In the midst of all the hype surrounding the new Greta Gerwig movie, we must not forget the overlooked truth amidst the Barbie frenzy. While Barbie may be an iconic consumerist figure, there is another doll that holds true significance for many British women born between the late 60s and early 80s, and that is Sindy.
Lost in the recent pink whirlwind is the fact that Sindy, who was discontinued, is celebrating “60 iconic years” since her launch in 1963. Although Barbie has millions of followers on social media, the hashtag #Sindy has only been used 112,000 times on Instagram. Numbers aside, Sindy has always held a special place as the real doll in the hearts of those who grew up with her.
As a child in the late 1970s, it became clear to me, through societal influence and parental guidance, that there was something off about Barbie. She was ostentatious, American, and perhaps a bit self-centered. Barbie represented qualities that were deemed undesirable, both for dolls and for women. On the other hand, Sindy was wholesome, safe, and lacked the exaggerated features that made Barbie stand out. Her more demure and realistic proportions made her the preferred choice.
Not only did Sindy have a more realistic body shape, but she also had flat feet, which allowed her to walk like a normal person. This was important for a doll who wanted to have a boyfriend, like Action Man. While I had never seen a Ken doll, I was certain that Sindy was a better match for Action Man than Barbie. This preference stemmed from the belief that Barbie was “too tall,” even though all three dolls were actually the same height. Even as a child, I could recognize that Sindy was a more realistic representation of a woman compared to Barbie.
Sindy’s world was full of joy and excitement during her prime. She had a wide range of outfits, accessories, furniture, and even holiday kits. Sindy’s main activities involved homemaking, changing outfits, and preparing for dates with Action Man, ignoring the red flag of his swivel eyes. Whether it was a ballet Sindy with adjustable knees and ballet shoes, or an equestrian Sindy with a mysterious horse companion, there was always an innocent charm about her.
Sindy held a special place as a British-made doll, designed to be a younger, simpler, and less glamorous alternative to Barbie. At the peak of her popularity in the 1980s, Sindy dominated 80% of the UK’s “fashion doll” market. However, failed attempts to capture the American market led to the decline of the brand in the late 90s.
Now, as aging Sindy fans, we find ourselves in a conflicting position. While we want to defend and celebrate the role Sindy played in our lives, we must also acknowledge that as adult women, we may embody some of the qualities we once associated with Barbie. It is almost as if embracing the worst stereotypes associated with Barbie is a testament to our success. This may very well be the idea that Gerwig’s version of feminism aims to explore. Sometimes, it is the label we resist that we should fully embrace.
Denial of responsibility! VigourTimes is an automatic aggregator of Global media. In each content, the hyperlink to the primary source is specified. All trademarks belong to their rightful owners, and all materials to their authors. For any complaint, please reach us at – [email protected]. We will take necessary action within 24 hours.
