|
|
Post by samlizziesmom on Apr 3, 2022 9:07:24 GMT -5
I thought I would add how this outfit pairs with the Easter accessories from Melody's collection. This is honestly one of the best outfits for Molly, even though she's not much of a girly-girl. It's a perfect Spring/Easter dress for her closet. If you are lucky enough to find this, grab it!  |
|
|
|
Post by samlizziesmom on Apr 1, 2022 3:35:32 GMT -5
Never hurts to have more pictures. I bought mine off ebay recently, and finally completed all of Saige's wardrobe. These are really cute and as long as you are not doing too much, the slippers are actually pretty strudy without the back elastic. But since this will be used fot adult play, I dont see a need to use them. This set runs about $30 now on the secondary, but I do definitely agree this a really cute PJ set... Grade: A  |
|
|
|
Post by chernayakoshka on Mar 30, 2022 23:06:55 GMT -5
Jacket: A-This smart jacket is made of stiff, white fabric with a burgundy and green flower and vine print. The print is simple in design, yet provides just the right amount of visual diversity to the more solid skirt – it’s a very flattering pattern. The cut is equally flattering, with a peplum around the bottom to emphasize the doll’s form. The neckline and sleeves are trimmed with white ruffles. The jacket is lined with white fabric, a lovely touch to round out a sturdily designed garment. The jacket opens fully in the front with a lace-up closure. The holes are reinforced with grommets, so you don’t need to worry about the fabric fraying. The lace itself is burgundy – matching the flowers in colour – and is made of a silky material. The ends are caped off with aglets to prevent fraying. It’s a lovely look, if not the easiest thing to actually get on the doll. Really, I love the way this jacket looks and the historical lacing detail, but I do wish the process of dressing the doll was just a little less cumbersome. The fit of the jacket is fine. It’s quite difficult to get it to close cleanly over the doll’s shift. Marya is wearing her colonial undergarments, which kept the shift flattened down, but added a bit of bulk overall. Keeping the lacing tight so none of the shift or undergarments show through is quite a task (and I never completely succeeded). My sister had this outfit when we were kids and I specifically remember both of us being frustrated with lacing it up, so it was rarely used. It looks lovely once it’s on, but it’s definitely a chore to get it there.  Front. It's worth noting that I had the lacing laced the wrong way in this photo.  Back. I really love the peplum. Skirt: A+The skirt is made of a heavy burgundy brocade-like fabric with a subtle floral print woven into the fabric (and when I say subtle, I mean it…it’s the same colour as the skirt and only barely shows up in photos). It opens on either side with Velcro to easily slide over the doll’s head or feet (whichever is your preferred way of dressing). It’s very roomy in fit and, like many of Felicity’s clothes from this era, seems designed to fit the colonial undergarments underneath it. Admittedly, it’s a tad tight around the waist with the undergarments, but not prohibitively so. It looks lovely with the jacket.  The skirt. You can sort of see the print here.  Demonstrating how it opens. Good Value?This was available for practically the entirety of Felicity’s initial run. It varied in price over the years, research saying that it went from $18 to $24 during its availability. It seems to go for a pretty penny on the secondary market now. I got mine as a package deal with the Windsor Chair, Felicity’s Tea Lesson, and the Reading and Writing Lesson back in 2018 for $125, and I’m pretty pleased with that. Even without the mob cap that the outfit is meant to come with, I’m satisfied with the outfit and what I paid for it. As I mentioned earlier, my sister had this set when we were kids, so my parents clearly thought it was a decent value (they didn’t buy just anything from AG). Would I recommend paying current secondary market prices for it? Eh, I guess it depends on how much you like it as a unique outfit. Frankly, I think it’s generally overpriced for a jacket and skirt (the mob cap can easily be swapped out for one of Felicity’s other caps, like I have), but if you find a deal for it…then have at it! Overall: AThis is a very flattering, smart ensemble. Even when I was a kid, I admired the cut and fit of the jacket and the rich colouring of the skirt. As an adult, I’m very pleased to have a set of my own to enjoy. The jacket is kind of a pain to get on the doll, but the outfit looks nice enough that I’m not terribly bothered by the effort…though I admit that I might feel differently if I was intending to play with Marya instead of just having her look pretty for a few months. If you’re interested in Felicity or colonial attire, I’d say this is a must have. The styling feels very authentic and, however cumbersome, I do rather love that it laces up instead of using Velcro. Plus, I have yet to see a doll that it doesn’t look amazing on. It’s just a lovely, classic outfit that anyone interested in this period should own.  Marya looking very sharp and ready for a reading lesson...or some tea. Probably some tea.
