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 Vintage Barbie Sunglasses

by Becca

I found these sunglasses at a sale with some other Barbie stuff that was not vintage. They look like they are older to me. how do you tell?

H Becca -
Having seen numerous pair of both the vintage & reproduction sunglasses over these years, these look like the reproductions to me.

Here is an up close picture of a vintage pair - I think you will be able to see the difference.


Suzanne

Question About Barbie Tags and Shoe Markings

by Lara
(California)

Can someone please tell me about the tags and markings. I know black and white tags are the oldest and TM are harder to find than R. I know shoes marked Japan are most desirable and ones with holes in them are for the first outfits. But what comes next? I have seen Genuine barbie tags and purple barbie tags and shoes marked Taiwan, Hong Kong, Philippines, China, etc.

Can someone please give me the order of when these were made or which are next best after Japan. Or even a link to a site or book explaining the History of the Barbie markings.
Thank you so much!!

So we start with:
B&W tags Japan shoes
??? ????

Need help identifying a vintage Barbie outfit. (Garden Wedding)

by Jacqueline McDonald
(Canada)

Pink Satin Dress/White lace coat

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)

Vintage Barbie Identification Request - Red Dress ( Music Center Matinee)

by Suzanne Ortiz
(Chesapeake, VA)

Mystery Red Barbie Outfit

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

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.

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

Vintage Barbie Sweet Dreams, #973, Gold Loop for Blue Hair Ribbon

by Deborah
(Cocoa, FL)

First of all this is an incredible website and I appreciate all the work that it represents! I can not find a picture of the gold loop from Sweet Dreams. I think this is from that set, but would appeciate if anyone could confirm that from a set they have. Thank you!
Deborah

Thank you so much, Deborah!
I have attached 2 pictures of Sweet Dreams
with the gold hoop attached to the blue ribbon - it does look like your hoop could be the same one.
Suzanne

Question about first prototype fish that came in 967 Picnic set (1959)

Vintage Barbie Picnic Set

hi there,

I was wondering if you had an more information on the first prototype fish that came with the 967 picnic set. Do you have a picture? Do you know what
it looks like?
any info you could provide would be greatly appreicated.

tahnks,
lexi.

Hi Lexi -
I don't have any information about the fish from Picnic Set - But I'll post your question in case anyone else knows. (I am also adding a photo)
Suzanne

can you indentify this outfit please >> Saturday Matinee

by suzanne
(Essex UK)

glod and brown pencil skirt
real fur collars and cuffs on the jacket
hat
short brown gloves
open toe brown shoes
single pearl on a chain
fur bag
earrings

It is Saturday Matinee #1615 (1965).

Question about Vintage Barbie Shoes marked Japan

by DeeAnne
(Omaha, Ne)

Barbie Shoes

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

What ensemble do the medium blue open toe shoes go with

by Diane
(Texas)

blue ot shoes

i have several odd items I don't know what they go with, one is the blue OT shoes.

Diane

Hi Diane -
They were included with American Girl Barbie Doll and Firelights - Not sure what else.
Suzanne

Is this outfit Barbie's "Solo in the Spotlight" dress?

by Joy
(Florida)

Solo in the Spotlight?

This is from my childhood (late 60's - early 70's) and I think it's "Solo in the Spotlight". When I looked it up on ebay, the listings I found described it as stretchy and glittered. Mine is not. This one is made of a stiff black cotton fabric and is covered with black tulle. I had it on a bubble cut Barbie body (I tossed her head back in the day because I thought she was ugly - regretting that now). Any ideas? Thank You!

Hi Joy -
Yes this is Solo in the Spotlight - the dresses didn't hold up very well - ones that were played with often had the sparklies worn off.
Suzanne

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?

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

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

by Pam Hayes
(Merrillville, IN)

Beau Time?

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

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

Name of Barbie outfit?

by Michaela
(Czech Republic)

Hello there, I'd like to ask you for help with identifying one Barbie outfit. It came to me on my Bubble Cut Barbie, but it's probably much more younger. First I thought that it's homemade outfit (as seller said to me), but then I found a label on the skirt - Barbie TM COLLECTIBLES 17572-5039. So it's probably from one of the collectible dolls. The t-shirt doesn't have any label so it's probably the homemade part of the outfit. Thanks for any help! Michaela

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

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

Identification Help: Barbie Yellow Satin Gown

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.

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

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

Barbie Long Skirt and Matching Long jacket Pink with gold polka dots callled????

