Try GOLD - Free
Heels to sensible flats: how Barbie changed her style as career doors opened
The Guardian
|May 15, 2025
She walked into the world on high-heeled mules, but as Barbie's many careers gathered pace, her feet have become more planted on the ground, researchers say.
A rare analysis of nearly 3,000 Barbies released over 65 years found that high-heeled incarnations gradually made way to flat-shoed forms, as workplace rules relaxed and an impressive number of career doors opened for the PVC doll.
The steady embrace of sensible flats coincided with Barbie's laudable engagement with professional employment, the study found, leading its authors to conclude that "Barbieland has a dynamic environment with evolving employment patterns and social policies".
The work, led by podiatrists in Australia and the UK, was spurred by a scene in Greta Gerwig's 2023 movie in which Margot Robbie's Barbie suffers an existential crisis, and an onslaught of screams and retching, when her tiptoed feet suddenly become flat.
This story is from the May 15, 2025 edition of The Guardian.
Subscribe to Magzter GOLD to access thousands of curated premium stories, and 10,000+ magazines and newspapers.
Already a subscriber? Sign In
MORE STORIES FROM The Guardian
The Guardian
Who wants what? Delegates likely to clash over targets and costs
Deciding to host a conference for 50,000 people in a small city in the Amazon rainforest was always going to be a controversial decision but Brazil is determined to carry it off.
4 mins
November 07, 2025
The Guardian
Walsh lives up to star billing and emerges toast of Ashes series
Likened to LeBron James, Australia’s talisman has left alasting legacy in England amid gloom of sport's future
3 mins
November 07, 2025
The Guardian
Gold fonts cause offence
Oval Office gets new cursive sign
1 min
November 07, 2025
The Guardian
ICC prosecutor's alleged victim 'was spied on'
The woman who has accused the prosecutor of the international criminal court of sexual abuse has been targeted by private intelligence firms as part of a covert operation said to have taken place on behalf of Qatar.
4 mins
November 07, 2025
The Guardian
Taking the peace The football we love is about Van de Ven magic not Infantino's bizarre next prize
A perfectly friendly-looking American guy, sharp suit, early 50s is wandering around Miami.
4 mins
November 07, 2025
The Guardian
Maatsen and Malen help Villa avoid more controversy with goals in comfortable win
The prevailing sense was of relief that, after all the breathless conjecture and discussion that had dominated the nation's news cycle at times, an event with no real winners passed safely.
3 mins
November 07, 2025
The Guardian
Big police presence at demo Six arrested in protests outside Villa Park after away fans ban
Six people were arrested during protests outside Villa Park last night after Maccabi Tel Aviv fans were banned on safety grounds from attending the Europa League match, sparking intense controversy.
2 mins
November 07, 2025
The Guardian
Powell in challenge to Reeves over tax plans
Labour should stand by its manifesto commitment not to raise income tax, national insurance or VAT, the party's deputy leader, Lucy Powell, has said, in a challenge that will put pressure on Rachel Reeves.
4 mins
November 07, 2025
The Guardian
Despairing and unforgettable: the bleak vision of a genius
In 1971, at the age of 48, the American photographer Diane Arbus killed herself.
2 mins
November 07, 2025
The Guardian
Belgian security council meets to discuss airport drone chaos
Belgium's national security council held an emergency meeting yesterday after drone sightings at airports caused chaos for travellers and raised security concerns.
2 mins
November 07, 2025
Listen
Translate
Change font size