In the movie “Barbie,” Margot Robbie’s portrayal of Stereotypical Barbie uses wardrobe choices to convey the character’s transformation. While paying homage to past Barbie doll looks, the yellow dress worn by Robbie in the final Barbieland scenes holds deeper significance. Costume designer Jacqueline Durran explains that the deliberate choice of the dress’s draping, wedge shoes, and heart necklace reflects Stereotypical Barbie’s evolution.
Having returned from the real world and saved Barbieland, she desires to be more than just an idea – a creator of ideas. The bias-cut dress, in a soft yellow that departs from traditional Barbie clothes, accentuates the softness of the human body. Durran made the dress herself, emphasizing its uniqueness. The wedge shoes and heart locket symbolize the shift from traditional Barbie characteristics to a more human and fulfilled version of Stereotypical Barbie. The wardrobe choices play a significant role in visually narrating the character’s transformation beyond the script’s words.
