell is black with cap sleeves and 2 snaps. The pants are white cotton with one snap. Black open toed shoes and an orange belt (not sure if that goes with the outfit). All 3 pieces have the "Barbie by Mattel" labels in them. Sorry - no picture.

Does anyone recognize this. It had to have been from the very early 60's.

Thank you.

Hi Diana - Your items are from the 1962 Barbie Pak Collections

Is this a Barbie Stormy Weather Hat Variation?

by Sandra Mann
(Baltimore Maryland )

I have had this hat for some time , It is made of the same fabric as the stormy weather coat actually I like it better than the hat that is moast seen with the outfit . Received it in a lot of barbie clothes on Ebay . Can any one tell me more about this hat I have included photos .

Thank you

Hi Sandra -
I am not familiar with it - we'll see if anyone recognizes it.
Suzanne

Here is a link to Barbie's Stormy Weather.

Can you identify this vintage Barbie wool shell?

by Jeri Wingfield
(Shelby Township, MI USA)

It is a ecru wool knit shell with a square neck. It has two snaps in the back and a Barbie tag inside. It is sleeveless. It looks like the bottom of the shell from "Open Road", but it doesn't have short sleeves. It has a square neck like those from "Square Neck Sweater", but the bottom is not the same. Help!

Oh, and by the way, your website has been invaluable in identifying all my vintage Barbie pieces from my childhood. My memory certainly is not what it used to be, and your site really helped me put all the pieces back together as they originally came. Thank you so very much for all your research and time! You really blessed me!

Hi Jeri -
First, thank you so much for your kind words about the website, I really appreciate them.

I do think this is a Square Neck Sweater. The first ones made were wool & looked just like this. (I assume it was originally white.) Later they changed from wool to acrylic with a tighter weave and an attached bottom (instead of knitted-in like this one).
The wool ones didn't hold up as well as the acrylic ones - so they are much harder to find - especially without holes.
Suzanne

Question about white fur stole for Gay Parisienne

by Elizabeth Koch
(Silver Spring Md)

I am trying to find out if the fur stole for Gay Parisienne is supposed to have a Barbie label or not.

Hi Elizabeth -
It has always been my understanding that the White Fur Stole for Gay Parisienne #964 (1959) did not have a tag. In Vintage Barbie Doll ensembles, only one item is tagged. In Gay Parisienne, the tag was located in the dress.
Junior Prom #1614 (1965) also had an untagged white fur stole with white satin lining.
Which brings the question where do the tagged, white lined white fur stoles come from? My understanding is that the Pak fur stole from "Fur Stole with Bag" (1962 - 1963) was lined with pink satin. I see on two of the three vintage, complete Gay Parisienne listings currently on eBay, they have tagged stoles, BUT the tags have the (R) AND Barbie tags from 1959 should have the TM & not the (R) after Barbie's name - so now I am confused as well. Is there anyone who can clear this up for us?
Thanks-
Suzanne

Vintage Barbie Identification Request - Red Dress

by Suzanne Ortiz
(Chesapeake, VA)

Red (possible crepe) skirt with snap and sleeveless tunic length top. Top has black & white Barbie tag.

Hi Suzanne -
Your dress is from Music Center Matinee #1663 (1966-1967).
Suzanne

Question about Vintage Barbie Dress

by Susan Tortorice
(balto,md,usa)

Hi, it is very cute outfit but not sure what it is and if the zipper is original,any help would be appreciated.

Hi Susan -
Your outfit is Reception Line #1654 (1966-1967)

Susan also sent this picture wondering if possibly the zipper had been replaced:


Without seeing it in person I cannot say for sure, but it does seem to me that it was replaced at some point. It looks much larger than the zippers I am accustomed to seeing.

Suzanne

some and more help please

by Diane
(Texas)

Top Row
1: white lace “overdress”??
2: hat with green knit around the bottom
3: lace bonnet with yellow ties
4: straw hat with red brim
5: leopard patterened fur beret

2nd row
Pink dress with lace bonnet style hat: I had it on midge( that is I think she is midge) but it says Francine
2: hot pink cape
3: Hot pink felt hat with lace and feathers: not sure if maybe my mom did not make this???
4: patterned hose: kinda like a fishnet
5: pantyhose:

Hi Diane -
I've just got a minute & don't have time to put in links - all of your outfits are pictured & listed on the site. The white lace overdress is Orange Blossom, the purse is Evening Splendour, the straw hat is Picnic Set, the pink cape goes with the dress in the other picture - First Formal. The pink dress & hat are Dance Party.
Suzanne

Question regarding Vintage Barbie On the Go Floral Sheath

by Theo
(Scottsdale, AZ, USA)

Hi and thanks for being available for questions! I love your website and visit it very often. My questions involves the Vintage Barbie On the Go Floral Sheath Dress. The dress I have has snaps on the back like all of the other sheath dresses. However, every Floral Sheath Dress I see on ebay has a zipper. Which is correct? Or did it come both ways? Mine has the correct Barbie by Mattel label and the fabric is identical to all of the others I've seen. I've included 3 pictures to help in the identification. Thanks for any help you can offer.

