The Barbiecore trend emerged in 2022 as a nostalgic celebration of femininity and fun fashion. This aesthetic featured bold monochromatic looks in sugary shades like watermelon and bubblegum and, more dominantly, shades like hot pink. It was commonly said, “The hotter the pink, the better.” Outfits tended to have feminine silhouettes like mini skirts or frilly dresses, with playful accents like sequins, tulle and neon. But how did this trend even start? Searches for pink soared 416% after images of Margot Robbie surfaced in 2022 looking perfectly pink, preparing for her Barbie movie. From this, a wave of pink seized social media trends, fashion shows, and every wardrobe.
Barbiecore was known for its unapologetic use of bold, vibrant hues like cherry, emerald and royal blue. But no color packed a punch like that perfect, playful pink. The Barbie movie featured costumes and sets saturated in fun tones like fuchsia, peppermint and flamingo.
This sparked a significant movement embracing vivid makeup looks and clothing.
Graphic eyeshadows, neon blushes and saturated lipsticks dominated every social media platform, and every hot pink clothing item was worn to the theatres. The psychology behind this craze for bright colors existed in the joy they evoked. Shades like hot pink represent playfulness, confidence and youthful energy. While the movie and Barbie herself warranted criticism for perpetuating limited beauty standards in size and race, Barbiecore's accessibility as a trend and the popularity of hot pink made it an inclusive phenomenon. Everyone embraced this trend, as bold pink clothing and accessories were available at affordable prices everywhere. TikTok proved to be the trendiest platform for this, focusing on sharing cultural moments rapidly that anyone could recreate or spin on.
What’s That In Your Closet?
“Nostalgia has a place in every wardrobe.” This famous line has never been true-er. With the revival of Barbie, everyone pulled out all their old pink clothing - from ballerina tutus from Kindergarten to the dusty pink pumps bought in middle school.
The outfits from the movie inspired a wave of cowboy outfits, 60s mod styles, Y2K/90s nostalgia and all the possible glam and glitter. The hot pink Western outfit with a fringed vest and bell bottoms was a standout look. This 70s Barbie styling has since been recreated widely, becoming a Barbiecore staple. The 60s got a nod, too, with mod geometric prints, bold colors and statement earrings channeling vintage Barbie. And who could forget the 90s and Y2K trends Barbie helped define–crop tops, butterfly clips, chokers and low-rise mom jeans captured her influence on millennium style.
The movie's sparkly shoes, shiny fabrics and holographic makeup reminded us that Barbie has always loved glitz. By tapping into retro nostalgia while adding modern flair today, Barbie continues to shape the cyclical nature of fashion. As flares come back around, neon brightens runways, micro bags adorn every shelf, and puffy sleeves get poofy again, Barbie is there through it all, looking as current as ever. The impact of Barbie makes nostalgia new, with a playful confidence that keeps her forever young. Barbie was, and is, a testament to the timeless appeal of unapologetic fun.
Celebrities and the New Pink
Last year (2022), the Valentino Haute Couture Show in Rome got quite a bit of dazzle because of the Barbie move, too! Many celebrities dressed in the icon hot pink for this show. Florence Pugh graced the catwalk in a voluminous, sheer, magenta ball gown, while Ariana DeBose and Anne Hathaway also donned vibrant Barbiecore looks. This couture debut cemented Valentino's affinity for pretty in pink. Creative director Pierpaolo Piccioli even developed a custom pink Pantone hue for the fashion house; some have credited Piccioli for sparking the Barbiecore craze.
Before Valentino, Moschino also dramatically amplified Barbie fashion during Jeremy Scott’s 2015 show. Models rocked wigs, pink ruffles and logo tees channeling Mattel's icon. One even rollerbladed down the runway in tribute to Rollerblade Barbie! By embracing Barbie so publicly, these design houses legitimized the influence that Barbie has today–which was heavily accentuated by the 2023 movie and Margot Robbie. Through celebrities and design houses, barbie was re-envisioned as chic and vibrant self-expression instead of child's play. These memorable runway moments underscored Barbie’s legacy and renewed her relevance. Thanks to high fashion tastemakers, everyone wants to try Barbie’s signature hue today.
The End?
As the Barbie trend has, yet again, begun to take a setback, let’s see its lasting impacts on the fashion and makeup trends. Most noticeable, the hot pink color has not left the shelves–forever 21 or even our wardrobes. We haven’t reasonably said goodbye to it yet. However, the makeup has transformed from boldened eyeliner, a full face of pink and glossy lipgloss, to a natural look. Margot Robbie proved that Barbie isn’t just the superficial image we have. Barbie is anything and anyone we want her to be. Life isn’t plastic, yet it’s fantastic.
Comments