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Barbiecore: 17 things things you need to nail the doll-themed trend

Thanks to Margot Robbie there has never been a better time to "think pink"

Barbiecore shopping
Natalie Salmon
Fashion Digital Editor
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On almost every red carpet over the last year or so, Barbie mania has appeared to be the unspoken dress code amongst the star-studded guests. Thanks to a combination of the mind-blowingly popular Valentino clothing collection in 2022, plus the long-awaited live action Barbie film which is set to be released in July 2023, there's only one trend on every self-respecting fashionistas mind right now: Barbiecore.

What is Barbiecore?

Barbiecore is the term that was coined when the world seemed to go crazy for pink everything in 2022. Valentino creative director Pierpaolo Piccioli can be credited as starting the trend with his AW22 collection (more on this below), with Anne Hathway adding fuel to the fire and stopping the fashion world in its tracks by attending the show in head-to-toe pink last year. The Grammy's shortly followed Piccioli's show, and its fabulous fuchsia palette totally dominated the red carpet style agenda. 

MORE: Margot Robbie takes style cues from Princess Kate for her latest Barbiecore moment 

RELATED: Margot Robbie gives Barbiecore a retro spin at Asteroid City premiere

Anne Hathaway put the trend on our radar in March 2022© Ernesto Ruscio
Anne Hathaway put the trend on our radar in March 2022

Call the timing a coincidence or call it fate. Though the live action Barbie movie was announced way back in 2019, the pink sartorial craze gained even more momentum in June 2022 when Margot Robbie and Ryan Reynolds were spotted on set filming. Fast-forward a year to June 2023 and we have two epic trailers full of incredible outfits, Dua Lipa has announced her role in the film and she's sporting bright blue hair for it, and Nicki Minaj has released an official song from the film soundtrack which samples Aqua's hit single Barbie Girl. On TikTok as of June 2023, the hashtag #barbiecore has garnered 388 million views, whilst #Barbie has a whopping 41.2 billion. 

More than a fashion movement, Barbiecore is also a philosophy. According to Business Insider, "Barbiecore is a Gen Z and Millennial response to the quarantining and social distancing from the pandemic, a sexual coming-out moment of sorts, version 2.0 of hot-girl summer. The look, which LGBTQ icons like Lil Nas X and Laverne Cox have embraced, is a feminist statement. It flips the script on stereotypes — specifically that if you wear pink, you're not smart — and expands the notion of femininity to include people beyond blonde, white, heterosexual, cisgender women, industry experts and enthusiasts said."

MORE: Margot Robbie and Ryan Gosling just served major Barbie and Ken energy 

RELATED: Anne Hathaway is the ultimate Barbie in glittering Valentino dress

How did the Barbiecore trend start? 

An obvious reference point was Pierpaolo Piccioli's historic Autumn/Winter 2022 collection was almost exclusively pink; the unabashedly rosy shade was created by Pantone for the show, officially titled ‘Valentino Pink PP’. The pink hue in question was oh-so Barbie, and it was seen on almost everything in the show, from clothing to makeup and hoisery. “I wanted to use one colour to highlight fashion as cut, design, silhouette, shapes, volumes, textures,” explained Pierpaolo Piccioli of the collection.

Add the excitement of the Barbie movie into the mix, and there's nothing the world wanted more than a wardrobe of perfectly pink pieces.

Margot Robbie in pink polka dot dress at Four Seasons Hotel Los Angeles Barbie photocall© Getty
Margot Robbie was Barbiecore personified at the Four Seasons Hotel Los Angeles for a Barbie movie photocall

Few films have been as hotly-anticipated as Margot Robbie's upcoming flick. The film based on the eponymous, world-famous doll by Mattel, is the first ever Barbie live-action movie. So far we have been fascinated by the trailers that show already iconic costumes which are being designed by the Oscar-award winning Jacqueline Durran. 

To top it off, Robbie has sported nothing but sensational outfits that nod to her eponymous character in the press and red carpet events building up to the movie release. From retro Barbie looks to a 2013 edition doll-inspired custom Valentino outfit created by Pierpaolo Piccioli, she is only futhering our intentions to add pink everything to our summer 2023 wishlists.

17 things you need to get the Barbiecore look: 

Roxy Crystal Fxsia - Bettina Vermillon
Roxy Crystal Fuxsia - Bettina Vermillon
Barbie Purse Case - Casetify
Barbie Purse Case - Casetify
Gommettine Buckle Slingbacks - Roger Vivier
Gommettine Buckle Slingbacks - Roger Vivier
Beads Beacelet - Mejuri
Beads Beacelet - Mejuri
Marina Raphael - Evangelie in Rose
Marina Raphael - Evangelie in Rose
Thomas Sabo - Pink Cubic Zirconia Stud Earrings
Thomas Sabo - Pink Cubic Zirconia Stud Earrings
Aspinal of London - Paris Bag
Aspinal of London - Paris Bag
Ace and Tate - Patsy Sunglasses
Ace and Tate - Patsy Sunglasses
Dita Satin Crystal Heeled Mules
Dita Satin Crystal Heeled Mules
Viv' Choc Summer Stripes Medium Shopping Bag in Fabric - Roger Vivier
Viv' Choc Summer Stripes Medium Shopping Bag in Fabric - Roger Vivier
River Island - sequin bodycon mini dress
River Island - sequin bodycon mini dress
Cece Jewellery - Rose & Diamond Ring
Cece Jewellery - Rose & Diamond Ring
Barbie x Skinnydip - Camera Shock Phone Case
Barbie x Skinnydip - Camera Shock Phone Case
Flabelus - Frances Mary-Jane
Flabelus - Frances Mary-Jane
Frame - Wide-leg linen-blend pants
Frame - Wide-leg linen-blend pants
Vivienne Westwood - Loelia Earrings
Vivienne Westwood - Loelia Earrings
WNU - Linen Fuschia Pink Stripe
WNU - Linen Fuschia Pink Stripe

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