The Big Pink
*light Barbie spoilers lie ahead
I too, like many other women, gays, and theys, flocked to the theater for the opening of Barbie. Dare I admit I saw it twice? The first occasion was part of a birthday celebration of fellow co-author of this Substack, Jenna. I was then invited the next day by my roommates to see it. I heard enough positive buzz around the film to say, why not see it twice? I thought at the very least, it’d be interesting food for thought and conversation.
The internet has already been so flooded with thinkpieces and promos for Barbie that I was a bit hesitant to write about it, even if it’s solely covering what I wore. My anti-capitalist convictions make it murky territory— Do I want to further promote a corporation and newly minted production studio that exasperate impossible standards of beauty? I read on DietPrada’s Instagram that Mattel already reportedly has 45 movies(?!) in the works. These big studios love to take one good thing and ram it into our skulls ad nauseam rather than, ya know, actually support new creative work and pay actors/writers/crew a living wage (support the WGA/SAG strikes!).
All that being said, this movie was genuinely… a really good time. I laughed, I was moved, interesting conversations flowered from it, and it’s still marinating in my mind. Sure, I could’ve done without some of the on-the-nose “feminist” speeches. And there has been very valid disappointment from some in the Native community about the Barbie-Mount Rushmore and an unnecessary comment on smallpox (the latter being the only “inclusion” of Natives in this film, btw). Both of these, as a Black Native, made me visibly cringe.
So maybe this is a “yes, and” situation. Yes, I thoroughly enjoyed watching this film; the performances were fantastic, it criticized the endless pitfalls of patriarchy, and depicted the beauty of femme friendships, all for a mainstream audience. I loved the Depression-existential dread Barbie representation (if you think about death on a regular basis, tap innnn), and the lesson of being Kenough™, or not using relationships or positionality in a patriarchal society to define ourselves. AND this movie that was produced and funded by a capitalist corporation could’ve done better, especially by the Native community. (And and, corporations like Mattel are evil therefore necessitating the need to return the means of production to the workers, but I digress. ¯\_(ツ)_/¯)
For now, I hop off my soapbox to say it brought me joy seeing everyone pull items from their closet to dress up as their own version of Barbie. For years, I avoided wearing pink. As much freedom and creativity as I found in getting dressed, I did have some internalized discomfort resulting in self-consciousness around wearing such an overtly “feminine” color. So, to see the sea of pink continuing to flood movie theaters has been a delight. It can be fun expressing femininity in clothes, dammit! When was the last time we’ve seen people, particularly those who are women-identifying, collectively enjoy themselves like this? This may just be a blip in time funded by a corporate film studio on a small rock in an ever expanding universe, but I’ll take my small moments of joy where I can get it.
Finally, as a reward (or apology?) for indulging my chaotic thought-web, we’ve arrived to the what-I-wore-to-Barbie portion:
Barbie Round 1, the birthday celebration: I had been planning this outfit in my head since I purchased these platforms and this was one of the few instances that the idea unfolded exactly how I imagined it. Seeing an evening screening of Barbie was the perfect opportunity to take this outfit for a spin, as I had been not-so-patiently waiting for the weather to oblige and be *just* cool enough.
Barbie Round 2, screening with the roommates: I purchased this vintage top from AuH2O yearssss ago, and it’s still one of my most worn items. I thought the structure of the shoulder and weight of the wool would bring a seriousness that balances the playfulness of the bloomers, while the black, tightly-crocheted bag grounds the outfit as a whole. The shoes look like you’d find them straight off a Holiday Celebration Barbie, but they sadly started falling apart and cracked at the sole this first time wearing them. I won’t show you how the PVC absolutely sliced my toes because, *no free feet pics in this economy*; Admittedly, I’d have an abysmally low WikiFeet rating. Plus, no one needs to see bloody, sad toes on Beyonce’s internet (unless you do! No yucking yums here). The shoes have since been returned. They say beauty is pain, but not THAT much pain. Especially for a poor quality shoe — my vanity has its limits.
Barbie Round 3, a Barbie-Q: A new friend of my mine invited me to a Barbie-Q (hehe) at their backyard this upcoming weekend. Given the heat, I want to wear a layer-less outfit, so I’m thinking of this 90s tropical printed cotton mini dress from my closet. I wrestle with being a bit out of my comfort zone when it comes to summer dressing because I often feel less creative, typically relying on layering for visual interest. That being said, I think I’m having some fun here with the elements of this lewk. The silver chain necklace toughens up and modernizes the dress and vintage heels. The oversized bow and plastic wicker bag send the outfit to Barbieland 🌈.
Well, you’ve endured yet another piece discussing Barbie on the internet and deserve a nice little treat. And you deserve to dress in a way that brings you joy, even if it’s just for a movie about a doll! I, for one, look forward to more themed dressing for movie screenings because getting gussied up is a dang good time.
I am forever agape, agog, in awe, at your ability to bring so many elements together with such visionary cohesion. Truly hard-pressed to pick a favorite; these looks are all SO GOOD, SO BARBIE, and yet so impactful out of context.