Holiday Barbie 1994 - Warm Furry Feelings


Two things Barbie could not get enough of in 1994? Gold and fur. Here is 1994, wrapped up like a present and trimmed like a tree (or, based on the front placket, trimmed a bit like a psychedelic gingerbread man.)



The gold is fine. The fur is concerning. Maybe she was going for a classic Marilyn Monroe vibe with the skirt lifted in the back, but the effect comes off more like a furry pool noodle. Don’t even get me started about the two tribbles on her shoulders. Some year, and it’s looking like it probably won’t be in the 90s, Barbie will learn that “less is more” as far as shoulder adornments are concerned.
An interesting addition to the 1994 Holiday Barbie family, is that there was a special Festival Edition. And she was brunette!



In addition to the hair color change-up, this version sports what I feel is an improved bodice and a strategically-placed donut wreath that….you know what? I’m not even going to touch on that one.



So in case you didn’t get enough gold this holiday season here’s some more from Evergreen Princess Barbie. By this point there’s not even a reason for the ostentatious shoulders. They’re just big and bold for the sake of fabric. Barbie earns points with me for taking it down a notch on the head ornaments and simply adding a braid for a bit of flair. And she immediately loses them with the reminiscent-of-neck-stretching accessory.



Let’s hope there aren’t any footbinding bandages hiding under that poofy skirt too!

And in case you didn’t get enough fur…



Here’s Peppermint Princess, where Barbie decided dressing up like Mrs. Claus wasn’t enticing enough. She really needed to ramp it up with a fur bib, a couple stockings tied around her waist and a fur crown.



Winter’s Eve Barbie provides a slightly better execution of style with the corset-themed top and the more shoulder-skimming neckline. The skirt looks a bit like wrapping paper my family bought in 1989 that seems to mysteriously show up in little scraps every few years ever since. But it’s 1994, grunge is in full effect, and maybe this is just Barbie’s way of channeling a flannel tied around your waist, evening wear edition.



Holiday Gala Barbie almost got away without any fur but couldn’t resist also smuggling a tribble around her wrist. Hey girl, whatever draws the attention away from that hairdo!
But you know where there’s not any fur in 1994? On Ken’s face!



1994 marks the year that Ken becomes a man and learns how to shave. Apparently with a shower squeegee.

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