1981 The Outfits

The Fashion Collectibles and Fashion Favorites ranges continued. The clothing is slightly better made than the previous two years (except Paint The Town Red, which is very shoddy), and there are some fantastic outfits here, with loads of great variations. Unfortunately the Fashion Collectibles (and some Fashion Favorites) were glued into the original packaging. This means that it is better to find good condition out-of-box versions than MIB versions, if you intend to open them, as the glue solidifies over the years and can leave nasty marks, or damage the clothing, on removal.

Again, I will only include close-ups of shoes and accessories if they were included with the original outfit. The Fashion Add-Ons shoes were partly made in Taiwan. All other shoes were produced in Hong Kong.


FASHION COLLECTIBLES

FASHION COLLECTIBLES #1930

1981 #1930 Fashion Collectibles
1981 Fashion Collectibles #1930
1981 #1930 Fashion Collectibles
1981 Fashion Collectibles #1930
1981 Fashion Collectibles #1930 in original packaging
1981 Fashion Collectibles #1930 in original packaging
1981 Fashion Collectibles #1930 in Canadian/European packaging
1981 Fashion Collectibles #1930 in Canadian/European packaging

FASHION COLLECTIBLES #1931

1981 #1931 Fashion Collectibles
1981 Fashion Collectibles #1931
1981 #1931 Fashion Collectibles
1981 Fashion Collectibles #1931
1981 #1931 Fashion Collectibles
1981 Fashion Collectibles #1931
1981 #1931 Fashion Collectibles
1981 Fashion Collectibles #1931 slippers
1981 Fashion Collectibles #1931 in original packaging
1981 Fashion Collectibles #1931 in original packaging
1981 Fashion Collectibles #1931 in Canadian/European packaging
1981 Fashion Collectibles #1931 in Canadian/European packaging

The version without the Hanes logo is featured in the US Barbie booklet for 1982 (see 1982 Outfits section).

1982 #1931 Fashion Collectibles
1982 Fashion Collectibles #1931 variation
1982 Fashion Collectibles #1931 in original packaging
1982 Fashion Collectibles #1931 variation

FASHION COLLECTIBLES #1932

1981 #1932 Fashion Collectibles
1981 Fashion Collectibles #1932
1981 #1932 Fashion Collectibles
1981 Fashion Collectibles #1932
1981 #1932 Fashion Collectibles
1981 Fashion Collectibles #1932
1981 Fashion Collectibles #1932 in original packaging
1981 Fashion Collectibles #1932 in original packaging

FASHION COLLECTIBLES #1933

1981 #1933 Fashion Collectibles
1981 Fashion Collectibles #1933
1981 #1933 Fashion Collectibles
1981 Fashion Collectibles #1933
1981 #1933 Fashion Collectibles
1981 Fashion Collectibles #1933
1981 Fashion Collectibles #1933 in original packaging
1981 Fashion Collectibles #1933 in original packaging

FASHION FAVORITES

FASHION FAVORITES Blueprint for success #1947

1981 #1947 Fashion Favorites
1981 Fashion Favorites #1947 Blueprint for success
1981 #1947 Fashion Favorites
1981 Fashion Favorites #1947
1981 #1947 Fashion Favorites
1981 Fashion Favorites #1947
1981 #1947 Fashion Favorites
1981 Fashion Favorites #1947 shoes
1981 Fashion Favorites #1947 in original packaging
1981 Fashion Favorites #1947 in original packaging
1981 Fashion Favorites #1947
1981 Fashion Favorites #1947 in Canadian/European packaging
1981 #1947 Fashion Favorites
1981 Fashion Favorites #1947 (Variation)
1981 #1947 Fashion Favorites variation
1981 Fashion Favorites #1947
1981 #1947 Fashion Favorites variation
1981 Fashion Favorites #1947
1981 Fashion Favorites #1947 (Variation) in original packaging
1981 Fashion Favorites #1947 (variation) in original packaging

FASHION FAVORITES Snow Bound #1948

1981 #1948 Fashion Favorites
1981 Fashion Favorites #1948 Snow Bound
1981 #1948 Fashion Favorites
1981 Fashion Favorites #1948
1981 #1948 Fashion Favorites
1981 Fashion Favorites #1948 accessories
1981 Fashion Favorites #1948 in original packaging
1981 Fashion Favorites #1948 in original packaging

 

