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Post by AG*dancer* on Jun 2, 2006 18:57:35 GMT -5
This outfit was worn by Felicity in the DVD Felicity: An American Girl Adventure. It was introduced in 1993, rereleased in 2005, and retired in 2010.PC description: Won't Felicity look fine when she goes riding with Penny? Her forest green riding habit has a fitted waistcoat jacket elegantly adorned with gold. It comes with a matching gold skirt, perfect for riding sidesaddle, and a fancy three-cornered hat finished with gold and a handsome plume of feathers.Pre MattelGrade: A+ I gave this an A+. I have the old PM version, and I've seen the newly released M version, and I would not give it an A+ in comparison. The old version is thick wool, and the new version is felt, which feels very thin in comparison. That said, I would much rather buy the new version than pay ebay prices for the old one. The design of the outfit is fabulous and the hat (which even has a little feather) is beautiful! The color really brings out Felicity's eyes. The gold accents are great.
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Post by QNPoohBear on Jun 3, 2006 12:54:27 GMT -5
Pre MattelI love the look of this outfit but the jacket is tough to get on Lissie without breaking her arms. The fabric is very thick and heavy and the jacket fits tightly. The gold braid is beautiful and sewn on tightly. The hat is fuzzy and has matching gold braid and a little feather. Some people complain that the seams of the jacket aren't finished but I don't think it makes a difference if you're not looking at it. My Felicity doesn't wear this outfit much so I can't say how it holds up over the years but I give it an A. It is unlined and the seams are not flat. Ruth models
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Post by American Girl Rescue on Oct 29, 2007 14:05:37 GMT -5
Post by MarisolGraceGirl moved from another PT thread: Riding Outfit - Pre-Mattel
Grade: A
Pro's: Great fabric, cute embroidery, nice quality!
Con's: It's made of felt/wool(?) and it attracts cat hair and lint.
Detailed Review: I really love this outfit! It is so pretty and like so many of her other outfits, it compliments her eye and hair colors. The fabric is nice, but as said is a hair magnet! The outfit is such nice quality and the gold embroidery is wonderful. It definately deserves an "A" on my scale! A must-have! (moved from original Jul 2, 2007)
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Post by melancholywings on Nov 19, 2007 18:35:26 GMT -5
Pre Mattel
I'd give it an A My 6 year old loves this outfit and has held up to her play and the child who owned it before her, but the thick wool picks up pet hair like crazy.
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Post by AG*dancer* on Mar 19, 2008 20:22:01 GMT -5
Mattel
I have the PM version, and in my opinion the Mattel version pales in comparison. The fabric is thinner and to me feels more cheaply made, it's not as thick as the PM version. It's smooth felt; not scratchy, just thinner. But it's a toy, and unless I could get the older version for a price close to the Mattel verison, I would buy the Mattel one. But it's all a matter of what you prefer and what's important to you. I would never pay high prices for an older version of an item that is currently being sold, regardless of quality differences!
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cami713
Historical Dreamer
Order of the Llama
Posts: 2,287
Feedback: Link
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Post by cami713 on Mar 20, 2008 12:09:03 GMT -5
I have the PM one, and honestly, I don't like it much. It's VERY thick, and especially on a PM doll, makes the shoulders look even bigger- it gives the doll a very linebacker look.
I wouldn't trade mine, simply for sentimental value, but I think I'll eventually get a Mattel one and use that for when I want to put it on Lissie.
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Post by adored on Mar 20, 2008 12:52:48 GMT -5
Mattel
I think the style and color of this outfit is stunning and looks great on Felicity. The differences in the two versions do not change that. In actuality I loved the look of this outfit and paid a large price for one because at the time it was retired and not yet reproduced. So I own the PM version but have seen and scrutinized the Mattel one at the NY store numerous of times. To be honest with you, I don't think the differences are all that significant to warrant hunting down and paying the high price for the old one. I would have been just as happy with the Mattel version and would have chosen that over the PM one in a heartbeat because of it's easy availability and reasonable price if given the choice again.
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Post by ravynsong on Mar 21, 2008 4:24:48 GMT -5
Yeah, and see I was thinking that a thinner fabric would lay better on a doll, being that a doll is smaller than a real person. A thick garment that lays nicely on a person might stick up all weird on a doll, KWIM? But again, someone just said it's made of felt. So is this a woven fabric or the traditional pressed-fiber felt?
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Post by gracie on Mar 22, 2008 12:27:29 GMT -5
I have both the original PC Riding Habit and the Mattel one. There is no difference between the two. Any differences are certainly NOT worth the price of the old version.
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Post by Tiffany on Mar 23, 2008 14:14:26 GMT -5
I have both the original PC Riding Habit and the Mattel one. There is no difference between the two. I beg to differ. I too have both and there are SEVERAL differences between the two. Here are some comparison photos. PM on left, AG on right. The material is a wool in the PM version (much thicker) and a felt in the AG version (much thinner) PM on left, AG on right. VERY noticable differences in shape, size, and feather quality. PM on top, AG on bottom. It may be hard to tell, but the trim is much more detailed on the PM version as well as the feathers being much longer.
