by Dr. Lori Verderame
by Dr. Lori Verderame
Everybody knows about Barbie dolls and their strong interest from dedicated collectors worldwide. But what about Barbie’s cool and varied accessories like the longstanding Barbie dream houses and Barbie airplanes? Accessories like Barbie’s fashion clothing complete with designer Barbie labels, and Barbie vinyl wardrobe carrying cases are perfect for a play date with a friend. Do these items spark Barbie collectors’ interests and attract new collectors to Barbie? You bet they do. Let’s talk about the history of these items. And, the all important value of vintage Barbie accessories.
Humble Barbie Beginnings
Recently, I appraised a Bild Lilli doll from Germany, the teenage fashion doll that inspired American Barbie dolls. These dolls which were the impetus that sparked the Barbie doll craze in the late 1950s, early 1960s. Bild Lilli dolls wore makeup, has fashion clothes, and are widely collectible. Recently a German Bild Lilli doll sold at auction for $5,000 creating quite a buzz for Barbie enthusiasts. My client purchased her Bild Lilli doll online for a mere $15 from an online auction. The seller didn’t know what he had. Recognizing quality in any art, antiques, or collectibles is the name of the game. In today’s market, as a similar doll sold for a ton of cash and the 2023 Barbie movie made a splash, the Bild Lilli doll certainly commands collectors’ attention.
Barbie Clothes, Shoes, etc.
Many people realize that Barbie clothes and accessories are some of the most popular items in Barbie collecting. Barbie collectors preserve everything from Barbie black/white striped bathing suits and white framed cat eye sunglasses to evening gowns and tiaras. The vintage carrying cases for Barbie’s wardrobe are often found in thrift stores, flea markets, yard sales, antique malls, estate sales, and auctions. Sweaters, pants, parkas, hats, boots, purses, shoes, blouses, sundresses, work uniforms, athletic wear, etc. are the items that you will find in Barbie’s closet. Barbie has a hip wardrobe, and her accessories are at the forefront of doll clothing design.
Fashionable Friends and Relatives
Barbie’s relatives and friends were also clothes horses. Barbie’s cousin from England, Francie Fairchild introduced American children how Europeans dressed. Introduced in 1966 and in production until 1976, Francie was highlighted in Mattel’s marketing. She was not only as Barbie’s modern-clothed cousin but she was often seen wearing the bright colors and geometric patterns of famous Carnaby Street in the early 1970s. In fact, some say it was Francie who led the way. She was younger than Barbie but was cooler when it came to dressing up.
Francie was the true international clothes hound. She was introduced with her own line of clothes. The same way that Barbie’s clothes had the Barbie label sewn into them, Francie’s modern clothing of the mid 1960s and 1970s had an identifying label. Today, collectors look for Francie’s clothes and the many versions of the Francie doll for their own collection or to resell for profit.
Portable Play
Barbie’s clothes had to be stored somewhere so portable vinyl wardrobe carrying cases were a great solution. Made of the same vinyl over cardboard materials as lunchboxes of the period, Barbie doll owners would collect and play with Barbie clothes, pink hangers, shoes, boots, and accessories and store them in Barbie carrying cases featuring members of the Barbie clan such as Skipper, Midge, Ken, etc. There was even a Barbie trousseau carrying case with a bride and groom on the cover to encourage girls to plan their wedding day wardrobe. Barbie wardrobe carrying cases with original hardware in good condition range in value from $50-$350 depending on many factors.
Barbie Dreamhouses
While collectors of hot wheels toys loved the small scale toy cars reminiscent of the 1960s muscle cars driven by NASA astronauts and Hollywood celebrities, Barbie’s followers had much more to play with than Barbie’s clothes and her cool sports cars. Barbie had an enviable portfolio. Vintage Barbie accessories included clothes, fashion accessories, real estate, campers, lake cabins, cars, and even airplanes. Barbie’s fold and fun duplexes allowed girls to open and close up a small Barbie house in a neat box with decorated interior rooms, accessory furniture, fences, and a convenient plastic handle to carry it from friend’s house to friend’s house. Today these Barbie architectural collectibles resell on the market between $85 and $250 depending on condition, accessories included and market.
Barbie’s houses were many. Some were three room suburban homes with kitchens, bedrooms, and dens. Kitchens featured stoves, sinks below windows, cabinets and countertops. Bedrooms were filled with mid century modern bedroom sets, Bertoia chairs, and desks for studying. Barbie’s den had a portable console TV set, mod planters hosting thriving house plants, and windows covered with period curtains or shades. There was quite a California sensibility to Barbie’s homes and getaways. Some of Barbie’s dream homes had skylights and patios or balconies and roof gardens, etc. This was also true in the furniture selections for Barbie’s homes. Furniture in Barbie’s houses, emphasis on the plural, emphasized popular west coast designs like Hollywood Regency and mid century modern styles.
