What Is Barbiecore? Everything to Know About the Viral Fashion Trend Inspired by Barbie

From when the trend took off to what exactly the wardrobe entails, here's everything to know about the Barbiecore craze

By
Skyler Caruso
Skyler Caruso
Skyler Caruso is a Writer and Reporter of PEOPLE Digital Entertainment. She joined PEOPLE in 2021, but has eight years of experience working in digital publishing with a focus on entertainment and pop culture news.
Updated on July 19, 2023 02:46PM EDT
lizzo-hailey-bieber-anne-hathaway-megan-fox
Credit : Anna Webber/Getty; hailey bieber/instagram; Ernesto Ruscio/Getty; Arturo Holmes/WireImage

It's time to think pink!

Remember when the "coastal grandmother" trend took the fashion world by storm? Well, there's a new sartorial sensation stirring up the style scene and it's inspired by none other thanBarbie.

Minus the plastic, this trend — coined "Barbiecore" — is fantastic! The pink aesthetic has become a fashion staple throughout 2022, but donning it in the hottest hue paired with nostalgic accessories is the latest craze.

Aligning with thehighly-anticipatedBarbie film that premieres on July 21, pink has been top of mind for many since photos ofMargot Robbie inthe role of the iconic Mattel doll werecaptured on set last June.

With theofficialBarbie trailer released and the theatrical debut just days away, all-things pink is surely here to stay — with the addition of her iconic accessories, too! Between her pink, plastic purses and pink, platform pumps (whenshe's not rollerblading, of course), Barbiecore is already a summer staple this year.

Take a note from Robbie, who's been devoted to the Barbie bit off set, nailingnear-identical recreations of the Mattel doll's outfits throughoutthe film's press tour. Though current, theGreta Gerwig-helmed film isn't the only reason we're living in a real-life Barbie Land, however.

In fact, the fad phenomenon has been a trend on the rise since the 2022 Valentino Fall runway show debuted in March. Dubbed Valentino Pink PP — after the fashion house's creative director,Pierpaolo Piccioli — stars havegraced everything from red carpets to festival stages in the popular pigment.

From when the trend took off to what exactly the wardrobe entails, here's everything to know about the Barbiecore craze.

It's a Barbie World! See the Best Photos from the 'Barbie' Press Tour

When did the Barbiecore trend start?

Margot Robbie and Ryan Gosling seen together filming scenes for the new Barbie movie
Splash News Online; APEX / MEGA

Barbie has been in the spotlight since she hit shelves in 1959, but the Mattel-designed doll has entered the entertainment scape in more ways than one throughout the years.

For starters, rapperNicki Minaj has beensynonymous with the plastic doll since the beginning of her career — even calling her fans "Barbz". In addition, celebrities ranging from athletes to musicians have been honored withtheir very own plastic counterparts.

While the Valentino collection and the upcomingBarbie movie has made many channel the "Let's go Barbie" attitude recently, Barbiecore has been on the rise for the past few years.

Hundreds ofBarbiecore Pinterest boards have been created since 2019, and most recently, the term has been atrending hashtag on TikTok (with nearly 15 million views). Last July also saw a high search volume onEtsy, in which hot pink fashion-related items were up 35% in preceding three months compared to 2021, perGood Morning America.

How to dress in Barbiecore?

lizzo-hailey-bieber-anne-hathaway-megan-fox
Anna Webber/Getty; hailey bieber/instagram; Ernesto Ruscio/Getty; Arturo Holmes/WireImage

There's simply one color that encapsulates the essence of Barbicore and that is — you guessed it — pink! (Note: the hotter the hue the better.)

"A much-welcomed mood-booster after the last few years, 'Barbiecore' is all about embracing vibrant hues — particularly the doll's signature hot pink — in everyday life," Etsy trend expertDayna Isom Johnson said in astatement toGood Morning America.

She added, "And with many nostalgic for simpler, sunnier, and more carefree times, it only makes sense that this '80s-inspired, unapologetically pink aesthetic is taking center stage as the 'it' style of the summer."

Barbie's Evolution from 1959 to 2016

Silhouettes range fromlatex mini dresses todainty fit-and-flares, while details include everything from feathers to the Barbie staple: sparkles. Between ultra-high pumps to jelly block heels, shoes vary just like the toy's endless options. Furthermore, holographic and fluorescent accessories and plastic hair clips make fabulous additions.

Though hot pink is preferred, other shades such as bubblegum and fuchsia also embody the Barbiecore vibe. The color is only one part of the trend though, as the second part is channeling the proper decade, which spans the 1980s to the early 2000s.

Need more examples? Scroll throughRobbie's off-set Barbie-inspired wardrobe to recreate looks of your own andshop a plethroa of pink to get the looks right now! Plus, top your 'fits off with aMattel-modeled mani to round out the playful, plastic vibe.

Which celebrities have dressed in the Barbiecore trend?

lana-condor-saweetie-sebastian-stan-elsa-hosk
Getty (3); Shutterstock

Barbie has served as a style inspiration for celebrities for a long time ⁠— including Hailey Bieber's nostalgic Halloween costume in 2016 and Kacey Musgraves Moschino moment at the Met Gala in 2019 ⁠— but the doll has an even stronger influence on pop culture now.

Following the Valentino show in March 2022, the presence ofhot pink was powerful at that year's Grammy Awards, fromSaweetie's eye-catching ensemble toJustin Bieber's bright fuchsia beanie.

Soon after, the craze continued at Coachella that April when the stars brought the style to the stage.Conan Gray wasclad in custom Valentino, while headlinerHarry Styles stunned in pink feathers (andsurprise guest Lizzo matched)!

