Skipper Roberts was a doll created by Mattel in 1964 to be Barbie's younger sister, as well as to oppose controversies directed at Barbie. Since Skipper was introduced, she has changed immensely. When she first came out, she was 9.25 inches in height (compared to Barbie's 11.5 inches), and then as newer versions were released she gradually became taller with an older appearance, eventually turning out to be almost as tall as Barbie. At first, Skipper was available with three different hair colors, but later was only available as a blond. Usually, Skipper dolls had blue eyes.
Skipper has also had many same-size friends and a few boyfriends. The doll also appeared as a character in several Random House novels and Marvel Comics. A fictional biography was developed for her from these, as well as from the backs of the boxes which held the dolls that were sold. Several celebrity and fantasy dolls were produced at the Skipper size, most recently two twin dolls from the Barbie in the 12 Dancing Princesses line.
Vintage (1963-1973)
Skipper was created, along with Midge, to counteract criticism that claimed Barbie was a sex symbol. Midge's facial appearance was gentler than Barbie's, whereas Skipper was a response to requests that wanted Barbie to have children; however, instead of having a married, pregnant Barbie, which would make her too domestic, Barbie would babysit Skipper. As Barbie's little sister, Skipper was Barbie's first family member sold. Since their introduction in the early 1960s, Skipper dolls have changed drastically.
Vintage versions
1964
- Skipper Barbie's Little Sister
- Skipper Party Time Giftset
- Barbie Wedding Party Giftset Skipper Ken Barbie Midge
- Japanese Skipper
1965
- Skooter
- Ricky
- Bendable Leg Skipper, Skooter
- Skooter Cut 'n Button Set (Sears Exclusive)
- Skipper On Wheels
1968
- Twist & Turn Skipper
1969
- Twist & Turn Skipper
- Skipper Perfectly Pretty Gift Set (Sears Exclusive)
1970
- Dramatic New Living Skipper
- Skipper Barbie's Little Sister re-issued
- Young Ideas
- Japanese Skipper
- Living Skipper Doll Vert Best Velvet Set
- Twist & Turn Skipper
1971
- Living Skipper
- Sunshine Special Sears Exclusive Fluff Doll Gift Set
- Living Fluff
1972
- The Sun Set Malibu Skipper
- Pose N Play Skipper (Sears Exclusive)
- Pose N Play Tiff
1973
- Quick Curl Skipper
1974
- No. 8126 Skipper
- Funtime Skipper
- Funtime Skooter
Vintage fashions
1964
- Ballet Class
- Under Pretties
- Red Sensation
- Silk 'n Fancy
- Masquerade
- Flower Girl
- Dress Coat
- School Days
- Skating Fun
- Dreamtime
1965
- Day At The Fair
- Sunny Pastels
- Cookie Time
- Me 'N My Doll
- Platter Party
- Outdoor Casuals
- Rain Or Shine
- Land & Sea
- Ship Ahoy
- Happy Birthday
- Fun Time
- Sunday Suit
- School Girl
- Town Togs
- Wooly P.J.'s
- Party Pink
- Lights Out
- Saturday Show
- Little Leaguer
1966
- Can You Play
- Tea Party
- What's New at the Zoo
- Chill Chasers
- Rainy Day Checkers
- Dog Show
- Loungin' Lovelies
- Let's Play House
- Country Picnic
- Junior Bridesmaid
- Learning To Ride
- Sledding Fun
1967
- Beachy Peachy
- Flower Showers
- Rolla Scoot
- All Spruced Up!
- Right In Style
- Popover
- 'Jamas 'N Jaunties
- Hearts 'n Flowers
- Glaid Plaids
- Lolapaloozas
- Velvet 'N Lace
- All Prettied Up!
1968
- Baby Dolls
- Patent 'n Pants
- Posie Party
- Quick Change
- Real Sporty
- Skimmy Stripes
- Trim Twosome
- Warm 'n Wonderful
1969
- Chilly Chums
- Drizzle Sizzle
- Eeny, Meeny, Midi
- Hopscotchins
- Ice Cream 'n Cake
- Jazzy 'Jamas
- Jeepers Creepers
- Knit Bit
- Pants 'n Pinafore
- Plaid City
- School's Cool
- Sunny Suity
1970
- Budding Beauty
- Daisy Crazy
- Fancy Pants
- Lemon Fluff
- Lots of Lace
- Pink Princess
- Rik Rak Rah
- Super Slacks
- Triple Treat
- Twice As Nice
- Velvet Blush
- Wooly Winner
1971
- All Over Felt
- Ballerina
- Double Dashers
- Dressed In Velvet
- Goin' Sleddin'
- Ice-Skatin'
- Little Miss Midi
- Long 'n Short Of It
- Lullaby Lime
- Sweet Orange
- Teeter Timers
- Tennis Time
Fashion Paks
1970
- Happy Times!