Architectural Accessories
Pools were all the rage and if you were poolside with Barbie, you were probably atop an above ground pool deck in a plastic formed chaise lounge in pink or purple. The many Barbie dream houses and furnishings on today’s collectors market command values into the several hundreds. As well, I predict that the Barbie architecture will increase in value for some select houses based on the active interest in Barbie accessories on the collectibles market. Barbie moved into the 1970s with some of the popular buildings of the period like A-frame houses and two story options.
Barbie Furniture
When it came to interior decorating, Barbie was not without options and it shows in the vintage Barbie accessories. Barbie’s houses were decorated with wall coverings and images of objects on the vinyl walls. Her homes had home decor objects like picnic tables, patio umbrellas, daybeds, sofas, lounge chairs, etc. In fact, Barbie’s furniture, which ranges from $25 to $250 for one special and rare piece, was made of various materials. Additionally, some furniture was printed, foldable cardstock paper or cardboard, brightly colored vinyl that kids could blow up, or molded plastic pieces. Some pieces reflected the era’s Lucite chairs and other furniture made of space age materials in the 1960s-70s.
Barbie furniture that was a true reflection of the times. Barbie was one of us –a suburban American teen—and her surroundings reflected her social and class status. One of the reasons why Barbie was so appealing was that all that she had was attainable. Barbie furniture was new and hip but it also reflected how Americans really lived. For instance, it was common for most mid century modern homeowners to have new furniture in the living room and dining room. Most of these new suburban dwellings featured new, trendy furniture. Older pieces or hand me downs were relegated to the bedrooms or basements/playrooms.
Barbie Houses
For instance, in the 1962 cardboard Barbie house, there is a credenza and coffee table that feature a faux wood grain simulating veneer (made of printed paper over cardboard) and a complimentary tufted upholstery chair and plaid sofa. The sofa is very low to the ground and it reminds me of a glorified futon in plaid. As accents, there is a tufted occasional chair and ottoman. Names like Knoll, Herman Miller and Heywood Wakefield come to mind. Even the Herman Miller office chair was made to Barbie scale. All of this Barbie furniture is typical of what you would see in a suburban American home of the 1960s. Mattel made sure that Barbie’s house and its furnishings looked like the interiors of our houses.
Barbie decorated the living room with cool mid century modern furniture in a streamlined, minimalist style was on display in the living room but grandma’s old hand me down French cottage furniture was in the bedroom complete with scrollwork headboard, vanity table, and matching stool with curved wooden seat. Barbie’s house was portable for anywhere play but her house looked like a typical American house of the times. Furnished Barbie houses are valued from $100-$500 retail on today’s market in good condition and they are a feat for the eyes from floor to ceiling.
Barbie Outdoor Furniture
Pool decks, patios, breezeways, and other outdoor spaces used by Barbie highlighted various objects. Objects like chaise lounge chairs, planters, fences and light posts were part of the Barbie universe. The architecture of Barbie from the 1960s to the 1990s is decidedly Californian. It had large expansive windows, skylights, second floor porches, and balconies. I can’t see a little girl playing with her Barbie in Eau Claire, Wisconsin thinking that a playroom with a screen door would be comfortable as a February snowstorm dumps a foot of snow on the region.
That being said, the allure and glamour of California in general, and Hollywood specifically, is also part of Barbie’s appeal. The exoticism that Barbie dolls evoke attracted and continue to attract many collectors to the toys. For example, in the 1970s, Barbie’s furniture could be used indoor or outdoor like a balloon back wicker chair and blow up vinyl bean bag chairs. Typical avocado and coppertone colored appliances, Age of Aquarius patterned wallpaper, and live plants all make an appearance in the A-frame plastic Barbie houses of the 1970s. There is nothing run of the mill about Barbie and she kept evolving with the times.
My favorite home décor accessory of the 1970s is one that many baby boomers may recall. The furry bathroom scale. While Barbie didn’t have to lose an ounce, the Barbie bathroom scale had her weight at 110 lbs. constantly. The red or pink fuzzy scale carpeting kept Barbie’s feet warm during the morning weigh in. This 1970s scale in Barbie’s bathroom was introduced just in time for Barbie to join the rest of the country of weight conscious Americans. Additionally, Barbie was on board when the Scarsdale Medical Diet debuted in 1979.
What to Look For
When it comes to Barbie clothing, accessories, dreamhouses, and furniture, look for one thing overall, good condition. Condition must be very good to command high values from collectors. Why? Because vinyl, cardboard, and colorful materials can deteriorate in the hands of excited children who want to play for fun. When it comes to value for vintage Barbie accessories, look for matching clothing outfits. Don’t turn your back on shoes, sunglasses, or handbags that are just Barbie’s size.
Also, collectors look for unusual vintage Barbie accessories like the Barbie Country pop-up Camper, Friendship or United airplanes complete with Barbie’s stewardess drink cart. Pools, umbrellas, and patio furniture give Barbie lovers the complete outdoor experience. In addition, there are picnic tables, chaise lounge chairs, and more. And, for the consummate Barbie collector, don’t forget that Barbie dolls are desirable.
Watch videos on my YouTube channel where I reveal more about vintage Barbie accessories values. I can appraise your Barbie accessories and dolls from photos or you can show me your pieces during a video call.