|
|
|
|
Post by chernayakoshka on Mar 30, 2022 12:35:49 GMT -5
  Dress: A+A dark blue sleeveless dress with a spandex torso and mesh skirt with side slit. The torso features foil stars in varying sizes that catch the light in varying degrees of silver (they are all the same colour, they just catch at different intensities as the dress moves). Silver, sparkly elastic straps crisscross across the front to create an asymmetrical look that spans from both shoulders down the front (but not onto the back). The left “sleeve” is made of the same blue and star material as the torso while the right one is just the silver straps. While I personally wish there was a little more fabric here (I like sleeves…), this does look accurate to what figure skaters are wearing, so I can’t complain too much. The asymmetry is fun and I love the way the skirt swishes and moves! It has one of those stupid, plastic tag that AG insists on putting on the front of all their outfits. I won’t ding the dress for it, but I’ll always mention it (slash complain about it…) until they figure out a different way to tag their clothing. The dress opens partially in the dress with non-snagging Velcro (thank God…snagging Velcro would have done a heck of a number on this material). I was initially concerned as I worked the dress over Blaire’s hips that the dress would be too tight, but it ended up having plenty of stretch while still set well for a close fit (but not too tight). That being said, I could see the chubbier PC girls struggling with this one. On Blaire, it had no issues closing and looks, I think, pretty good! The skirt drops to a very flattering length.  Front.  Back (I'm glad the stars carry over to the back).  This tag lives rent-free in my head.  On Blaire. Skates: A+White, vinyl skates with white, elastic ties. They have black soles and silver metal (or really heavy plastic – I have to admit that I can’t really tell). In overall look, they’re very similar to other ice skates that American Girl has included with their sets, save for “Team USA” printed in silver on the right skate. I think this is a nice touch and helps this pair stand out from others. I have to admit that I was skeptical of the elastic laces (I have a certain nostalgic love of the old laces, even if they were sometimes difficult to tie), but the skates slid (or, rather wiggled) on almost effortlessly. They fit Blaire well, thought I’m not sure the wider PC feet would fit quite as nicely (if at all). Like with almost all ice skates, it can take a moment to balance the doll and you have to be careful about knocking her since her overall balance is a bit shaky, but if your doll has tight limbs, standing shouldn’t be that difficult. I have noticed that Blaire’s weight seems to settle more to the back of these than I’ve noticed with other ice skates that I’ve had in the past.   On Blair. She stands pretty well in them.  But I did note that her weight rests on the back of the skates. No amount of repositioning changed that. Skate Guards: A+Dark blue, rubber skate guards infused with silver glitter. They slide easily over the ice skate blades so Blaire can keep them protected when she puts them up. They also help the doll balance on the ice skates, so it might be worth leaving them on if you’re worried about your poor doll taking a tumble.  I'm quite a fan of the glitter.  Balance is greatly improved with them on (though I don't advise Blair to try skating this way). Hair Clip: A+Ok, so it’s just a couple of plastic, sparkly silver stars attached to a simple black clip, but as someone who really sucks at doing hair, I personally love these simple hair accessories. It works exactly like you’d think: just clip it into a small section of hair! (Your enjoyment of this accessory will vary depending on how much you like more complicated hair accessories).  Simple, but I love it!  I think the idea is to put the doll's hair up first and use this as an accessory to that, but I tend to leave Blaire's hair down (because I'm terrible at doll hair and don't want to mess with the curls), so I'm happy with it being used like this. Good Value?Honestly, if not for the Team USA tie-in, I likely wouldn’t have purchased this…at least not for full price. It’s $35 direct from American Girl, which is standard for an outfit at present, though this one falls into the category of just not coming with quite enough for me to normally justify that price. All bets are off when it comes to the Olympics, though, which I think AG was probably counting on :-P. The pieces are nicely made, so if I was going to pay too much for an outfit, it’s at least a good quality one to do so for. And I’m sure this will skyrocket in price on the secondary