Nina In New York: Looks Like Barbie Is The Only One Taking Her New Year Resolutions Seriously
A lighthearted look at news, events, culture and everyday life in New York. The opinions expressed are solely those of the writer.
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By Nina Pajak
Oh, hey there, Barbie. It's been so long, I hardly recognized you! You look great, as always. But . . . ah . . . did you put on a few pounds? I don't mean that in a rude way, it looks good on you. Or perhaps you changed your hair? Or maybe you even lost weight? Breast reduction? Did you get taller? I mean, shorter? Wait, did your skin used to be a different color? New contacts? Gosh, you've got to tell me your secret. It's almost like you've somehow simultaneously transformed into the permutations of three different body types and dozens of new eye, skin, and hair colors.
Perhaps inspired by the pressure recently placed on the product for still promoting a long-outdated and always unattainable standard of beauty, or perhaps just to give the brand an earnings boost, Barbie has gotten a makeover. In addition to the classic, large-breasted, wasp-waisted astronauts and teachers and surfers, Mattel will now offer our old, fave gal in curvy, petite and tall, as well as in various combinations of seven skin tones and 22 eye colors. That's not to mention the funky new 'dos she's rocking. It's a whole new girl, a whole new world.
In scanning the exciting offerings, I couldn't help but notice that the vast majority of new models still looked like they were in sore need of a cheeseburger. Sure, petite and tall girls need love too, but there are curvy girls of all heights. And did they have to dress the curvy one in such unflattering clothing? Nobody with wide hips and a short waist should wear a crop top and flare capris. If only Stacy London and Clinton Kelly had been consulted from the beginning, Barb wouldn't be walking around like a future episode of "What (Dolls Ought) Not To Wear."
It's all fine, I'm nitpicking. I've been a big supporter of the "real girl" Lammily doll, and I'm glad that Barbie is joining the movement. Boys don't have to think about their toys' body types, other than the fact that sometimes they have knives for hands or cartoonish muscles on top of muscles. Why should female play be so focused on looks? And come to think of it, do all these new dolls do anything to take the focus off bodies in general? In some ways, they only draw more attention by being something new and different and worthy of mention. Why can't play just be play, without all this laser focus on bad or good or real and unreal figures?
That's not to say that once they're interested in that sort of thing, girls shouldn't have the option of a diverse array of dolls who look like them. Clearly, Barbie has been a part of the national zeitgeist for nearly six decades because there's something about her we just can't resist. So addressing the need for more toys of her kind is both terrific and welcome. But let's not forget about the vast selection of wonderful, soft-bodied dolls who are all shaped like potatoes with limbs. Kids have never stopped loving these types of toys, and their play has nothing to do with bra size. Don't believe me? Try walking into the American Girl Doll store on Fifth Avenue sometime. You'll just need all-weather goggles, an oxygen tank, $500 in cash, cigarettes (for bartering), energy bars, and a mouthguard. But check it out and tell me it's still all about being a veterinarian in tiny, high heels.
Nina Pajak is a writer living with her husband, daughter and dog in Queens. Connect with Nina on Twitter!