- Nighty Night
- Side Lights
- Summer Slacks
- Toe Twinklers
- Undertones
1971
- Action Fashions
- Check The Suit
- Skimmer 'n Scarf
- Some Shoes
- Sporty Shorty
- The Slumber Party
Modern (1973-2009)
In 1975 Growing Up Skipper was released. The gimmick of the doll, which led to much controversy in the newspapers, was that if Skipper's arm was rotated, the doll would become an inch taller and small breasts would appear on her rubber torso. In 1979 Skipper's entire appearance changed. She was advertised as "Super Teen Skipper." She had a new body mold which included small permanent breasts, and a different head mold that made her look slightly older. In 1985, Hot Stuff Skipper was released, which had another new head mold that included the addition of dimples and a longer face.
Skipper changed again in 1988 with the release of Teen Fun Skipper. Her new body mold was taller and more graceful. Her waist was more flexible and her breasts were slightly bigger. Her eyes were also enlarged, giving her a cartoon-like look. At this stage she appeared to be somewhere between 13 to 15 years old. Later, Skipper had a new head mold with smaller eyes in a Pizza Party line, but with the same body mold. Many collectors believe that the 'Pizza Party' head mold was the most popular, if not the prettiest, version of Skipper. Dolls with the 'Pizza Party' Skipper head mold and the 1960s head mold are the most sought after Skipper dolls by collectors.
Finally, in 1997, Teen Skipper was introduced. She again had a new body mold and was now almost as tall as her sister Barbie. This was mostly because of her legs, which were now long and lanky. Most notable of all, however, was Skipper's new face mold. She no longer looked like a child, but more like a girl on the brink of becoming a woman, appearing to be about 16 years of age.
In 1994, the first vintage reproduction Skipper was produced specifically for collectors to celebrate the 30th anniversary of Skipper's introduction. Instead of the usual vinyl, the dolls were made of porcelain. She wore a blue reproduction dress from 1965, known then as "Happy Birthday." In 2007, Mattel released their second vintage reproduction Skipper doll, this time sold in a gift set along with a reproduction of a vintage swirl ponytail Barbie doll.
Modern versions
1975
- Gold Medal Skipper (Europe)
- Gold Medal Skipper (Italy)
- Growing Up Skipper, Ginger
1976
- Malibu Skipper
- Deluxe Quick Curl Skipper (Europe)
1978
- Partytime Skipper (Europe)
- Malibu Skipper
- Spiel Mit Skipper(Europe)
1979
- Sun Lovin' Malibu Skipper
- Beach Time Skipper (Europe and Canada)
- Super Teen Skipper
- Unknown French Skipper
1980
- Scott
- Jeans Skipper (Germany)
- Sports Star Skipper (Germany)
1981
- Disco Skipper (Germany)
- Safai Skipper (Germany)
1982
- Sunsational Malibu Skipper
- Jogging Skipper (Europe and Canada)
- Western Skipper
1983
- Horse Lovin' Skipper
- Super Dance Skipper (Europe)
1984
- Great Shape Skipper
- Great Shape Giftset From England
- Ritmic Skipper From Spain
- Sun Gold Malibu Skipper
1985
- Hot Stuff Skipper
- Beach Time Skipper (Europe)
- Sea Lovin' Skipper from Spain
- Sea Lovin' Skipper (Europe)
- Sea Lovin' Skipper from France
1986
- Music Lovin' Skipper (Europe)
- Tropical Skipper
1987
- Jewel Secrets Skipper
- Tennis Skipper
1988
- Island Fun Skipper
- California Skipper (Europe)
- Teen Fun Cheerleader Skipper
- Teen Fun Party Skipper
- Teen Fun Workout Skipper
- Teen Sweetheart Skipper
1989
- Homecoming Queen Skipper, Skipper AA
- Teen Time Skipper, Courtney
- Beach Blast Skipper
- Pepsi Spirit Skipper (Toys R Us Exclusive)
- Cool City Blues Barbie/Ken/Skipper Giftset (Toys R Us Exclusive)
- Style Magic Skipper (Europe)
1990
- Cool Tops Courtney, Kevin, Skipper, Skipper AA
- Wet 'n' Wild Skipper
- Dream Date Skipper (Toys R Us Exclusive)
1991
- Babysitter Courtney, Kevin, Skipper, Skipper AA
- Barbie/Ken/Skipper Giftset
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