Barbie to be sold in 3 body types: curvy, tall and petite

Barbie is finally evolving; instead of the one-size-fits-all doll she’s always been, there will now be tall, curvy and petite options.

A 2006 British study (PDF) found that “girls exposed to Barbie reported lower body esteem and greater desire for a thinner body shape” than those who had been given dolls reflecting larger body types or no dolls at all.

Now, girls everywhere will see three new body types on store shelves; petite, tall and curvy.

The toys will also come in multiple eye and hair colours, and, as in the past, with a variety of add on clothing and accessories.

Some 57 years after the impossibly busty and narrow-waisted blue-eyed Barbie doll was first introduced, California-based toy maker Mattel on Thursday released the new models, which it says better reflect a changing world. The traditional Barbie was the doll our grandmothers and mothers grew up with. The fact that it’s Barbie makes it all the more noteworthy given the doll’s longevity and status, he added.

The new dolls will go on sale in the spring of 2016 worldwide.

Mattel’s move comes after years of altering the Barbie line in light of criticisms that the traditional blue-eyed, blonde-haired doll didn’t represent most American girls and that the doll’s figure was unrealistic.

Mattel has been searching for ways to recharge sales of its famous doll, which fell 4 percent in the most recent quarter as “want lists” from girls increasingly include iPads and other things.

Perhaps this latest addition to the line couldn’t have come soon enough.

“I think it’ll be more fun to relate to them and play with them”, 10-year-old Gabby Gutierrez said.

Barbie is hoping to jump into the modern world, and reflect the women, of all shapes and sizes, that exist for young girls everywhere.

“We are excited to literally be changing the face of the brand”, said Barbie senior vice president Evelyn Mazzocco.

Some, however, saluted the new Barbie wholeheartedly.