The Life-Size Barbie Showdown
There are a lot of parallels to Life-Size and the new Barbie movie…especially the fashion. So let’s line them up and see how they compare.
For so many of us, we’ve always lived in a Barbie world–for better or for worse. As the Barbie movie approaches the box office and we debate whether or not to purchase a ticket, a lot of us have reflected and come face-to-face with our feelings towards this beloved doll.
Maybe you’re a bombshell with blonde hair, blue eyes, long legs and a tiny waist. Or perhaps, you’re not, and you’ve had to sit with the repercussions of forced westernized beauty standards. As a black girl and child of Liberian immigrants raised in North Carolina, I never looked like my Barbies or even the very few black ones who were on the shelves of Toys R Us.
During puberty, I quickly realized that my body matured faster than I did and even though I had the long legs, I was never, ever a size 2. For a lot of Black girls growing up in the 90s and 2000s, we didn’t have much representation and even when we did, it was always the same thin, light-skinned with good hair leading lady. From Lisa Bonnet and Hilary Banks to Tracee Ellis Ross and Halle Berry.
So when spring 2000 came, it was no surprise that when we finally got our own living doll movie with Disney’s, “Life-Size,” the same messages of colorism and model-esque beauty reigned supreme as supermodel Tyra Banks starred alongside the millennial princess herself, Lindsay Lohan. Tyra played, “Eve,” the popular doll that every young girl wanted. Though it was great to see a Black woman in this role, Tyra still aligned with beauty standards that seem unattainable.
The whole plot of Life-Size starts with a girl, Casey (played by Lindsay Lohan), who is lonely after the death of her mother. A series of mystical and magical things happen, which leads Casey’s Eve doll (Tyra Banks) to come to life and experience what it’s like to live in the real world. Eve navigates eating foods like whole sticks of butter, working a 9-5 and staying dressed to the nines for everyday events; and even contemplates her purpose, all with Casey by her side—for better or for worse.
Now, if you’ve seen the trailer or previews for the Barbie movie, I’m sure you’ve seen Margot Robbie’s Barbie character leave “Barbie Land” to venture out into the real world. There are a lot of parallels to Life-Size and the new Barbie movie…especially the fashion. So let’s line them up and see how they compare: Eve in Life-Size vs. the Barbie Movie (and pink carpet)!
THE Pink Dresses
Eve went glam with a strapless pink gown with a printed scarf train and accessorized with a tiara and blinged out necklace for the movie’s cover photo and poster.
Barbie went with a gingham/plaid dress very reminiscent of Dorthy from the Wizard of Oz. A little more preppy and kitschy.
YOU BETTER WERK!
Eve was giving Jackie O. with her pink tweed skirt suit and pearls for her first day in the office. She had no idea how to work a computer, but she looked fabulous trying to type!
Margot Robbie served 1980s working-woman Barbie realness at the South Korea pink carpet premiere of the Barbie movie while paying homage to another signature Barbie look.
Honorable Mention: More Barbies surrounded President Barbie in the Oval Office, all in a rainbow of pastel tweed suits! So cute!
Hats: The Wider, The Better
Throw shade if you want, but both Eve and Barbie rocked the most fabulous wide-brimmed hats–ready for brunch or the beach!
Red Hot Dresses
Eve looked STUNNING in this red, one-shouldered gown with a peek-a-boo black bodice. She kept her signature, retro glam with satin black opera gloves and iced-out accessories.
Margot Robbie rocked this red hot, strapless mini dress during another Barbie movie premiere. It was great seeing her take a break from her signature pink and I loved the corset bodice.
Retro Prints
Eve rocked this fun pink and orange leopard print with a very Y2K fuzzy cardigan sweater.
Margot Robbie wore this psychedelic, mod printed dress on the red carpet for the Mexico Barbie movie premiere.
I Mean, It’s GREEN!
Eve looked super chic with this green headscarf and matching raincoat + umbrella. Honestly, THIS is how you sit in the stands.
This Barbie wore the cutest green top with pink ribbon accents and a matching pink headband that really set it off!
Gloves + Tulle Mermaid Dresses
Eve rocked this blue and black tulle mermaid dress with magical butterflies as part of the promo for the Life-Size movie. The matching gloves and butterflies in her hair were the perfect Y2K accessories.
Margot Robbie took a note out of 1960’s ‘Solo in the Spotlight’ Barbie with this strapless, sequin, tulle mermaid black dress with black gloves during another big movie premiere on the pink carpet.
At the end of the day, whether you’re more of an Eve or a Barbie, or maybe a little more out of the box, it’s so important to embrace yourself and your style. So shine bright, shine far, don’t be shy, be A STAR! And that’s word to Eve!
Need more Barbie? Check out my latest Barbie-inspired earring collection here: CeCe LYdi
Perrine DeShield
Perrine DeShield is a creative fashion marketer, educator and first-generation Liberian-American who is always fascinated with the world around her and constantly pulling inspiration from her heritage. She specializes in higher education, fashion marketing, styling, social media marketing, broadcast journalism and more. She even buried the skort during her sophomore year student television show.
Perrine lives in Savannah, GA as "Professor P" and can't wait to wrap up wedding planning.