1981 Fashion Favorites #1948 in original packaging
1981 Fashion Favorites #1948 (Variation 1)
1981 Fashion Favorites #1948 (Canadian/French version)
1981 Fashion Favorites #1948 (Canada/Euro)
1981 Fashion Favorites #1948 (Canadian/French version)
1981 Fashion Favorites #1948 (European variation)
1981 #1948 Fashion Favorites variation
1981 Fashion Favorites #1948 (Variation 2)
1981 #1948 Fashion Favorites variation
1981 Fashion Favorites #1948
1981 #1948 Fashion Favorites variation
1981 Fashion Favorites #1948 (Variation 2) accessories
1981 Fashion Favorites #1948 in original packaging
1981 Fashion Favorites #1948 (Variation 2)
1981 Fashion Favorites #1948 in original packaging
1981 Fashion Favorites #1948 (Variation 3)
1981 Fashion Favorites #1948 in Canadian/European packaging
1981 Fashion Favorites #1948 in Canadian/European packaging

FASHION FAVORITES Classic Cowboy #1949

1981 #1949 Fashion Favorites
1981 Fashion Favorites #1949 Classic Cowboy
1981 #1949 Fashion Favorites
1981 Fashion Favorites #1949 Classic Cowboy
1981 #1949 Fashion Favorites
1981 Fashion Favorites #1949 Classic Cowboy
1981 #1949 Fashion Favorites
1981 Fashion Favorites #1949 accessories
1981 Fashion Favorites #1949 in original packaging
1981 Fashion Favorites #1949 in original packaging
1981 Fashion Favorites #1949 (Canadian/European version)
1981 Fashion Favorites #1949 in Canadian/European packaging
1981 #1949 Fashion Favorites variation (I)
1981 Fashion Favorites #1949 (Variation 1)
1981 #1949 Fashion Favorites variation (I)
1981 Fashion Favorites #1949
1981 #1949 Fashion Favorites variation (I)
1981 Fashion Favorites #1949
1981 Fashion Favorites #1949 in original packaging
1981 Fashion Favorites #1949 (Variation 1) in original packaging
1981 Fashion Favorites #1949 in European packaging
1981 Fashion Favorites #1949 in variation European packaging
1981 Fashion Favorites #1949 in European packaging
Reverse of European variation packaging
1981 #1949 Fashion Favorites variation (II)
1981 Fashion Favorites #1949 (Variation 2)
1981 Fashion Favorites #1949 in original packaging
1981 Fashion Favorites #1949 (Variation 2) in original packaging

THE 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 #5207

1981 #5207 Kmart Fashion Favorites
1981 Kmart Fashion Favorites #5207
1981 #5207 Kmart Fashion Favorites
1981 Kmart Fashion Favorites #5207
1981 #5208 Kmart Fashion Favorites
1981 Kmart Fashion Favorites #5207 sneakers
1981 Kmart Fashion Favorites #5207 in original packaging
1981 Kmart Fashion Favorites #5207 in original packaging

FASHION FAVORITES #5208

1981 Kmart Fashion Favorites #5208
1981 Kmart Fashion Favorites #5208
1981 Kmart Fashion Favorites #5208
1981 Kmart Fashion Favorites #5208
1981 Kmart Fashion Favorites #5208
1981 Kmart Fashion Favorites #5208 accessories
1981 Kmart Fashion Favorites #5208
1981 Kmart Fashion Favorites #5208 in original packaging
1981 #5208 Kmart Fashion Favorites
1981 Kmart Fashion Favorites #5208 (Variation 1)
1981 #5208 Fashion Favorites
1981 #5208 Kmart Fashion Favorites (Variation 1) in original packaging
1981 #5208 Kmart Fashion Favorites
1981 Kmart Fashion Favorites #5208 (Variation 2)
1981 Kmart Fashion Favorites #5208 in original packaging
1981 Kmart Fashion Favorites #5208 (Variation 2) in original packaging
1981 Kmart Fashion Favorites #5208 in original packaging
1981 Kmart Fashion Favorites #5208 (Variation 3) in original packaging
1981 Kmart Fashion Favorites #5208 in original packaging
1981 Kmart Fashion Favorites #5208 (Variation 4) in original packaging
1981 Kmart Fashion Favorites #5208 in original packaging
1981 Kmart Fashion Favorites #5208 (Variation 5) in original packaging

FASHION FAVORITES #5209

1981 Kmart Fashion Favorites #5209
1981 Kmart Fashion Favorites #5209
1981 Kmart Fashion Favorites #5209
1981 Kmart Fashion Favorites #5209
1981 Kmart Fashion Favorites #5209
1981 Kmart Fashion Favorites #5209
1981 #5209 Fashion Favorites
1981 Kmart Fashion Favorites #5209 accessories
1981 Kmart Fashion Favorites #5209 in original packaging
1981 Kmart Fashion Favorites #5209 in original packaging
1981 Kmart Fashion Favorites #5209 in original packaging
1981 Kmart Fashion Favorites #5209 (variation) in original packaging

