Comments for Idiosyncratic Style

Comment on You Say: The Trial of Barbie by Eve Maria

Eve Maria — Tue, 16 Aug 2011 10:54:10 +0000

Interesting post, I like the way you framed it. My younger sister and I played with our 50 Barbies and Kens intensely. I never ever compared Barbie to myself, my friends, grown-ups or my mum, she was always just a doll. I love dolls like Barbie because they encourage creative play. There wasn’t another toy that enabled us to be as creative as Barbie. With Barbie, we played with her clothes and cars but we used them to explore the natural environment (Barbie went ‘to the beach’ in our sandpit, for example).
The only thing that made me self-conscious growing up was female bullies.

Comment on You Say: The Trial of Barbie by Jenarcissist @ the closet narcissist

Jenarcissist @ the closet narcissist — Sat, 13 Aug 2011 16:52:04 +0000

I have to wholeheartedly agree with you. I openly admit it, I played Barbies til I was in the 7th grade, long after most of my friends gave them up. I had several dolls and clothes and accessories, but we couldn’t afford the Dream House and all the fancier stuff (though I did get a Barbie Ferrari for Christmas one year)…so what did I do…I made my Barbie house out of bookshelves. Starting from a bare slate, I had total control over what each room of her home looked like. I sewed clothes, comforters, and throw pillows for her; I drew tiny art prints to hang on her walls. My mom was finding little tape roll-ups on the walls of that room for years afterward from where I had hung things up for Barbie. To this day, decorating is one of the things in my life that brings me lots of joy. As is writing/making up stories; each doll might have a completely different life on any given day, and making up those stories fostered so much creativity in me. I was also entranced by their hair, makeup, and clothes, and still am that way as an adult.

Honest to God, I can clearly remember feeling bad about myself as a middle schooler if I looked at models in magazines, but never once did I even consider comparing my appearance to Barbie’s.

Comment on You Say: The Trial of Barbie by poet

poet — Fri, 12 Aug 2011 15:15:14 +0000

Great post, and I wholeheartedly agree. I was always well aware that Barbie was unrealistically proportioned and that the way one was “supposed to” play with her was incredibly consumerist / air-headed / unrealistic. Instead of doing that, me and my sister made parts of our doll house, a ballet studio in a box and several stores, stables, etc. ourselves – and I started sewing with clothes for Barbie dolls!

Comment on You Say: The Trial of Barbie by Shybiker

Shybiker — Fri, 12 Aug 2011 14:02:54 +0000

Great post. Barbie has always been controversial — but among mothers of daughters, not daughters themselves. I don’t believe we understand child psychology well enough to gauge whether a child’s play with a Barbie doll is healthy or harmful; until we do, I support the child’s decision whether to pick one up.

Comment on You Say: The Trial of Barbie by A Slight Nod to Style

A Slight Nod to Style — Thu, 11 Aug 2011 20:50:48 +0000

did you make those gowns for the barbie, or were they purchased? they look great.
while, i’m typically anti-barbie for the most part. i appreciate your point of view and am definitely taking it into consideration for if i have a daughter one day.

Comment on You Say: The Trial of Barbie by Meredith Corning

Meredith Corning — Thu, 11 Aug 2011 19:04:14 +0000

I couldn’t agree more. I always loved playing with Barbie as a child and you are right…she could do it all! Blaming Barbie for our body issues as women is the same thing as blaming cookie monster for childhood obesity (which has been done). Anything that allows a child to explore, create and engage their imagination can’t be all that bad. For those of us who are self-proclaimed “fashionistas” probably were able to explore a side of ourselves we may not have otherwise had the opportunity to explore. Great post! I am posting this to The Compassion Fashion Project’s Facebook page:-) xoxo~Meredith

Comment on You Say: The Trial of Barbie by Frances Joy

Frances Joy — Thu, 11 Aug 2011 17:29:24 +0000

I love this post! I loved my Barbies as a child, and I’m pretty sure that’s where I discovered how to “write” a story. I also think it was my introduction to creative dressing. Besides, my Barbies had so many different jobs – it was me exploring my options for the future. Loved your analysis of this topic.

Comment on Fashion Dare: You, Just Brighter! by ninibikini

ninibikini — Mon, 27 Jun 2011 01:01:30 +0000

love!

Comment on Fashion Dare: You, Just Brighter! by CarolAnn Edie

CarolAnn Edie — Tue, 21 Jun 2011 16:25:33 +0000

I’m loving this trend. The runway-style all-brights look is a little less wearable, but pairing a bright with a neutral like white, brown or navy is where it’s at!!

Love,
CarolAnn

PS. I’ve got a confidence-report contest up on my blog!! Check it out…
http://charismau.com/lets-celebrate/

Comment on Recycled Style Project: A New Friendship Bracelet by meghan @ out of order

meghan @ out of order — Fri, 17 Jun 2011 21:05:34 +0000

I’m literally making one out of thread and washers right now!
Love the inspiration, I need to try the bangle-wrapping technique

<3Meghan