Hi Theo -
I don't think I have ever seen one with a zipper - everyone I have seen has snaps. We'll see if anyone else has seen zippers?
Suzanne

Fur and Hat ID please?

by Alan
(Vancouver, Canada)

Hi there,

I have this fur wrap thing and a red veil/hat that I'm not sure is Vintage or not? It came with a bunch of other vintage Barbie outfits that I picked up at the thrift store but these two items I just can't seem to place... One other Barbie collector told me they were NOT vintage, but I wanted to get a second opinion and if they were not vintage, what outfits they were from?

Your help is greatly appreciated, and also AMAZING website, thanks for having it!!

alan


Thanks very much Alan -
I do not recognize these pieces as vintage Barbie items. If they were with vintage Barbie items they could very well be homemade (in that era almost all of our mothers were skilled seamstresses) or from other dolls.
Suzanne

Question About Vintage Barbie Doll Outfits with White Fur Stole

by Cathie Murphey
(Atlanta, Georgia)

The Barbie gown from the early 1960's, called "Enchanted Evening", was sold with this white fur stole. Is anyone aware of this same fur stole being sold in combination with any other Barbie outfits during the same time period?

Hi Cathie -
Gay Parisienne #964 (1959) and Junior Prom
each had a white stole, but they were lined in white satin. The only other item that included this stole was a Fashion Pak from 1962 called "Fur Stole with Bag" that also had gold clutch purse.
Suzanne

Is this Pink corduroy clutch Barbie & if so, which outfit ?

by Gloria Liford
(Baton Rouge, LA)

Is this Pink corduroy clutch Barbie & if so, which outfit ?

Pink Corduroy Clutch with White Satin Lining and White Pearl Clasp.

Hi Gloria -
I am not aware of a pink corduroy vintage Barbie purse, only the aqua blue one from Evening Splendour. I would assume it is a "clone" clothing accessory item, but I have nvere seen one before.
Suzanne

Vintage Barbie Clothing Identification - Belle Dress

by ernie
(PA)

Hi! I recently came upon a collection of Barbie dresses and there is one that Im not sure if it is from a Barbie collection, and if it is what its its name is. It has a small bow on the waist line, two metal snaps on the back and I would call it a faded denim or a bluish gray color. It is sleeveless and has no tags on it. Thanks for your help and time!

Hi Ernie -
This is a Vintage Barbie Fashion Pak Belle Dress (1962-1963) - it should have a tag.
Suzanne

Barbie Tennis Anyone? Tennis Shoes

by Shawn Baker
(Olathe, KS)

Do you know if the tennis shoes in Barbie Tennis Anyone should have a Japan on the bottom of one or Korea? I have a pair of tennis shoes that have Korea on the bottom and I think they should Japan on the bottom if they go with the tennis anyone outfit. Thanks for you help.


Hi Shawn -

The Tennis Anyone shoes should be marked Japan. Barbie items were made in Korea from 1973 to 1978 - Tennis Anyone? was made from 1962 - 1964 - all Barbie items were made in Japan through 1968, and some were made in Japan from 1969 to 1972.
Suzanne

Help! Two dresses I can't identify!! Can you help????

by Mark
(Melbourne Australia)

Here is the 1st!

This is Holiday Dance #1639 (1965-1966).

Question About VIntage Barbie Gay Parisienne White Fur Stole

by kathy
(tn)

Did the white fur with white lining ever have a label in it that had TM? My Gay Parisienne outfit has the white fur with white lining and a TM label. On Ebay there is Gay Parisienne oufit and the owner states that there never was a white fur with white lining for Gay Parisienne with a TM label. Is this true?

Have you ever seen this wedding dress or do you think its handmade?

by Linda
(Roch. N.Y.)

I bought this Barbie awhile back. Her butt is stamped Midge Barbie. I was just wondering if the dress is handmade or not. She also has a slip and underwear. Part of the veil seems to be connected to her head with a string and then there is the mesh part that goes over that. The dress doesn't have any tag in it. It's off white. Thank You!

Hi Linda -
I have never seen it before - I would guess, as you did, that it is homemade.
Suzanne

Vintage Barbie SwimSuit Identification Help

by Terry
(USA)

Please help me identify the pink and gold striped bathing suit. It has a YKK zipper on the back and no tags inside. The outside is ruff because the sparkly gold is slightly raised from the Pink. The inside is a smooth silky pink. Not sure if it is Barbie or not, but thought I should start here because all the other ones it came with was Barbie, skipper or Tammy outfits.

