Do you still like the idea of dressing like your Barbie Doll? And before you ask, yes I’m over 50. #menocare.
As a kid I was enthralled with the amazing pieces my Barbie got to wear. Not to mention she was dating Apollo AND Starbuck from Battlestar Galactica. I mean, what’s not to like? That woman had energy!
What says Barbie style more than fluffy tulle skirts?
Barbie Style Over 50 Tulle Skirt
I didn’t expect to find one thrifting but that is the joy of secondhand shopping, you never know what you’ll discover.
And yes these boots have barely come off my feet since I bought them. We had our first snowstorm this weekend though so I have a feeling they will be retired for a few months to avoid salt stains and breaking my legs. Boots lacking rubber soles with grips are accidents in waiting when walking on snow and ice.
I’ve been looking for a denim shirt with a tie neck for years. Patience is required when you shop secondhand. If you are tenacious enough you will eventually be rewarded like I was.
Tulle Skirt Inspiration
If you like tulle skirts Blair from Atlantic Pacific looks like she was born wearing one.
Considering she is about five inches taller than myself and weighs a fraction of what I do isn’t lost on me when it comes to her ability to pull off this look. Layers of tulle can add visual weight and shorten my already less-than-lengthy-oompa-loompa-legs but the joy of feeling like a princess for the day trumps the negatives for me.
Don’t we all deserve to feel like a princess now and then? If not now
, when?“We have two lives, and the second begins when we realize we only have one.”
– Confucius
A friend of mine uses the phrase, “We are nearing the end of the Snickers bar ” to describe aging. If dressing up like my Barbie makes me smile then I should do it. This Snickers bar doesn’t last forever.
Taking pleasure in small details in our daily routines is good for our spirit and those around us. Discovering ways to stay positive when there is so much negativity in the world helps one cope.
Come back soon to see how styled this same skirt as Mary Poppins meets this Dior campaign. Oh yeah. I went there and it’s epic.
Did your Barbie ever inspire some of your fashion choices as an adult?
Linking up with Visible Monday, Turning Heads Tuesday, Fancy Friday, and Spy Girl
When I was a kid I had a Disco Barbie. She had shorter, wavy hair and a fabulous yellow jumpsuit. It’s funny…I have really been into jumpsuits this last year. Maybe you’re onto something with the whole aging-with-a-short-Snickers-and-Barbie thing! Ha ha!
I love, love, love your Barbie look! So fun and whimsical and really lovely. (You do not have oopma loompa legs, you fabulous woman!!) Can’t wait to see what you come up with next!
Hugs,
Sherry
http://www.petiteover40.com
I’m into jumpsuits this year too : ). I’m pretty sure one of my Barbies also had a jumpsuit. I think jumpsuits are really good for those of us that are rather vertically challenged ; P
I almost squealed out loud when I saw this outfit. It’s SO delicious Suzanne!!!
You look fabulous!!!!! BETTER than Barbie and it screams with the vibrancy of your personality.
My Barbie years came at the very debut of the Barbie evolution. I had the original, formal, attire consisting of the pink satin, long, pencil dress with a train. I also had the long, sparkly black, fitted number with the flounce at the bottom. We’re talkin’ vintage Barbie stuff! 🙂 My favorite outfit was a grey wool like pencil skirt with an orange sweater set. GAWD! That little sweater set was perfection!
Your tulle skirt look is absolutely reminiscent of Barbie fashion!!
Oh wow! Your Barbie sounds so elegant! She must have been on her way to the Oscars all the time.
Absolutely love the skirt—and the boots!!!
I like the chambray shirt and boots with it–keeps it from becoming precious.
I do admire Blair Eadie’s style, although she not only is taller and thinner than me but also younger and richer. But I’ve followed her for years because she always looks like a million bucks, very professional while also being fashion-forward. Some of her photos from several years ago still look fresh because she is stylish, not trendy.
