Post by mamared on Aug 20, 2019 4:32:27 GMT -5
“Dolls can play out the timeless and magical story of The Nutcracker with this limited-edition Nutcracker Prince and Clara outfit set!” This two-outfit set was available for preorder for a few weeks in July 2019, with remaining sets becoming available in October 2019. It retails for $75, and is marketed as a limited edition of no more than 5000.
The outfits are very nicely made and come neatly packaged side-by-side in a holiday-themed box.
Here are the AG descriptions of the components, along with some more details and photos:
“A beautiful Clara-inspired foil-print white cotton nightgown, with soft blue satin trim at the neckline and a matching ribbon bow at the waist, plus delicate lace trim on the dress sleeves and hem.” This is very nicely made. It’s fully lined white cotton underneath, with the outer layer having an attractive silver star print. It fastens with a strip of Velcro up the back. I think the satin trim and ribbon are nice touches, and I also like how the ribbon is sewn in place so it won’t untie. The only thing I don’t love about this is that it seems prone to wrinkling. Grade:B+
“A blue satin-covered headband and fancy ballet slippers with elastic straps” The headband comes with one of the obnoxiously long tags (yay for Gabriela’s hair being able to cover it!) but is otherwise very nice. I really love the ballet slippers and how they already have the elastic straps tied up. I’m not a dancer so this helps take the guesswork out of whether I’m putting them on correctly, and they stay on quite securely. Grade: A
I don’t see a description for Clara’s nutcracker doll, but sure enough, she gets one! Sure, it’s plastic, but that means it’s also lightweight and easy for her to hold. The lever in the back really works to move its mouth, too! Grade: A-
“A red velvet hat with gold trim and embroidery and a black faux-leather bill” Although the hat was a little crushed in the box, I like the shape of this hat and that it’s big enough to come down over the doll’s head, without sitting uneasily on top or being so heavy that it falls over her eyes (unless you want it to). I also love that it’s fully lined and has the lovely gold braid trim. Grade: A
“A red velvet jacket fit for a prince, with shiny faux-leather collar, cuffs, and belt with metal buckle; golden fringe at the shoulders; and golden embroidery details” I love this! The jacket is made of the same soft, thick red plush fabric as the hat, and the golden shoulder fringe and embroidery really stand out against it. It attaches with a strip of Velcro along the front closure. The belt is a thick faux leather (like the cuffs, collar, and hat brim), and the buckle is real metal. The pants are made of a very thick white stretchy material and thankfully rise a little higher in the back. There are also black boots that look like they lace up the front but actually Velcro in the back; they have nice soles, but otherwise feel very lightweight and seem like the cheapest quality piece in this entire set (but they still fit well and look pretty good). Grade:A+
“Two illustrated limited-edition cards with Clara and the Nutcracker Prince’s stories on the back” Interestingly, none of the clothing labels make any reference to the outfits’ special limited edition, and it’s only the box and these cards where it’s mentioned. I do like the cards, which are nicely designed on thick card stock; I just hope they don’t get lost! Grade: B+
Overall, I really like the concept and the quality of these pieces and I hope AG adds to the collection going forward. If I could make any changes, I would probably prefer special labeling inside the outfits (noting that they’re special editions with the year) and a higher quality keepsake box (as I can easily imagine these getting packed away each year, and a more durable keepsake box could keep the pieces together more safely and would just add to the magic).
The outfits are very nicely made and come neatly packaged side-by-side in a holiday-themed box.
Here are the AG descriptions of the components, along with some more details and photos:
“A beautiful Clara-inspired foil-print white cotton nightgown, with soft blue satin trim at the neckline and a matching ribbon bow at the waist, plus delicate lace trim on the dress sleeves and hem.” This is very nicely made. It’s fully lined white cotton underneath, with the outer layer having an attractive silver star print. It fastens with a strip of Velcro up the back. I think the satin trim and ribbon are nice touches, and I also like how the ribbon is sewn in place so it won’t untie. The only thing I don’t love about this is that it seems prone to wrinkling. Grade:B+
“A blue satin-covered headband and fancy ballet slippers with elastic straps” The headband comes with one of the obnoxiously long tags (yay for Gabriela’s hair being able to cover it!) but is otherwise very nice. I really love the ballet slippers and how they already have the elastic straps tied up. I’m not a dancer so this helps take the guesswork out of whether I’m putting them on correctly, and they stay on quite securely. Grade: A
I don’t see a description for Clara’s nutcracker doll, but sure enough, she gets one! Sure, it’s plastic, but that means it’s also lightweight and easy for her to hold. The lever in the back really works to move its mouth, too! Grade: A-
“A red velvet hat with gold trim and embroidery and a black faux-leather bill” Although the hat was a little crushed in the box, I like the shape of this hat and that it’s big enough to come down over the doll’s head, without sitting uneasily on top or being so heavy that it falls over her eyes (unless you want it to). I also love that it’s fully lined and has the lovely gold braid trim. Grade: A
“A red velvet jacket fit for a prince, with shiny faux-leather collar, cuffs, and belt with metal buckle; golden fringe at the shoulders; and golden embroidery details” I love this! The jacket is made of the same soft, thick red plush fabric as the hat, and the golden shoulder fringe and embroidery really stand out against it. It attaches with a strip of Velcro along the front closure. The belt is a thick faux leather (like the cuffs, collar, and hat brim), and the buckle is real metal. The pants are made of a very thick white stretchy material and thankfully rise a little higher in the back. There are also black boots that look like they lace up the front but actually Velcro in the back; they have nice soles, but otherwise feel very lightweight and seem like the cheapest quality piece in this entire set (but they still fit well and look pretty good). Grade:A+
“Two illustrated limited-edition cards with Clara and the Nutcracker Prince’s stories on the back” Interestingly, none of the clothing labels make any reference to the outfits’ special limited edition, and it’s only the box and these cards where it’s mentioned. I do like the cards, which are nicely designed on thick card stock; I just hope they don’t get lost! Grade: B+
Overall, I really like the concept and the quality of these pieces and I hope AG adds to the collection going forward. If I could make any changes, I would probably prefer special labeling inside the outfits (noting that they’re special editions with the year) and a higher quality keepsake box (as I can easily imagine these getting packed away each year, and a more durable keepsake box could keep the pieces together more safely and would just add to the magic).