Follow the lead of the world’s most beloved doll and paint your wardrobe neon pink, just in time for the Barbie film premiere
Unless you’ve been living under a rock this past year, you’ll have noticed that the world has gone a bit Barbie-mad.
Greta Gerwig’s ode to Mattel’s iconic, multitalented doll hits cinemas today, but fashionistas and influencers have been splashing their wardrobes with hot pink since they glimpsed the first teaser trailers back in December 2022.
View this post on Instagram
The movie has fuelled all kinds of extra-bright, ultra-fuchsia ensembles, ranging from latex mini dresses paired with jelly block heels to cowboy hats and sparkly tops — or what has come to be known as Barbiecore. TikTok users are flooding the social platform with their Barbie-inspired outfits, with #barbieoutfits boasting more than 247 million views.
Part of the film’s major appeal and impact is down to leading actor Margot Robbie, who has been sporting one candy-coloured outfit after the other. Think stripes and polka dots, fluorescent skirts, pearls and lots and lots of pink — making Robbie the perfect embodiment of Barbie on and off the screen.
Read more: Fashion meets… mermaidcore: how to nail The Little Mermaid style
View this post on Instagram
Is Barbiecore new?
Still, this Barbie-influenced frenzy goes further back. The doll itself has provided fashion inspiration to celebrities, musicians and fashion designers for decades. Back in 1997, Danish-Norwegian band Aqua released their now-classic hit Barbie Girl, with a very neon music video to match.
And in the early aughts, Paris Hilton and Britney Spears would hit the red carpet in flashy pink outfits, while films like Clueless and Legally Blonde cemented pink as the key colour of the decade. Rapper Nicki Minaj has also been channelling the doll since 2010 through her ‘Harajuku Barbie’ persona, which sees her wearing a pink wig and bright pink outfits.
In recent years, Barbiecore has been recirculating in various forms, often taking the fashion world by storm. Take, for example, Jeremy Scott’s Spring/Summer 2015 collection for Moschino, where models walked the runway in blonde wigs, pink lipstick, fuchsia leather jackets and rollerblades (a nod to Mattel’s Rollerblade Barbie).
View this post on Instagram
More recently, Pierpaolo Piccioli’s hyper-pink Autumn/Winter 2022 fashion show for Valentino referenced Barbie too and even resulted in establishing a new Pantone shade titled ‘Valentino Pink PP’.
How to get the look
While pink is the most prominent element in Barbiecore, it’s not the only way to incorporate the trend into your wardrobe.
-
Try prints and stripes
If pink isn’t really your colour, how about embracing Barbiecore in the form of playful patterns? Nasty Gal’s voluminous, black and white, striped skirt is very similar to one of Barbie’s staples. Pair with a glittery top and you’ll be good to go.
Alternatively, you can add a touch of Barbie to your swimwear, with polka dots, stripes and fun prints — check out this striped River Island swimsuit in aqua green or this Vero Moda one-shoulder piece in pink swirl print.
Read more: How .blacktogrey is helping the fashion industry go green
View this post on Instagram
-
Trust in the gloss
Shiny, plastic-like pieces are a big part of Barbiecore, so be sure to accessorise with a glossy bag, sunnies or shoes. This Russell & Bromley envelope clutch is made from neon pink leather for that extra-polished effect, while these wayfarer-style sunglasses from Oliver Bonas can perfectly complete a Barbie-inspired beach look.
When it comes to shoes, jellies are the way to go: give these glittery pink Juju jellies a go or choose these more minimal black, heeled jelly shoes from London Rebel. For something with a little more height, these Steve Madden high-heeled pumps are an excellent choice, or you may opt for a similar design in black from ASOS.
-
Go pink
Of course, pink is still the go-to for all things Barbiecore. Keep it classic with a hot-pink dress, such as this cute mini offering with square neckline and bow detail from French Connection, which also comes with adjustable straps. Or choose a more romantic option in a lighter hue such as this Nobody’s Child frilled dress with ruffled square neckline and puff sleeves.
These high-waisted linen shorts from New Look can also work great for the office, while still echoing the Barbie charm.
Barbie hits UK cinemas on 21 July 2023.