market, so I’m not going to complain for getting it for retail price. Overall: A+This is an elegant, well-made figure dancing dress that feels and looks authentic (at least to this untrained eye!). The deep blue and silver are a nice departure from AG’s traditionally lighter colour palette, and, yes, I really like the Team USA tie-in. The detailing on the dress is great without being too much and it looks absolutely lovely on Blaire. The price may be a bit high for what you get, but if you’re into the Olympics connection, it’s definitely worth getting while it’s available (and if you’re thinking about it, go get it now – the AGP Columbus had none when I went to get it in mid-January and had to order it for me, and they still had none when I went back a week later). I’ll be happy to use it for winters to come!  Please don't skate on my counter, Blaire. |
|
|
|
Post by chernayakoshka on Mar 29, 2022 15:41:53 GMT -5
 Breezers: A+These shorts are made of black nylon with a red, faux-lace-up tie in the front. They have what feels like padding on the side of either leg. I’ll admit here that I know nothing about hockey attire, but it seems like this would be useful for protecting Nia’s legs from errant pucks! The waist is elastic and has enough stretch to easily slide over the doll’s legs. Nia is a chubby PC girl and they fit her fine.  Front. I really like the tie crossing in the front - again, I don't know if it's realistic, but it looks cool!  The back. You can see the padding a lot clearer here.  On Nia. Shoulder Pads: A+Oooh, I love pieces like this! These are made of a stiff, padded material and, while I have no experience with the real life version of these, look and seem to be constructed just like the real thing. They’re made of four pieces pieced together: a front piece, a back piece, and two shoulder pads. It opens at the left shoulder seam with Velcro and also features Velcro straps on each side and around each arm to hold it in place. I may not have experience with hockey gear, but I have made cosplay armour and this is very similar to how I construct that, so it seems very practical! The flexibility in the shoulders is really impressive. It also has enough padding to at least feel like it would serve as a decent buffer against another hockey player or a wall, depending on how much into the fray Nia throws herself.  The front.  Demonstrating how it opens.  How it all goes on the doll.  And from the back. I really love the shoulder pads' flexibility! Elbow Pads: A+The base of these is made from red, flexible plastic with a white centre featuring a stamped star and raised dots. Thick, white elastic with Velcro closures is run through the plastic to hold the pads onto the doll’s arms. These are shaped like standard AG elbow pads and seem pretty sturdy. I like these – they feel like they’d do the job and they stay on Nia’s arms just fine!  Simple, but practical.  They're easy to put on and stay in place. Jersey: A+This is made of breathable jersey material. It’s primarily white with a thick, blue stripe across the bottom and sleeves and a thinner red stripe over the blue on the torso. The word “Stars” is printed in blue across the front with red and blue stars above it. The V-neck is trimmed in red. The sleeves are full length and go to the doll’s wrists. AG has put one of their ugly plastic tags on the front left of this, but I won’t count it against the outfit. It opens fully in the back with non-stick Velcro for easy dressing. There’s plenty of room for it to fit over the shoulder and elbow pads, even on a thicker doll. It fits great! Honestly, with so many of AG’s recent offerings being super tight and offering very little wiggle room, I’m very, very impressed with this!  Front.  Back.  There's plenty of room even when it's put over the padding. Shin Guards A+They’re just moulded plastic that snap onto the doll’s leg, but I can’t find it in myself to really complain about these. They feature a star in the centre, various lines crossing the guards, and three dots on the bottom. While normal guards are likely made from a different material and have straps, I can appreciate AG’s method to make them a little easier to put on and a little less bulky (this is the same sort of design used on the Team USA Soccer Set shin guards). They snap easily onto the doll’s legs and go up to her knees. Nia’s legs are perfectly encased!  The design might be hard to see, but it's there!  The design is clearer here. I'd definitely feel protected in these. Socks: A+These are…interesting. They’re a typical pair of thick, knitted AG socks in white with a thick blue stripe sandwiched between two thin red stripes...except they have no foot. Google tells me that this is accurate, so I’m running with it! Good on AG for this accuracy! They slide easily over the shin guards and have plenty of stretch, so they fit and will stay up.  