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How to Identify Vintage Barbie Clothing

Since Barbie's 1959 debut, the doll has become a fashion icon. Although her fashionable looks evolve with trends, you might prefer Barbie's vintage wardrobe over her modern clothing. Whether you are a collector or simply a fan, you should keep in mind a few guidelines to help you identify vintage clothing from Barbie's many eras. Vintage Barbie clothing is both rare and expensive, so you'll want to have a thorough understanding of what to look for.

Instructions

- 1
  Get to know Barbie's history so that you can have a better idea of what clothing the doll might have worn at different points in time. The 1959 debut Barbie was packaged and sold wearing a simple one-piece swimsuit, whereas in the 1970s Barbie was available in an array of outfits, such as bell-bottomed pants or metallic jumpsuits.
- 2
  Browse a local library for old toy catalogs or buyers' guides. This helps you locate images of vintage Barbie clothing and identify a time frame within which it was released.
- 3
  Check the fit of vintage Barbie clothing on a current model of the doll. Vintage clothing is likely to fit loosely, since modern Barbie dolls have a slimmer, more elongated body than those of the past. While the clothing's retro styling might give a clear indication of its age, this fit check might further help you determine whether it is actually vintage.
- 4
  Look for a "Made in Japan" label on the clothing. Early Barbie threads carry this marker.
- 5
  Find out if the vintage clothing was ever tagged with a cloth fashion label. If it was, it was released prior to 1972. This information should help you narrow down a possible year of production.

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