Hello friends! I have a very happy post today that I hope will bring a smile to your face. In celebration of the upcoming movie I thought it would be fun to try Dressing Like Barbie Malibu Edition.
Barbara Millicent Roberts
Over on my fashion Instagram I have been sharing memories of Barbie all week.
I think most of us are very aware of who Barbie is. But in the event there is someone who is not, Barbara Millicent “Barbie” Roberts is a fashion doll manufactured by the toy company Mattel, Inc. The original Barbie was launched into the toy aisle on March 9, 1959. She was an instant success.
Barbie was available as both a Blonde and a Brunette. No surprise I am drawn to the later.
Her original outfits were just fabulous. This salesman sample case makes my heart beat faster.
Evening Spendor… sigh.
Gay Parisienne is a dream.
For tomorrow’s Barbie look keep Suburban Shopper in mind.
My First Barbie
Now I am not quite as old as Barbie. I received my very first Barbie as a Christmas gift when I was three years old. I LOVED Quick Curl Kelley.
Aww my Grandma Mary’s quilted 70s skirt….I still have her Christmas tree brooch.
My sweet mom Karen was recovering from one of her surgeries to treat a brain tumor. But still so pretty in pink!
A few months later Malibu Barbie showed up in the front seat of her groovy camper van.
I loved that thing so much I literally rode the wheels off of it.
The Inspiration
For me one of the best things about having a daughter was sharing my love of Barbie with the Fashionista. She loved her as much as I did. So when I first proposed we dress in pool wear, inspired by Barbie, she was all in, She claimed Malibu Barbie as her muse.
Which left me no choice but to be her camper van. (Are you laughing yet? Just wait…)
The interior had plenty of pink.
Dressing Like Barbie Malibu Edition
For her Malibu Barbie inspired fashion the Fashionista chose this groovy caftan pattern, Simplicity 5628. It has been recently been rereleased.
I let my Instagram followers choose from assorted vintage trims found at various estate sales.
The pool hued psychedelic fabric came from Joann’s.
The pattern is perfect for a beginner!
It went together in about one hour.
She’s so much cooler than me.
I Am A Camper Van
For my caftan I used a vintage pattern, Simplicity 7572, view 3. The two beach towels came from Wal Mart because I am FANCY!
Shop The Post
I found everything in store but you can also purchase these items online. I do receive a teensy weensy commission which helps me make more of what you love.
This is another great pattern for a beginner.
I made it a bit tougher on myself in making sure that when the armholes match up perfectly the pattern design does as well.
It was a bit off here because of the wind and me trying not to fall into the pool while doing this Barbie inspired pose. LOL
The three armhole design is INGENIUS! You can see it in action on my Instagram as well as tomorrow’s YouTube video. So stay tuned!
Because someone will ask. 🙂 My pink glitter flip flops came from the children’s shoe section of Wal Mart (Yes, I have tiny feet.) But you could easily add glue and glitter to the sides of a plain pair to make them fabulous!
Barbie’s Sun Romper
Since I wanted to show the three armed caftan in action I needed to have something on underneath. Hang on to your hip huggers friends, it’s Simplicity 8795.
This is a good pattern for an intermediate sewist.
As this is the Barbie Golden Girl edition I turned the apron around for more tummy coverage.
Plus I love how the rick rack trim looks curving up the back.
This was a historically accurate option as well. If you would like a pattern that features this style try Simplicity 8199. Those scallops: heart eyes!
I also made a big front bow because Barbie loves MORE!
Barbie and Friends
Here we are in our Malibu Barbie and 1970s inspired camper van caftans.
I obviously was having a lot of fun.
The Fashionista has an amazing collection of vintage sunglasses.
I hope you had as much fun as we did.
Thank You
If you somehow made it to the end of this post you are amazing!
A huge THANK YOU to both of my children for making this crazy photo shoot happen. Sweet Guy was the Ken of my heart behind the camera.
Our dear friends (and my son’s future in-laws) graciously allowed these shenanigans to take place at their pool.
As always, I love a good outtake.
We’ll be back tomorrow with two more movie inspired looks!
Laura
How cute and how fun! Absolutely loving this! Love the camper vibes! I had that Barbie camper, got it one Christmas when I was growing up. It was my all time favorite. I still remember that vinyl smell.
Thank you for such a lovely post and the walk down memory lane.
ha ha ha, this was cute. You make a great Barbie, Laura!
Cute! My sister (b. 1953) has the original Barbie brunette in the b&w bathing suit. Fashionista’s pool loungewear reminds me of the caftans everybody made from towels in the ’70s (maxi). My first Barbie was a blond bouffant. I loved Midge (freckles, like me), and Skipper (flat, like me, lol).
I also have the camper and Malibu barbie. Was crazy for them. My mom also found me an original dream house ROM the early 60’s. So much fun and great design. It came with now vintage clothes and some hand knit clothes. Mom added some cool 70’s outfits that she made. I was looking through them with my little neighbor and she couldn’t believe how cool they were. Kids don’t get quality toys anymore.
I thought it REALLY was barbie and Midge!!! Loved it!!!
You two are so cute! I remember getting my Barbie for Christmas in 1959 when I was 8 years old. I distinctly remember her striped swimsuit. My dad always took home movies of all the toys that Santa brought us. Backthen, you were lucky to have one. My granddaughter must have about 20 now!
Love your outfits! I still have my Barbie from 1962 or 1963. Plus Midge and Ken. My mother made a suitcase of clothes for them as a gift for me one Christmas. From wedding gowns to a Jackie Kennedy wool suit with a pill box hat! I remember listening to my Beatle albums and playing with my Barbies for hours. I cherish everything and once in a while I’ll take them out and change their outfits. I’ve also saved all my daughter’s Barbies from the 1980’s. She didn’t love them as much as I loved mine, but has a great time seeing them once in a while. Your post brought up so many fond memories. Thank you!
Laura, if I lived near you, I would tallk you into going to the public pool or beach with me and act completely befuddled as to why people were looking at us. Beach blond wig, lipstick and,, of course, stuffing rolled up socks in the upper regions. That i my idea of fun.
I love, love, love this post so much. Somewhere in a box is a picture of me in a towel fabric poncho, with Pom Pom trim, made by my mother. This brought me right back to that.
The three armhole design is genius, as are you!
Ann
I still have my striped swimsuit blond Barbie — she goes on the Christmas tree every year. But I never got into the houses and such. It was always more fun to build my own.