Barbie is in her bag: A chat and all the official Barbie collabs you can shop.

How many times have you seen Barbie today? Barbie merch? Margot Robbie as Barbie? Is it more than you can count? Yeah, me too.

Fair Warning

Okay, so full transparency, I’m going to take two different sides during this article. We’re first going to walk through the negative effects of over-consumption and how movies, social media and large consumer brands can encourage it. And then I’m going to do a 180 on ya and share a few collabs that I think are super cute.

The Bad

So, as you’re probably fully aware of at this point, this movie has generated A LOT of stir— namely by means of consumerism. It seems like one or two Barbie collabs started and then every single brand you have ever come into contact with decided they needed a Barbie line too.

Sportswear? Barbie line.

Hair Accessories? Barbie line.

Skincare? Barbie line.

Crocs? Barbie line.

Rugs? Barbie line!

I’m telling you, once I see one, I see another two minutes later in my Insta-feed. I’ve lost count of how many times I’ve seen something described as “Barbie pink” or “Malibu-ready”.

And I get it, they’re businesses at the end of the day trying to make a buck any way they can. And Barbie gets it too, cause homegirl must be in her BAG with all of these. Mattel is cackling in the corner watching everyone swarm to the latest drop. Ah consumerism, it’s so predictable and goes through its cycles. Unfortunately, the stage that we’re in now is on the cusp of unhealthy.

The Ugly

According to The World Counts, the natural resources found on Earth are currently being overused by more than 70%. This is the downside of consumerism and is straight up over-consumption. We would need 5.2 planets to support ourselves if everyone in the world consumed like the average American. And it may not even be the brands so much that are using some sort of Jedi-mind-trick to get us to buy things we don’t truly want or need but us. Yes, we are the problem! Go ahead an re-enact that meme where you point at yourself in the mirror.

“It might not just be competition among the brands trying to sell us things, but also competition among ourselves,” says one socialist. And so yeah, you’re probably not ignorant to the ideas of peer pressure or wanting to show your shiny new [insert noun here] to your friends or complete strangers— but I’ll admit, I’m having a hard time making this connection to the obsession around Barbie.

Sure there’s the “OMG, look at my new Barbie [shoes, bracelet, pool floatie, matching undies]!!” But, I feel like, I don’t know, that joy is a little more pure given the content? Like, you’d really have to be over-the-moon, a huge Barbie-stan to buy a motorized Barbie toothbrush.

So I feel like, no matter how annoying all the promotions and marketing is for this movie and it’s limitless collaborations, these items are flying off the digital and physical shelves from what I can only imagine is genuine love and joy for the doll.

The Good

Okay, so we’re all sorted out right? Consumerism can be (and lately, the amount of it has been) bad— for us and for the planet, which surprise surprise, comes back to affect us negatively. However, consumerism can also bring about joy, your inner child, your creativity, your passions— and so much more.

Don’t get me wrong, some of these collaborations are just down-right money-grabs on the brand’s part. But some of them are really cute and thoughtful— some of them even made me smile and consider adding to cart!

And to that end, I want to round up a few of my favorites that I’ve seen and given my not-so-very-important nod of approval to.

Barbie x Kitsch

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This collab just made total sense in my head. One of the core components of having a Barbie doll is to be able to do their hair with no regrets— the stakes were low (relatively). So this wasn’t a leap at all that Barbie would have her own hair accessories and hair care line. IT’S ADORABLE. With lots of options from silk and satin pillows and hair protectors, cute scrunchies and claws— and more. Check it out here.

Barbie x Béis

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Okay, when I saw this one I just squealed in pure joy. The pink luggage and baggage pops SO WELL. I want one of each. And Béis’ items come with the confidence of good quality. I mean, imagine Barbie-fying your travel. If you travel often, but not super often like I do— it’s always going to be that little serotonin boost while you’re packing and heading wherever you’re going. Check it out here.

Barbie x Backdrop

To round out my top picks, I had to go with an old love. I used Backdrop to paint my new home last year and the quality of this paint y’all? Amazing. It’s thick, can be one-and-done in most scenarios and you can test every color with re-stickable paint samples that they can mail to you. Easy process, right? Now top it with the cutest colors you’ll ever see! Check it out here.

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Not seeing something you like? Have you no fear! There is way, way, way more where that came from! Check out a curated Barbie Collabs shoppable list made by yours truly, right here.

So, will you be heading to this theater later this month? And will it be with or without a full-blown Barbie ‘fit?

Shop my curated Barbie collabs list.

Curious about making your own shoppable lists? Check out Benable, and use my link to sign up and get a bonus offer after completing your first list. Get started here.

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Sources:
Vox
Good Housekeeping
Backdrop
Béis
Kitsch
The World Counts
Metro UK
MSNBC News