Khloé Kardashian Shows Her Glam Barbie Birthday Transformation in Sexy Pink Latex Dress

The color was prominent on the2022 Met Gala red carpet as well, withSebastian Stan dressed head-to-toe in a pinkmonochromatic look andGlenn Close in anelectric pink suit (both designed by the luxury Italian fashion house).

In addition to major Hollywood events, A-listers have thrownBarbiecore-themed birthday parties likeKhloe Kardashian's 38th birthday in June and Robbie's 32nd in July 2022 (she even celebrated on set with abig pink Barbie birthday cake)!

In the days leading up to theBarbie movie premiere, even more stars have hopped on the hot pink fashion pandemonium inspired by the very doll it’s named after. Among them includeKeke Palmer in aplunging-pink mini dress,Chrissy Teigen in aflirty bright pink ensemble,Dame Emma Thompson in ahot pink power suit — and Princess of Wales Kate Middleton, whogave the trend her royal approval!

What's the meaning behind the Barbiecore trend?

vanessa hudgens
Jeff Kravitz/Getty

The classic Barbie doll hasevolved tremendously since it was first created in 1959 and has become more and more inclusive through the decades. While the first black Barbie doll, Christie, was introduced in 1969, Mattel gave Barbie a 21st-century makeover as part of its 2016 #TheDollEvolves campaign.

Now, she comes in curvy, petite, and tall frames and in a variety of skin tones and hairstyles. Same with her male counterpart, Ken, who has also been diversified since first hitting the shelves.

Laverne Cox Gets Her Own Barbie Before Her Birthday — and Calls It a 'Full-Circle' Moment

As of 2020, theBarbie Fashionistas line features 176 dolls, both male and female, with nine different body types, 35 skin tones, and 94 hairstyles. In 2022, the toy company expanded itsdiverse Fashionistas line and added a doll with behind-the-ear hearing aids, a doll with a prosthetic leg, as well as a Ken doll with vitiligo.

On par with Mattel's mission, Barbiecore breaks down stereotypes and is a statement on feminism, Los Angeles-based fashion bloggerChazlyn Yvonne Stunson toldInsider.

"I think we have changed the way we think about the stereotypical Barbie girl with blonde hair and the perfect body. Nowadays, we are seeing all kinds of individuals, such as myself, partake in the aesthetic," the blogger added.

Read more:
You Might Like
Ming Lee Simmons 2025 PSW Last Look
Last Look: Ming Lee Simmons on Entering the Beauty Biz, Texting Mom Kimora and More
From the Magazine
November 24, 2025
PSW Holiday: Jewelry Gift Guide
Shine on! The Best Jewelry Gifts of the Season
From the Magazine
November 24, 2025
nordstrom psw tout
I Scoured Every Nordstrom Department to Recreate These Eye-Catching Celebrity Outfits — Here’s What I Found
Shopping
November 24, 2025

Related Articles

Ming Lee Simmons 2025 PSW Last Look
Last Look: Ming Lee Simmons on Entering the Beauty Biz, Texting Mom Kimora and More
By Michelle Lee
PSW Holiday: Jewelry Gift Guide
Shine on! The Best Jewelry Gifts of the Season
By Brittany Talarico
nordstrom psw tout
I Scoured Every Nordstrom Department to Recreate These Eye-Catching Celebrity Outfits — Here’s What I Found
By Alyssa Grabinski
PSW Holiday Fragrances
These 7 New Winter Fragrances Are as Festive as They Get
By Jackie Fields
Megan Moroney PSW HOLIDAY
Megan Moroney on Dressing Like Dolly,Dating Rumors and Dreaming of Meeting Taylor Swift
By Ilana Kaplan
PSW HOLIDAY NYE Outfit Inspo
How to Party Like a Star! The Best 2025 New Year's Eve Outfit Inspo
By Catherine Santino
PSW Ed Letter Brittany Talarico
People StyleWatch Holiday 2025: A Letter from the Editor
By Brittany Talarico
Lori Harvey; Anya Taylor-Joy; Demi Moore
The Best Haircut, Color and Style Trends to Look Forward to in 2026, According to A-Listers and Pros
By Karli Bendlin and Maggie Kreienberg
PSW holiday under 100 GG
The Most Stylish Gifts Under $100
By Brittany Talarico
Taryn McCleary, an influencer at the forefront of the Ralph Lauren Christmas aesthetic trend; New Years Eve Party dining table, Ralph Lauren Christmas
Former Ralph Lauren Employee Weighs in on Ralph Lauren Christmas Trend and Why Most People Are 'Missing the Mark' (Exclusive)
By Tabitha Parent
PSW Holiday Advent Calendars
7 Advent Calendars That Fill Every Day with Delight
By Jackie Fields
Megan Moroney photographed for People Stylewatch Holiday on October 7, 2025.
Go Behind the Scenes of Megan Moroney's PeopleStyleWatch Holiday Shoot
By Catherine Santino
PSW Holiday Gift Guide: Editors' Top Luxe Gift Picks
Editors' Picks: The Top Gifts to Splurge on This Year
By Brittany Talarico
PSW Zodiac Gallery tout
Ring in 2026 with a Wardrobe Refresh. Here's the Piece to Add to Your Closet, Based on Your Zodiac
By Hedy Phillips and Valerie Mesa
A set of four Yankee Candles in various fragrances against a blue background
Yankee Candles That ‘Smell Like the Holidays’ Are Secretly on Sale for as Little as $14 at Amazon Today
By Toni Sutton
Festive Christmas wreath adorned with ornaments decorative gifts and a Merry Christmas sign
We Found the Best Christmas Wreaths to Brighten Up Your Front Door This Holiday Season for $50 or Less
By Toni Sutton