Hi Terry -
This is so similar to the Barbie Fashion Queen original swimsuit, I would assume it is a "knock-off" or clone. Maybe someone else will recognize it.
Suzanne

Vintage Barbie Doll Pink Sweater Id

by elishah

This site has helped me id all of my vintage finds, but this one thick v neck sweater. any info is much appreciated.

Hi Elishah -
Your sweater is from Vacation Time from 1965.
Suzanne

Help Identifying a Barbie Outfit

by Joy
(NC)

Question
I have a bubble hair Barbie who came with this yellow summer dress, a purse, sunglasses, and a net hat attached to her head. Do you know what the outfit is called? The markings on her bottom are the cursive Barbie with the Roman Numeral 1968 and Pat. Pending. I'm including a picture.
Thank you.

Answer

Hi Joy -
I do not recognize the dress and am wondering if it is homemade? Does it have a tag? What type of closures does it have in the back?
Does any one else recognize it?
Suzanne

Is This a Vintage Barbie Doll Gown?

by Sara Olsen
(West Des Moines, Iowa)

I would like a little more info on this vintage gown. I'm not even sure if it is Barbie brand. The top is a velvety red, and the bottom of the dress is white with red polka dots. Thanks so much!

Hi Sara -
This is not a Mattel Vintage Barbie Dress. Is there any kind of tag? In the 1960s many of us also had homemade Barbie clothes as many of our mothers were very skilled seamstresses. It is a lovely dress, none-the-less!
Suzanne

Vintage Barbie Shoes marked "Japan Premier"?

I am trying to get some information about some barbie shoes that I have. They are marked "Japan Premier" on both shoes and are from around 1960. Are these just vintage knock-off barbie shoes? Do they have any value? Thanks you so much for the help.


As far as I know these are knock-offs and would have little, if any, value. More info here about Vintage Barbie Shoes.
Suzanne

Need help identifying a vintage Barbie outfit.

by Jacqueline McDonald
(Canada)

pink satin sheath knee length dress with white lace coat with matching satin bow.
Has the black and white vintage Barbie tag inside the dress and the lace coat has a tag with the number 24 which just came off when I tried to unfurl it.
thank you so much, I can't find this anywhere,
Jacquie

Your outfit is Garden Wedding #1658 (1966-1967)

Strapless Yellow /Silver Satin Gown w/Black & White Barbie tag

This gown has the older original B&W Barbie tag and the dress has a strapless shiny silver material bodice with a satiny bright yellow long full length skirt. The gown has a soft, older white netting material as an overlay. It has an emblem of some sort (in a silver mesh material) on the lower center front area of the skirt as well as a band of soft silver edging along the bottom. I cannot find this dress anywhere for reference. I will include a picture for...thank you sincerely for any info!! Mary


Hi Mary - Your dress is the ball gown from the 1964 Cinderella set -
Vintage Barbie Cinderella.

Identification of European Dress and Fur Wrap for Barbie

by sara
(texas)

I would like your help in identifying this Barbie outfit please. It is from the early 60's. I lived in England and i got on of the "new" Blond Barbies and a lot of outfits. I do not know if this outfit goes together; it was the outfit that was on her when i packed her to leave home 30 years ago. The dress is really a beautiful cut and has very small machine stitches. The fur wrap, to me, looks like rabbit with a small seed pearl fastening that has come away.

Hope you can help,
Sara

Hi Sara -
I do not recognize these - I suspect they are homemade - do they have tags? The vintage Barbie white rabbit stoles all had tags and were lined in pink satin except for Gay Parisienne, which was lined in white satin and had no tag.
I do not know of any stoles that had anything besides a hook-and-eye closure.

But there were different things for the European market, so I could be wrong. I'm sure others will share their opinions in the comments!

What is this dress?

by Ron
(Calif)

My mother passed away in June of 07 at the tender age of 91. She always loved...stuff...and dolls were one of her loves. The thing was, she collected everything of value... or no value...just stuff that appealed to her...and that is all that really matters! So anyway, I have been going thru this stuff and selling it on ebay and while doing so I ran across this gown. It is a very nice brocade, and looks somewhat similar to the Gala Abend style from the 2006 Christies auction. I found this in a bag of other Barbie clothes, there are no other pieces that I have run across that match this. So if it is complete or not, I have no idea. It does has two u shaped clips in the back that should hook on to receivers made of thread, but the thread is broken so you can not close the back. There is no makers tag but the quality is extremely good...in my opinion. If you were to ask me, I would say the fur trim is real, but I am not positive about this. Does anyone have any information they would be willing to share about this piece? It has been stored for about 25 years & I have no idea where or when she may have acquired it. As it does belong to the estate, it will eventually be sold, but that will not happen for a while. Regards! Ron

Are there two different versions/sizes of the red velvet clutch for Red flare and Golden elegance?

by Mary
(Ohio)

Are there two different versions/sizes of the red velvet clutch for Red flare and Golden elegance?