Hi,
I have searched quite a while and can't find the name or any information on this Barbie skirt and long jacket outfit..marked with Barbie /Mattel Tag.any suggestions? MANY THANKS IN ADVANCE. What a great website thanks for doing this!!

Hi -
Your items are from Fashion Pak Satin Mix and Match Group from 1963.
Suzanne

Vintage Barbie Doll Pink Sweater Id (Vacation Time)

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

Need help to ID Barbie accessories

by Debbie
(Hollister, CA, USA)

Barbie ID questions

1) Two strand beaded black, orange & crystal necklace w/clasp
2) Pearl necklace (NOT graduated) on wire
3) Gold triangle dangle earrings
4) ?Color magic, cut out yourself outfit (dress, jacket, scarf & purse), no tags or markings

Questions about Vintage Barbie Shoes Find

by Barbie fan
(Australia)

I've found a few of my original Barbie bits and pieces in an old box! Only one item of clothing unfortunately - the peignoir from the Nightly Negligee set (and how beautifully made the clothes were in those days!) - plus some shoes.

The shoes are: One lone black open toe shoe (probably from the After Five set), a pair of red open toe shoes (probably from Barbie in Mexico) and a pair of dark (royal?) blue open toe shoes. I also have a pair of soft plastic white tennis shoes, a smaller (and slightly yellowed) pair of tennis shoes and a hard plastic pair of heeled (cowboy?) boots with "Barbie" down the side of them.

I've been identifying the clothing I used to have and aside from the sets mentioned above. I know I had the Barbie Baby-Sits (the one with the pink striped apron) and Drum Majorette set - but that doesn't explain the blue shoes, tennis shoes and boots, so I have a few questions.

Blue shoes: I still have a later black Quick Curl Cara doll. She came in a multi coloured outfit but I don’t remember what shoes - maybe blue ones? Otherwise, can someone suggest what clothing set these may belong with.

Tennis shoes: I don't remember owning a tennis outfit for Barbie (but perhaps my memory isn’t what it was). Are there any other outfits that might include white tennis shoes? Or maybe they were for Francie? Is there any way to tell if they are genuine?

Smaller Tennis shoes: As for the slightly yellowed tennis shoes - they certainly look like they are from the 1960s, but they don't fit my swirl ponytail repro doll. Could they have been for Skipper?

Boots: Are the boots a genuine Barbie item? If so, what outfit do they belong with?

I wasn’t able to take a good pic of the smaller shoes but attached is one of the boots and 'larger' white tennis shoes.

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 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

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

Help! Two dresses I can't identify!! Can you help???? (Holiday Dance)

by Mark
(Melbourne Australia)

Here is the 1st!

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

Need help identifying a green outfit, with shoes and framed picture and a wedding dress

by Christi Engelberger
(Seymour, TN)

First outfit in green with TNT Barbie

I have a beautiful green dress, with green shoes and a gold framed picture of a sailboat. I was wondering if someone to assist in determining which outfit this is? I have come across a Barbie case of the Malibu Barbie, and a 1968 TNT in mint condition full of beautiful Barbie clothes. I have been able to determine most of the outfits, with the exception of two. They all seem to be in the same time frame from 1967 - 1970.

Also, did the TNT have her nails and toes painted or her fingers only? Mine has her fingernails painted beautifully, but no evidence of paint on her toes.

Hi - your outfit is Modern Art

Vintage barbie Question: Is this a Barbie Coat/Sweater?

by Andrea
(GA)

Striped sweater/coat with white, ornage, green, and red. No tag.

Hi Andrea -
This is not a vintage Barbie item - it looks like it may be a homemade item, which were very popular in the 1960s.
Suzanne

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

by Mark
(Melbourne Australia)

And here is the 2nd one!

This is the overdress from Dinner At Eight #946 (1963-1964)

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

Barbie Press & Peel Clothes patterns Mattel

by Sherri Zube
(Richmond MI)

Have you heard of a Barbie clothes set from 1964 that is a press and peel. A friend of mine has a few of these sets unopened but I can't seem to find any info on them. She said they are made by Mattel for Barbie. I guess you make the clothes yourself by peeling of something and putting the clothes together by some form of pressing them together. I don't have a picture but if need be I will get one.
Thank You,
Sherri Zube

Hi Sherri -
I don't have them on the site yet, but I think you are referring to the Sew Free Fashions from 1966. There were 12 different fashions that were held together with glue strips. You can see them here - Barbie Sew Free Fashion

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

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.

Can you identify this vintage Barbie wool shell?

by Jeri Wingfield
(Shelby Township, MI USA)

Ecru wool shell vintage barbie

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