As for Barbie, I still have mine. Like many 50-somethings, she has a screw in her shoulder. Her hairstyle is exactly like yours–long and straight, with bangs. Classic yet youthful. Most of her wardrobe was made by my grandmothers and my mother. My favorite ensemble is a white dress with abstract blue blotches; the cut is very Dior New Look with a fitted, sleeveless top and a full skirt. The best part is the matching swing coat, which is plain blue, with an attached scarf, lined with the same material as the dress. This outfit has been my sartorial goal my whole life.
Yeah…she has it all…rich, young, thin and tall. I like her use of colour and the fact that she likes to mix things up.
Ha ha! I love that your Barbie has a screw in her shoulder ; P.
It is great knowing I’m not the only one that has been inspired by my Barbie.
That skirt!! Perfection! I love the tulle skirt princess look! Lucky you, finding one at a thrift store! A few years back when they were “in fashion” I saw them in a number of stores, but always with a price I didn’t want to pay.
Barbie fashion is always in style ; P
this is the most chic tulle skirt i ever seen!!
and – of cause – you styled it perfect! a denim shirt with kitty bow – so fun! not to mention THE BOOTS 😀
i´m not much influenced by barbie – thanx the iron curtain. but i wore tulle and lace skirts (old ballet items chucked out by the little local theater) in the 80´s – because cindy lauper and madonna posed in such in – the videos we could see secretly and in bad quality in west german TV…….
seeing yours it makes me want to wear one again!
xxxx
Ah yes! Madonna and Cyndi Lauper. Style icons at the time.
I want to be you when I grow up. Seriously!
Ha ha : P
There is never a time that wearing tulle isn’t a great idea. It shouldn’t matter about our age….we should have fun with the items we love and adore!!
I did have one sorta that used to be the skirt of one of my mom’s dresses from the 1950’s…but it wore out. One because I wore it, and two because it was old….bummer.
So I’m on the lookout for another. If you find a cream colored one, let me know!!
XOOX
Jodie
http://www.jtouchofstyle.com
I agree, age has nothing to do with how we choose to dress ourselves.
I’ll keep my eyes open for a cream one for you Jodie.
Love this look on you ….
Thanks Wendy : )
I’ve been looking for a tulle skirt like that FOREVER – it has an excellent amount of POOF! And to think you found it secondhand too. This gives me hope that there is another one out there somewhere for me.
Sometimes, as you know, you just get really lucky when thrifting.
Hi Suzanne!
I think I had a Barbie when I was younger, I was more of a tomboy growing up, so Im not sure! I do love your example with the tulle skirt! So fun and flirty, it has to make you feel like a pricess! ( I am surprised I haven’t bought one for my Truffles! 🙂
Love yours with the belt and those boots are so fantastic! I love the blue with snakeskin, it is unexpected and so cool!
Have a great day!
jess xx
http://www.elegantlydressedandstylish.com
It’s so weird to think of you as a tomboy growing up. You’re so overtly feminine now.
What’s great about Snickers bars is they keep getting bigger – there are now two-packs and jumbo king-size. Hooray! Hahaha.
Awesome tulle skirt, Suzanne, and your styling is right up there with Atlantic Pacific. Don’t sell yourself short (heh). Think like a swan, be a swan. Except then I honk. Oh well.
Can’t wait to see your Dior-Mary Poppins mix!
I need an upgrade to the jumbo king-size Snickers bar! Did you see the ones with all the sayings on them? Grumpy, Anxious, Angry? I loved those! I bought a bunch for Robert.
Ha ha. I think like a swan but I snort like a pug.
As a collector of vintage Barbie dolls and their clothes, your post’s title immediately appealed to me. In fact, it were my 1960s and 1970s Barbies who got me into vintage fashion in the first place, as I wanted to wear what they were wearing! That tulle skirt really suits you, Suzanne, and I love the denim tie-neck shirt, which I would have fought you for. And those boots really are exceptional, and complete the outfit perfectly. Can’t wait what else you’ll be styling the skirt with. xxx
It’s that wonderful that your vintage Barbie’s inspired your current style? That is short story I’d love to read.
