1969 The Outfits - Something About The Boy

Four outfits appeared for ‘Mod’ Ken in 1969. Surprisingly few considering the wait and that this brand new Ken was far too hunky to wear any of the old Ken clothes. Still, they are great. Rally Gear is my absolute favourite Mod outfit, and Guruvy Formal is such a wonderful piece of fashion history. All Ensemble Pak outfits from 1969-1971 were made in Japan. Many of the outfits made before 1972 have small slits in the back of the collar of shirts and jackets, for the pull-string of the talking Kens.

THE ENSEMBLE PAKS

BREAKFAST AT 7 #1428

1969 #1428 Breakfast At 7 in original packaging

1969 #1428 Breakfast At 7 in mail order packaging — 1969 #1428 Breakfast At 7 with Penneys sticker

RALLY GEAR #1429

1969 #1429 Rally Gear in original packaging

1969 #1429 Rally Gear in mail order packaging

TOWN TURTLE #1430

1969 #1430 Town Turtle in original packaging

1969 #1430 Town Turtle in mail order packaging

The photo below right show a unique version of the jacket in beige. Could it be genuine, or a bleached version of the original blue jacket? If anyone has ever seen this version NRFB, please let me know: contact@somethingabouttheboy.com

1969 #1430 Town Turtle variation jacket — 1969 #1430 Town Turtle (variation?) jacket

GURUVY FORMAL #1431

1969 #1431 Guruvy Formal in original packaging

REVERSE OF PACKAGING

The new packaging kept the original ‘picture frame’ design of the vintage clothing, but the reverse illustration and text reflects the modernized image. The first version only mentions Ken (below left and right), so the design was slightly reworked during 1969 to include Brad (further below).

1969 #1429 Rally Gear original packaging — Reverse of 1969 Ensemble Pak packaging

1969 #1429 Rally Gear reverse of original packaging — Reverse of 1969 Ensemble Pak packaging (Slight variation imprint)

Reverse of 1970-71 Ensemble Pak packaging

SEARS EXCLUSIVE FABULOUS FORMAL SET

This set consisted of Talking Barbie & Ken dolls in their original boxes, plus two extra outfits. Ken’s outfit is a variation of Guruvy Formal.

From 1969 #1595 Sears Fabulous Formal Set

1969 #1595 Sears Fabulous Formal Set packaging detail

BOOKLETS & CATALOGUES

The Living Barbie booklet has Brad’s head and hands rather unconvincingly superimposed onto Ken’s body.

From Barbie's World: bright, swinging, now booklet for 1969 — From Barbie’s World: bright, swinging, now booklet for 1969

In Canada, the Simpsons Sears Christmas catalogue offered their own Ken gift set, consisting of a Talking Ken plus Guruvy Formal.

From 1969 Canadian Simpsons Sears Christmas catalogue

In the Gamble Aldens catalogue Rally Gear and Town Turtle have been mixed up, and instead of Town Turtle it is called Town Set. Breakfast at Seven is just called Breakfast.

From 1969 Gamble Aldens catalogue — From 1969 Gamble Aldens Christmas catalogue

From 1969 JCPenney catalogue — From 1969 Penneys Christmas catalogue

From 1969 Montgomery Ward Christmas catalogue

From 1969 French Journal de Mode de Barbie

From 1969 Dutch Barbie's Mode Journaal — From 1969 Dutch Barbie’s Mode Journaal

From 1969 Swiss Barbie's Mode Journal — From 1969 Swiss Barbie’s Mode Journal

1969 Swedish Barbie's Mode Journal — 1969 Swedish Barbie’s Mode Journal

From 1970 Swedish Önske Leksaken Brio catalogue

1969 German Barbie booklet — From 1969-70 German Barbie booklet

From 1969 German Mattel Spielzeug catalogue

From 1969 British Rosebud Mattel catalogue

From 1969 Belgian Mattel Toymakers catalogue

From 1969 British Radio Times Supplement — From 1969 British Rosebud Mattel magazine supplement

MOD LOAFERS & BOOTS

The outfits from 1969-1971 came with Japan-made loafers/boots. Below are examples showing the stamp. The loafers are made of a soft, rubbery plastic, the boots are a little stiffer. These classic loafers and cowboy boots were the standard Ken shoes for many years.