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Think pink! Though Greta Gerwig’s live-action Barbie film hits theaters today, fuchsia styles inspired by the fashion-forward Mattel doll were already surging in the summer of 2022. It comes as no surprise that playful looks in the hot pink hue were an instant pick-me-up during times of pandemic and recession. (No doubt we can also thank the Barbie industrial marketing machine for that.)
London-based fast fashion brand Boohoo (which will restock its own sold-out Barbie collab on July 24) crunched the numbers and found that online searches for “Barbie-inspired outfit” has increased by 615 percent worldwide, with the hashtag #barbieoutfits on TikTok surpassing more than 56.5 million views.
Starring Margot Robbie as Barbie and Ryan Gosling as Ken, the film also features Kate McKinnon, Issa Rae, Simu Liu, Dua Lipa, Ritu Arya, Michael Cera and Emerald Fennel as Mattel dolls in the flesh and America Ferrera, Helen Mirren, Will Ferrell and others as humans. During the Barbie press tour in Los Angeles, Sydney, Seoul, Mexico City and London, the director and her stars sported their best beyond-Barbie Land looks on the pink carpet. On set, Robbie enacted a weekly “pink day” where she would collect fines (which were donated to charity) from those who failed to follow the assignment.
The uplifting color was showcased on fashion runways, as seen in Valentino creative director Pierpaolo Piccioli’s Fall/Winter 2022 Pink PP collection that was worn by Anne Hathaway, Zendaya, Lizzo, Lana Condor, Drew Barrymore, Glenn Close, Tommy Dorfman and other stars. Balmain’s official Barbie collection channeled the toy icon’s spirit in doll box-esque handbags, tweed co-ord pieces, bold-shouldered monogram dresses and more. In the sports world, Lionel Messi’s new team, Inter Miami, adopted pink as their official color in 2022 after fans (and David Beckham) clamored for the fashionable flamingo hue.
Mattel has been keeping busy with no shortage of collaborations leading up to the film, as seen in collections with Aldo (which is nearly sold out), Bloomingdale’s, Béis, Gap, Forever 21, PJ Salvage, Barefoot Dreams, Emu Australia, Funboy, Joybird and Ruggable, and many, many others, with even more expected to roll out through summer. Even retailers including Saks, Zappos has rolled out a “secret” Barbie-inspired curation of shoes, handbags, jewelry and accessories.
The trick is to flip any doll stereotypes on their head and turn Barbie style into a power play. Ease into the trend by swapping a wardrobe essential (a dress, trousers, handbag, sunglasses, sandals) in the eye-popping hue and style with neutral staples. Or go all in: flaunt a glam fuchsia dress for a Malibu pool party or matchy-match all your accessories in haute pink. Because in Barbie’s world, more is infinitely more.
Fossil x Barbie Limited Edition Gold-Tone Stainless Steel Bracelet
Part of Fossil’s official Barbie accessories collection ($50-$150) that includes leather goods, watches and jewelry, this gold-tone charm bracelet lets your wrists sparkle with the iconic doll’s favorite things.
Fossil
Fossil x Barbie Limited Edition Bracelet
Sleeper Party Pajamas with Detachable Feathers
Pieces with flirty feathers are part of the Barbie aesthetic, as proven by President Barbie (Issa Rae), who wore Sleeper’s Party Pajamas in the film. Get tickled pink in this bedroom-and-beyond set with mother-of-pearl buttons and detachable trim.
Sleeper Party Pajamas with Detachable Feathers
Emi Jay Silk Scrunchie
Hot pink scrunchies — like this oversized one by Emi Jay — are another must-have accessory to hold that head-turning mane in place during Barbie-and Ken-level adventures.
Revolve
Emi Jay Silk Scrunchie
Unique Vintage x Barbie Pink Satin Bomber Jacket
From Unique Vintage’s retro Barbie collaboration (which also includes chevron swimsuits, curve-hugging cocktail dresses and more), this satin pink bomber jacket will keep you warm on those chilly summer evenings.
