KEN & FRIENDS: MALE FASHION DOLLS & CLOTHING FROM 1961-1987
1980 The Outfits
Until 1980 the design of Ken’s trousers hadn’t changed since 1972, with a half-elasticated waistband (at back). During the Superstar era Mattel began to experiment with new styles. A few remained the same, but some had a totally elasticated waistband, while the majority were made with a metal popper fastening at the back. The outfits again came with booklets, or not, as Mattel saw fit.
FASHION COLLECTIBLES
Again, none of these Fashion Collectibles originally came shoes, so I have added some for the photos. There are a lot of variations, some of which are quite rare.
FASHION COLLECTIBLES #1375
FASHION COLLECTIBLES #1376
FASHION COLLECTIBLES #1377
As well as the obvious variation tops, the jeans also vary slightly in fabric. The back pocket is either a sticker, or non-sticky and sewn on along the top edge.
FASHION COLLECTIBLES #1378
The variations of this outfit aren’t all obvious. The buttons vary, as does the colour of the slacks.
FASHION COLLECTIBLES #1379
FASHION COLLECTIBLES #1380
Note that some of these trousers have blue stitching down the fly and some not.
FASHION FAVORITES
FASHION FAVORITES Running Start #1404
FASHION FAVORITES Tennis Everyone! #1405
FASHION FAVORITES Outdoor Man #1406
FASHION FAVORITES Well Suited #1407
SEARS EXCLUSIVE FASHION FAVORITES #1804
Sears sold Fashion Collectibles#2792 & #2796 from 1979 together as an exclusive set. It was available to order through the Wish Book (and presumably to purchase in the stores) as the unique Fashion Favorites#1804.
KMART EXCLUSIVE FASHION FAVORITES
All Fashion Favorites are dated 1978 or 1979, so without any printed reference, such as a Kmart catalogue, I’m relying on the received wisdom of other collectors that these outfits are indeed Kmart exclusives from this year.
FASHION FAVORITES #3449
FASHION FAVORITES #3450
FASHION FAVORITES #3451
FASHION FAVORITES #3452
DESIGNER ORIGINALS
DESIGNER ORIGINALS Golden Glamour #1413
DESIGNER ORIGINALS Evening Elegance #1415
The Canadian/European version below left uses a variation lace on the dickey. This can be seen clearer in the comparison below right.
REVERSE OF 1980 DESIGNER ORIGINALS PACKAGING
WEDDING PARTY FASHIONS
Suited for the Groom! #1418
There are several variations of this outfit, both in the cut and the fabrics used. All came with black Hong Kong-marked shoes. In Canada and France it was also known as Habillages “Mariage”.
The versions packaged for 1981 have a different design on the reverse, featuring Designer Originals #1956 Paint the Town Red.