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Post by Grandma Nonnie on Mar 23, 2008 14:33:28 GMT -5
I have the Mattel version and love it. I do not think I would seek out the PM version as I am very pleased with the one I have.
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Post by Dragonslovedolls on Oct 28, 2008 19:35:52 GMT -5
Mattel
I received this yesterday and am so disappointed that I'm seriously considering sending it back. The skirt is hemmed, but the jacket isn't 'finished' at all, it's ALL raw edges, lapels, collar, cuffs, bottom edge... and some places look as though they might fray. The cuffs (raw edges, turned up with gold braid part way in, looks glued on) don't even look cut evenly. And the wool or felt or whatever it is feels pretty thin on the jacket.
The skirt seems better made: the hem and side seams are overlocked. Those inside the jacket are not. Is this normal for the Mattel version of the habit?
Felicity's cardinal cloak also has raw, unfinished edges BUT those edges are neat and even and do not look as if they are on the point of fraying.
I would give the habit I received a D at best. I hope I just got a dud and they're not all like this.
[Images removed to be replaced when I find another hosting site]
On closer inspection, the braid on the sleeves IS sewn on. It just looks shoddy because the cuffs aren't turned up evenly and the edges look frayed. The braid is so stiff that it's hard to fix the uneven turn up.
Edited to consolidate posts.
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Post by QNPoohBear on Oct 28, 2008 20:32:18 GMT -5
Felicity's cardinal cloak is not finished either but the edges of that don't seem so untidy or look as if they would fray. It's not supposed to be. It's felted wool and just like the cloaks worn at that time. I'll check my PC riding habit and see what it looks like inside.
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Post by Dragonslovedolls on Nov 9, 2008 19:01:33 GMT -5
Thank you AGR and Robin... I do see your point about too much bulk if the seams of the jacket were doubled over. The seams on the skirt aren't doubled over though, just overlocked. I'm glad to know Felicity's cloak is made just as it would have been in those times: that still looks beautifully made because the edges are smooth... I don't think the jacket would look so 'unfinished' and I wouldn't complain if it had similarly smooth edges, but they're not. Everything else I've bought has been so nicely finished off that this feels like a big let-down.
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Post by horsemom on Jan 3, 2009 14:06:31 GMT -5
I now have the Mattel version and I didn't notice mine being as unfinished as the photo shown here. Maybe it was a bad run?
I had the PC version quite some time ago, and while the wool was (I think) higher quality, for some reason it attracted lint way more. I kind of like my new verison that is not quite as nice but stays relatively lint-free.
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Post by kenzie on Jan 17, 2009 20:42:34 GMT -5
Mattel
I just got this today and I was really disappointed with the fraying edges. I wish I would have read this review first. I would have definetly passed on this if I had. My daughter does love the "pirate" hat.
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Post by American Girl Rescue on Jan 21, 2009 10:22:16 GMT -5
Pre MattelMine is Pleasant Company and the jacket is not hemmed or finished on the inside either. I'm thinking it's because that would be so bulky and cumbersome to have that thick material doubled over to hide the raw edges. The gold braid is sewn on though. I give the outfit an A too even though it hard for Lissie to move her arms when she's wearing it.
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Post by Dragonslovedolls on Jan 30, 2009 17:15:40 GMT -5
Is the skirt folded under and stitched with a regular hem? That's the way it looks in the current catalog. Yes, it is...and overlocked, even.
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Post by Ms. Notorious on Feb 9, 2009 16:25:38 GMT -5
Pre Mattel
I just got mine last week and it's stunning. VERY well done.
ETA an actual review since Lissie is wearing hers at the moment. I feel inspired.
This is quite possibly one of my favorite outfits for Felicity. The color looks amazing on her, the outfit really epitomizes the time (for me at least), and the detail is lovely. Mine is real wool, which I prefer for quality and looks. The only downside is that I have to stuff Felicity into the skirt, which I find odd since both the doll and the dress are PC. You can't see it because the jacket overlaps the band of the skirt, but if I actually played with my doll, the velcro popping off would probably be a problem.
I don't have any problems with frayed edges or anything coming undone. The feather in the hat, however, is very delicate and is starting to break apart. I have to be very careful when handling it, which is fine for collectors, but not so much if you're giving this to a smaller child to play with.
Grade: A- for the hat and small sizing issues. Otherwise, it would be an A+.
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Post by zeemeems on Jul 18, 2009 23:28:47 GMT -5
I have the Mattel version and it's gorgeous. For $28, it's quite the deal. It matches perfectly with the trunk (which *sob* I foolishly sold). I can see the criticism with the fraying edges, but I think the quality is still exceptional for the price. Compared to Elizabeth's Riding Outfit. I'm sorry the picture is blurry. I'll try to get a better one eventually.
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Post by LissieAB on Sept 29, 2009 22:49:58 GMT -5
Mattel
This dress is nice. Not a favorite but not a least favorite, either. I like it's significance in the books.
