For more than 60 years, Barbie has captivated generations by always being relevant in pop culture. There are few brands that are more well-known than Barbie. The vintage Barbie dolls are a symbol of the ongoing trends and fashion rules of its time. Looking at vintage Barbie dolls is like looking at a summary of fashion trends from 1959 until today, in 2023.
The 1960s is when the essence of Barbie dolls began taking shape after its initial release in 1959. There are a couple of Barbie dolls that stand out from the 60s, including the "Swirl" Barbie, the "Twist 'n Turn" Barbie, and, of course, the original Barbie.
As with modern Barbie dolls, it's also very sought-after for vintage Barbie dolls to be untouched and to be in their original box. That can have a massive effect on the value.
During the 1970s, the Barbie dolls became less proper and more relaxed in their outfits and appearances. For instance, the 1971 "Sunset Malibu" Barbie, which is dressed for the beach.
In the 1980s, we saw many more collaborations with Barbie dolls and other brands, including the famous "Happy Holiday" series. The 1986 "Rockers" Barbie was very popular in the 80s, hence being produced in such a high quantity, making its value less than $50, even though it's in good condition and housed in its original box.
Vintage Barbie dolls from the 1990s are easy to find. It may very well have been the peak of Barbie's fame, and the 1997 song "Barbie Girl" by Aqua didn't make things worse. In fact, the popularity of the song gained even more popularity and demand for Barbie dolls. Something like the "Olympic Gymnast" Barbie can sell for as low as $25, even with the box. In general, the value of the vast majority of vintage Barbie dolls is lower than $100, but there are exceptions where the value is much, much higher.