FASHION FAVORITES #5210

1981 #5210 Kmart Fashion Favorites
1981 Kmart Fashion Favorites #5210
1981 #5210 Fashion Favorites
1981 Kmart Fashion Favorites #5210
1981 #5210 Kmart Fashion Favorites
1981 Kmart Fashion Favorites #5210
1981 #5210 Kmart Fashion Favorites shoes
1981 Kmart Fashion Favorites #5210 shoes
1981 Kmart Fashion Favorites #5210 in original packaging
1981 Kmart Fashion Favorites #5210 in original packaging
1981 Kmart Fashion Favorites #5210 in original packaging
1981 Kmart Fashion Favorites #5210 (Variation 1) in original packaging
1981 #5210 Kmart Fashion Favorites
1981 Kmart Fashion Favorites #5210 (Variation 2) in original packaging

FASHION ADD-ONS

Shoes & Stuff #2459

1981 #2459 Fashion Add-Ons
1981 Fashion Add-Ons #2459 in original packaging
1981 Fashion Add-Ons #2459 in original packaging
1981 Fashion Add-Ons #2459 variation packaging
1981 #2459 Fashion Add-Ons reverse of packaging
Reverse of packaging

DESIGNER ORIGINALS

Paint the Town Red #1956

1981 #1956 Designer Originals Paint the Town Red
1981 Designer Originals #1956 Paint the Town Red
1981 #1956 Designer Originals Paint the Town Red
1981 Designer Originals #1956
1981 #1956 Designer Originals Paint the Town Red
1981 Designer Originals #1956
1981 #1956 Designer Originals Paint the Town Red
1981 Designer Originals #1956 accessories
1981 Designer Originals #1956 in original packaging
1981 Designer Originals #1956 in original packaging
1981 Designer Originals #1956 in original packaging
Reverse of packaging

The version below is even more Chippendales-like. The variation black trousers (the regular ones are navy blue – as shown above), though not noticeable on the photos, are actually see-through!

1981 Designer Originals #1956
1981 Designer Originals #1956 (Variation)
1981 Designer Originals #1956
1981 Designer Originals #1956
1981 Designer Originals #1956
1981 Designer Originals #1956
1981 Designer Originals #1956 variation
1981 Designer Originals #1956 (Variation)
1981 Designer Originals #1956 in Canadian/European packaging
1981 Designer Originals #1956 Canadian/Euro
1981 Designer Originals #1956 (Canada/Europe)
1981 Designer Originals #1956 Canadian/Euro
1981 Designer Originals #1956 (Canada/Europe)
Reverse of Canadian/European packaging

WESTERN FASHIONS

Western Fringe! #3580

This is a one-off outfit, designed to tie in with Western Ken and Horse Lovin’ Ken. It must have been a late addition, as the packaging is dated 1981, and it was included in the Mattel catalog only as an extra, loose page (which features Western Ken on the reverse). The earliest packaging was printed with the wrong code number (3582). Mattel therefore added stickers to the front of the packaging with the correct code, though 3582 can still be seen on the reverse of the packaging.

1982 #3580 Western Fringe
1981 Western Fashions #3580 Western Fringe!
1982 #3580 Western Fashions Western Fringe
1981 Western Fashions #3580
1982 #3580 Western Fringe
1981 Western Fashions #3580
1982 #3580 Western Fashions Western Fringe
1981 Western Fashions #3580 accessories
1982 Western Fashions #3580 in original packaging
1981 Western Fashions #3580 in original packaging
1982 #3580 Western Fashions
Reverse of packaging
1982 Western Fashions #3580 in Canadian/European packaging
1981 Western Fashions #3580 in Canadian/European packaging
1982 Western Fashions #3580 Canadian/European packaging
Reverse of Canadian/European packaging

BOOKLETS & CATALOGUES

From 1981 World of Fashion booklet
From 1981 World of Fashion booklet
From 1981 World of Fashion booklet
From 1981 World of Fashion booklet
From 1981 World of Fashion booklet
From 1981 World of Fashion booklet
From 1981 World of Fashion booklet
From 1981 World of Fashion booklet

The dealer catalogues often show prototypes. Here for example you can see Snowbound with goggles/sunglasses, and the Fashion Collectibles #1932 orange robe with pockets (as it appears in the illustration).

From 1981 Mattel Makes it Happen catalogue
From 1981 Mattel Makes it Happen catalogue
From 1981 Mattel Makes It Happen catalogue
Included with 1981 Mattel catalogue as loose page
From 1981 German Mattel Toys catalogue
From 1981 German Mattel Toys catalogue
From 1981 French Mattel booklet
From 1981 French Mattel booklet

The Italian catalogue and booklet show much earlier outfits, including Best Buy Fashions #2059, which was sold in the US as a Sears store exclusive in 1977 (see section 1977 The Outfits).

From Italian Mattel Giocattoli 1981 catalogue
From Italian Mattel Giocattoli 1981 catalogue
From 1981 Italian Barbie booklet
From 1981 Italian Barbie booklet