I was surprised to see that the newer version is felt and not wool, but it didn't bother me too much. I don't like how the ends aren't finished - it is annoying and a little unattractive. And the green in the middle is very, very bright. I'm not so sure I like that. But it is a nice piece, anyway. Mine is a 2009 version and it fits my 2009 Felicity very well.
And the hat is very nice. I like the gold piping and the little feathers. It is just as sturdy and nice as the hat that comes with the riding breeches, only a little more elaborate. It stays on doll's heads very nicely, just like the riding breeches hat.
So: Riding outfit: B+ In conclusion, this is a nice, solid piece but not without flaws.
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Post by samlizziesmom on Nov 27, 2009 3:23:33 GMT -5
Not quite sure which of the Habit threads to post my review, seeing as I have a spliced set; the Skirt is PM but the jacket is Mattel. First off the Mattel Jacket: It fits my PM Felicity surprisingly easy compared to her Gala Gown. The jacket is made from a felt like material to avoid allergies to real wool (which I kinda understand, being as wool doesn't agree me.). Not sure about any unfinished seams, as I have read, and Lissie appears to move easily with the jacket. Now to the PM Skirt: I LOVE this skirt! It has a PC tag and is made of wool, but it doesn't bother me as much as I would have anticipated. I'm thinking it's a wool blend, as that would not start my skin to itch. I love how there are tabs that Velcro on the sides to close the skirt, the "hole" caused by the tabs is the spot for her pocket. Sadly, I do not have the hat. The only negative thing I found was a very slight discoloration between the PM and M items. But it is barely noticeable IMHO. Overall, I am very pleased with my buy! I really think that if you buy a Felicity doll, this should be the next item you buy! For *my* set I give it an A. <broken image links removed>
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Post by ladoyle on Oct 6, 2010 9:06:31 GMT -5
As I see pictures of Felicity in her riding habit, I see varying types of feathers used in her hat. My set has a small, hard to see feather, actually two feathers, which cannot be seen when viewed from the front of the hat. However, on other pictures of Felicity, I see almost a fluffy plume type of feather that sticks out from the hat itself. My hat came from Ebay, so that means maybe something came off of it, or have they changed the style of feathers used in the hat itself? Have any of you added a feather or two to the hat?
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mermaid
Bitty Baby
BANNED for multiple Rules violations & persistant rudeness to Moderating Team
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Post by mermaid on Oct 6, 2010 9:23:31 GMT -5
I got mine on eBay too, it was one of the older, if not the oldest, version. It has 4 longer feathers that swoop to the back, kind of varigated in color although one is definitely a little larger feather than the other 3. But in front of those 4 feathers is a very small, fluffy whitish feather that covers the base of the others. I don't see why you couldn't add some proportionately sized feathers or a nice fluffy one to yours? Anyone else agree??
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Post by seejoansew on Oct 6, 2010 10:29:05 GMT -5
My first riding habit came second hand and was missing the feathers. I really wasn't sure what the original feathers were supposed to look like since I hadn't seen one up close and personal. So I decided to sew some feathers on the way I thought they should be. That's the hat you see in my signature picture.
I just bought my second riding habit, direct from the store and it has the 2 small feathers near the back of the hat that you speak of. It was very disappointing. Needless to say, I will be adding some long swooping feathers to this hat!
I absolutely love my first hat with that fluffy plume of feathers. Would you believe that hat arrived turned completely inside out? I didn't think that was possible! It took me forever to figure out why it looked so funny.
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Post by Aaryana on Oct 6, 2010 10:41:16 GMT -5
Mine has smaller feathers. It was purchased a few weeks ago direct from AG.
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Post by Captain Syd on Oct 6, 2010 10:44:39 GMT -5
I've got two... One that I've had since I was little that has a bunch of little feather stubblies cause the cat ate them off, and a newish, mattel one. The new one came in a lot on eBay, but it has about four pretty good sized feathers on it. They stick up away from the hat quite a bit.
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Post by QNPoohBear on Dec 9, 2010 14:34:26 GMT -5
I had a chance to examine and compare the two riding habits. The current version is felt and not wool. It's thinner, a duller green and the waistcoat isn't as shiny. It didn't look as unfinished as dragonlovesdolls' photo. It seemed like a nice piece if you don't have/can't afford the original.
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starwenn
American Girl Prototype
Posts: 4,694
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Post by starwenn on Dec 27, 2010 21:14:40 GMT -5
I received the Mattel Riding Habit from my mother for Christmas. (Good thing she got it early, well before it sold out on AG's website!) My Felicity desperately needed winter clothes.
While the fabric is a little thin, it still looks nice and warm, and is a lovely emerald color. Yes, the edges are unfinished, but my dolls don't see a lot of rough play, so that shouldn't be a problem. The jacket is very tight; it took a little struggling to get it on Felicity over her shift. The hat is nice, with pretty braiding and a good-sized feather.
Overall, I really love it. It's very true to the period and to Felicity's stories and her tomboyish personality.
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Post by skukla on Dec 31, 2010 14:29:19 GMT -5
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