Fantastic! And with those boots is just perfect. I had a Barbie who wore a patent trenchcoat with cropped jeans and black pumps. I always wanted a black patent trench. I do have a patent jacket! But yes, Barbie was inspirational!
Your Barbie sounds very Euro chic!
I LOVE this look! You totally rock the tulle skirt- can’t wait to see the next look!
The next looks is WAY out there but totally me : )
wowww, so fabulous tulle skirt and it looks so cool with your boots and chambray shirt!, Gorgeous!!!!
And I’ve never been directly inspired by any Barbie’s outfit, but probably my 80’s love has to do with her style. However I feel pretty inspired by the Dior campaign, those combat boots and tulle skirts!! so 80’s too!!
besos
That Dior campaign is truly fabulous. It’s a shame they are all calling it out on cultural appreciation.
Your skirt is fab! What a brilliant find. I’m hoping to find one, too…
I never had a Barbie and I wasn’t really into dolls at all but I have to agree the clothes were amazing!
That Dior Campaign is #EVERYTHING as is that skirt of yours! Unfortunately, the tulle skirt I scored at the thrift was waaayyy too small for me. 🙁
http://style4lessvegas.com
I was very lucky…this one has an elastic waist.
But where are your little dinky slide on heels? They always fascinated me although I never owned a Barbie and never wanted one.
I would think if you felt large in the leg region, a ginormous skirt would be a bonus. Anything under it would look tincy by comparison. Not that there is anything wrong with large legs. I happen to be rather fond of mine…they carry me around quite nicely 😉
Xo Jazzy Jack
Ha ha! Yes, those darn heels never stayed on their feet. Kind of like me now with pumps. I walk out of them all the time, thus my love for boots and lace up shoes.
My legs aren’t overly large (well I do have big calves I call my cows) but they are short. Like you wrote though, they still work so I shouldn’t complain at all.
Absolutely brilliant. LOVE it. You look splendid in these three items. No worries about the legs with those boots. No worries about your age either. It suits you like hell. I am always thinking of a tule skirt but as I have a big broad waist (we all have something wrong), I have to be careful which one I choose. So I need to try it on first and you don’t see many of these in the shop. And not in the secondhand ones either. Very frivolous for a country like mine.
Please don’t sell the skirt.
Greetje
Forgot to add that Barbie inspired me to always love white boots…
Forgot to add that Barbie inspired me to always love white boots…
Now that is one brilliant find , it was just waiting for you. It works so well with the pussy bow shirt and those stunning boots. I don’t think you are ever too old to wear tulle.
Barbie was just making an appearance down here as I was growing up , so not many to choose from and rather expensive. I saw a Barbie exhibition in Paris in 2016 , her wardrobe was quite something.
Look forward to the Dior look.
I absolutely love this post! I just purchased a black tulle skirt . It arrived today and I immediately tried it on and just love it! I too never had the opportunity to wear one in my younger years. I just love girly things with some sparkle. Thanks for the inspiration! I was preparing myself for an eye roll from my 26 year old daughter. Lol
As for purchasing items that resembled outfits my Barbies wore, I purchased this absolutely stunning hot pink bell sleeve blouse last year from BR. I owned the PJ Barbie doll that came with this awesome bell sleeve hot pink mini dress and really cool sunglasses. Whenever I wear it, I feel cool like her!
Thanks for your article. Made my day.
I love that you aren’t letting society dictate what you should be wearing Cheryl!
That blouse sounds fantastic!
Thanks for popping by : )
I saw this Dior look in Singapore. I even took a picture of three mannequins wearing this look in the shopwindow of Dior, because I loved it so much.
You did a great job; loving it on you: the awesome denim blouse, the tulle skirt and the boots. Wow.
I still adore Barbie, as you know, from the Barbie dolls hanging from my bedroom ceiling. AND the bunch of Barbies in my guest room.