Your Fantastic (Non-Plastic) Barbie Summer Is Here

On July 21st,  a revolution is happening: it’s officially a Barbie girl summer, and this one is not plastic. Greta Gerwig is making this Barbie movie her own and disrupting the Barbie standards we have all grown up around. Growing up, Barbie set an oft-harmful, capitalist-driven framework of what femininity represented. Many of us felt disconnected from that standard while others of us leaned in. We have long asked the question, can we all be Barbie? And Greta answers: Yes! In fact, we already are. So let’s celebrate the Barbie-fication of the season, step into the unforeseen power of Bimbo-hood, and own the night. 

While Barbie confronts reality in her new movie, we get to lean into nostalgia and fantasy simultaneously. The best way to do that? Planning the outfit, of course. To the Barbie closet!

Stepping into your Barbie-est Moment: 

1. Pink is the Assignment

Of course, Barbie wouldn’t be Barbie without her hot pink aesthetic. Fortunately for us, pink is no longer reserved for gender-reveal parties. We can all work a pink moment, and for this historical event, we all should. Many of our favorite sustainable, reworked, and slow fashion brands have recently released Barbie-core looks for us all. 

Coast Tweed Mini Dress will make you feel like Elle Woods, a character so Barbie we’re shocked she doesn’t have her own doll.

Yummy Mummy Tube Dress from Ramp Tramp Tramp Stamp is what we would wear as the cool aunt who buys Barbie dolls for her gay nephews. 

Apollonia Set from Sant’Elia - To feel like Barbie underneath it all. 

Bong Cha Leggings in Magenta - These leggings literally translate to “ultimate girl,” which only feels fitting for Barbie. 

Paris and Nicole Zip-up Hoodie from Rogue Garms will make you feel like you are reading Teen Beat on the floor of your best friend's bedroom. 

2. Embrace Your Inner Bimbo

Barbie is the original Bimbo, but she reminds us that you can be a bimbo and still be girlboss (and maybe being a bimbo was actually the secret all along.) A bimbo can come in all shapes and sizes, but a bimbo always accessorizes. From platform heels to tiny handbags, the devil is in the details when it comes to Barbie-core.

Sequin Star Bag from Aisling Duffy to carry all your little bimbo needs like chapstick and pepper spray.

Hart Star Bandana from Leila Jinnah to remind the world that you are a star (and to shade you from the paparazzi). 

Palms Pump from Brother Vellies - these shoes look like they came to someone in a dream – a Barbie dream. 

Recycled Strawberry Tights from Shop Journal for that dollish look from head to toe. 

Secondhand Estée Lauder Bag it’s giving groovy Barbie. 

Choker from Custom Land LA - Barbie-core meets Tumblr-core.

3. Barbie Goes Big; Don’t let her down! 

From massive Barbie mansions to hot pink convertible cars, Barbie has always done it up. Now, it’s our turn to show Barbie that we can and will go head first, all in. The outfit is picked, and the accessories accessorizing, but the GRWM (get ready with me) isn’t complete until hair and makeup are done. 

Susty party makeup - Surprise! Our party makeup edit is perfect for your Barbie girl summer. Think lots of color and glitter. 

Brite Things Puppy Bow - go big with a big bow and show love for Barbie’s lil pup Taffy.  

Collina Strada Rhinestone Waterbottle- every susty Barbie needs a fun susty waterbottle to go with.

ILNP Opal Sunset- Go big, go bright!

Need more doll-inspired outfit inspo? Check out susty baddie Viv the Mole’s Polly Pocket Core article.