This story is from Stuff, and part of Ensemble's doll week

Since we got our first sneak peek of Margot Robbie as Barbie in Greta Gerwig’s upcoming Barbie movie, we’ve been dreaming about how good the outfits are going to be.

Then Margot and Ryan Gosling (who plays Ken) were seen on-set rollerblading along Venice Beach in fluro spandex outfits – similar to the neon print from the Totally Hair Barbie released in 1992 – and we got a little hot under the collar at the thought that our hyper-colour fashion dreams were coming true.

The costumes for the film are the works of Oscar-winning costume designer Jacqueline Durran, who was the creative mind behind the pitch perfect costuming worn by Kristen Stewart when she depicted Princess Diana in Spencer. She also created the costumes for The Batman, the recent Beauty and the Best adaptation, and Gerwig’s version of Little Women.

Ahead of the plastic fantastic world finally coming to life on cinema screens on July 20, we present our dream list of vintage Barbie (and Ken) outfits for inclusion in this new incarnation.

The Original

The first ever Barbie doll was released at a New York toy fair in 1959. This Barbie had blonde hair tied back in a ponytail, and wore a vintage cut bathing suit in black and white stripes. The iconic retro look was referenced in the film's first trailer, and Robbie herself wore a replica look at a press appearance in Sydney.

Plush Pony Barbie

Leopard and snake print get the most attention in the fashion realm, but with this double pony print ensemble, Barbie made a case for the lesser used animal prints a full 50 years before RuPaul’s Drag Race gave us Monique Heart’s “Brown Cow, stunning” outfit.

Calvin Klein Barbie

The Calvin Klein Barbie, released in 1996 at the peak of Kate Moss and Mark Wahlberg era CK hysteria, is incredible for a few reasons. The logo heavy outfit, of course (not pictured here is the CK branded hat and backpack that were also included) but also because: Barbie appearing to rock a mullet!?

Mermaid Barbie

Not just movie magic! Every ‘90s child remembers this mermaid Barbie who had blonde hair that miraculously transformed into iridescent rainbow shimmers right in front of your eyes when plunged into icy cold water, then back to blonde in warm water.

Barbie and the Rockers

Released in 1986, this Barbie, and the accompanying television special Barbie and the Rockers: Out of This World, were clearly attempted to piggyback off the success of Jem and the Holograms which first aired in 1985. It rocks, regardless.

Day to Night Barbie

This career Barbie came with a wardrobe hack that inspired a million beauty and fashion articles on taking your look from ‘desk to date’: her pink power suit which transformed into a pin sequin top and tulle skirt. Another look already referenced by Robbie on the press tour!

Maxi 'N Mini Fashion Barbie

Who knew they made a Barbie doll inspired by Nicole Kidman’s character in The Undoing? Top-to-toe terrific.

Astronaut Barbie

There have been many iterations of Astronaut Barbie over the years: the first was released in 1965 before humans stepped foot on the moon, but this 1986 version is wonderfully space age. It also has a similar lustrey vibe to Britney Spear’s outfit in the Oops!... I Did It Again music video.

Cool Blue Barbie

With the late 1990s and Y2K fashion revivals going strong, it would be a mistake not to capitalise on a classic look from that era. Blue cord overalls, with coordinating beanie and hair strands, straight out of HBK catalogue.

Earring Magic Ken

Depending on who you believe, Mattel either knew exactly what they were doing or had absolutely no idea when they released a new-look Ken doll in 1993 that very quickly became known as ‘Gay Ken’.

Officially called Earring Magic Ken, the revamped himbo sported peroxide blonde highlights, wore a matching lilac fishnet top and leather vest, had a pierced ear and a large chrome ring pendant hanging around his neck. Almost immediately people began speculating that this was a queer-coded Ken, specifically drawing comparisons between the ring accessory and a pleasure aid.

The doll became the best-selling version of Ken, but regardless Mattel discontinued this club culture Ken the same year it was released. Shortly before it was cancelled, Dan Savage published an article titled Ken Comes Out in which Mattel’s then manager of marketing and communications was quoted as saying “We’re not in the business of putting c..k rings into the hands of little girls.”

This story was published during the WGA and SAG-AFTRA strikes of 2023. Barbie and other films would not exist without the labour of writers and actors.