Unique Vintage
Unique Vintage x Barbie Pink Satin Bomber Jacket
Jonathan Simkhai Noemi Dress
Jonathan Simkhai’s embroidered sequin Noemi dress — from his Pre-Fall 2023 ready-to-wear collection — is unapologetically sparkly in this eye-popping bougainvillea hue.
Jonathan Simkhai Noemi Dress
Circus NY Avery Heels
Teetering platform sandals with exaggerated proportions are a Barbie go-to, and these sculptural Avery heels by Circus NY are a fun plus-one for summer soirées.
Zappos
Circus NY Avery Heels
DL Eyewear Atlas Pink Shimmer Sunglasses
Dan Levy’s cool eyewear label DL offers a range of statement frames, like these Atlas sunglasses in shimmering pink acetate (they’ll pair well with your hot pink convertible).
DL Eyewear
DL Eyewear Pink Atlas Sunglasses
Reformation Enya Wedge Sandals
Prefer to keep your heels closer to the ground? Reformation’s Enya wedge sandals in a fun pink Corvette hue are just the right height.
Reformation Enya Wedge Sandals
Prota Fiori Plumeria 75mm Sustainable Silk Crystal-Embellished Mules
For a more subdued mule moment, opt for Prota Fiori’s Plumeria sandals in sustainable silk and finished with light pink crystals.
Prota Fiori Plumeria 75mm Sustainable Silk Crystal-Embellished Mules
Gap x Barbie Kids Hoodie
Our favorite doll also has a sporty-chic side. Kids can play into the casual-cool style with this Gap x Barbie hoodie.
Gap
Gap x Barbie Kids Hoodie
Allbirds Women’s Tree Flyers
For the flat-footed Barbie fans, Allbirds’ Tree Runners in Lux Pink offer a comfier way to get through the day. (Lindsay Lohan starred in Allbirds’ campaign for the exclusive pink colorway of the brand’s best-selling Tree Flyer shoes, which have since sold out.)
Allbirds
Allbirds Women’s Tree Flyers (reg. $105)
Barbie the Movie x Aqua Checked Bustier Mini Dress
Among Barbie’s signature looks is the pink bodycon dress, and this striped bustier mini dress from the film’s official collaboration with Bloomingdale’s-owned brand Aqua will make you feel like you just stepped out of Barbie Land.
Bloomingdale’s
Barbie the Movie x Aqua Checked Bustier Mini Dress
Impala x Barbie Lightspeed Inline Skates
Robbie and Gosling (as Barbie and Ken) sport Impala’s flue yellow inline skates while cruising through Venice Beach. The eye-popping pair is mostly sold out, but we’ve tracked down a handful of sizes at active lifestyle retailer TiIlys. (Alternatively, Impala’s pink roller skates also tap into Barbie’s playful roll-with-it vibe.)
Impala
Impala x Barbie Lightspeed Inline Skates
Jacquemus Le Grand Chiquito Leather Top-Handle Bag
Got too much baggage for an itty-bitty carryall? Opt for Jacquemus’ Le Grand Chiquito top-handle bag, which comes in an array of sizes carried over the years by Rihanna, the Kardashian clan, Dua Lipa, Priyanka Chopra and Selena Gomez.
Neiman Marcus
Jacquemus Le Grand Chiquito Leather Top-Handle Bag
PJ Salvage x Barbie Reloved Boy-Short Set
PJ Salvage’s collaboration with Barbie includes this relaxed tank and boy shorts set spun from eco-conscious Repreve jersey (a blend of recycled polyester, rayon and elastane).
Swarovski Florere Cocktail Ring
Finger bling gets a Barbiecore upgrade in Swarovski’s Florere cocktail ring set in gold-tone plating. Stack it with other statement accessories for a maximalist look or keep it minimalist.
Swarovski
Swarovski Florere Cocktail Ring
Saint Laurent LouLou Sunglasses
Iconic rose-colored, heart-shaped sunglasses by Yves Saint Laurent are always a bright style move to channel Barbie.
Saks Fifth Avenue
Saint Laurent LouLou Sunglasses
This story was originally published on Oct. 27, 2022.
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