Some very nice fabric tubes.  Perfectly covering the shin guards. Skates: A+From the start, I love how different these are from AG’s typical figure dancing skates. The boot is black faux leather with a grey design on each skate’s outer side. The ties are white (and they actually tie…unlike the other current skates). The white plastic base and silver plastic blade are very heavy and sturdy. They look just like a pair of hockey skates (to this untrained eye!). They’re super easy to slide on and tie, especially since the socks don’t cover the foot. If your doll has tight limbs, she’ll balance just fine.  Super cool skates.  No issues with the "socks" at all.  Comparison to the Team USA Figure Dancing Set skates. I appreciate the variety. Skate Guards: A+Just a pair of flexible, rubbery skate guards. These ones are red with silver sparkles. They fit over the blades and aid in balance. Nothing to complain about here!  I do appreciate the sparkles.  I tend to leave skate guards on to help the doll balance while being displayed. Gloves: ABlack, padded gloves with a Pleather, white palm. These look like real hockey gloves, in as much as AG can accomplish that (they’re more like mitts and have no articulated fingers, though the finger shape is sewn into the padded back). Each one has a clear loop to, I assume, hold the stick in place. They’re pretty difficult to get on, but not impossible. I swore a few times 😉. I imagine that a kid would have a hard time getting them on the doll’s hands.   Definitely some of the more difficult gloves I've put on a doll of late. Helmet: A-I find the lack of padding disturbing. This is primarily made of thick, sturdy red plastic. The cage is made of hard silver plastic. There’s a soft, leathery chin guard held in place with nylon strapping inside the cage. The fastening is Velcro on nylon strapping and secures under the doll’s chin. There’s a star embossed on each side of the helmet and “American Girl” stamped into the back. The cage opens via Velcro and a hinge at the top to make it easier to put on the doll’s head. If I’m going to be honest, I don’t love the way this looks. The helmets that come with the Team USA winter Olympics sets look fantastic and are easy to get on, but this one is difficult to put on (especially if your doll has thick hair like Nia) and looks a bit large and awkward once in place.  Front.  From the side.  "American Girl" stamped on the back.  With the face cage open.  And on Nia. Hockey Stick: AMade of durable, blue plastic with black stripes on the handle and a star at the base. “American Girl” is printed on the handle in white. The design is the same on either side. It does fit through the loops in the gloves, though I feel like the doll’s hold is sort of awkward (I also knocked a glove off while I was trying to figure out the posing, and given how difficult the gloves are to get on, that wasn’t something I was exactly thrilled about…).  One hockey stick, what you see is what you get!  Being held. Don't come after me if I positioned it wrong, please! Tape: A+It’s a roll of red tape on a white roller. The box advertises that this can be used to wrap the hockey stick. I don’t doubt it, but I’m also too nervous to do it myself right now, so I’m going to leave it on the roll. I peeled a bit off and can confirm that it feels and sticks like tape.  A tiny roll of tape. Puck: A-It’s a plastic puck. Right shape, wrong material. There’s a white star and white circle on the top of the puck. I wish it was more rubbery instead of being hard plastic.  Net: B-Easily my least-favourite part of the set. It’s difficult to put together, impossible to adjust once it’s together, and super out of scale when put next to the doll. It doesn’t even reach the doll’s rear. Even as someone who hasn’t seen much hockey, I can tell that this is way too short. I’d rather AG not have included this at all!  There was a lot of sighing and mumbled cursing leading up to this thing finally getting together.  Way too short to be accurate. Bag: AA square, black nylon back with silver straps and “American Girl” and “Stars” in red, blue, and white with four stars printed on the side. There’s a zipper in the top for easy packing. The net does not fit (I broke it down and tried), but I imagine that the other pieces would. I’ve only taken off a point because I wish the net fit. That would have made for super easy storage.  Not bad! I just wish the net also fit...or, you know, AG had left out the net altogether. Either one. PamphletsI’m not going to grade these, but I wanted to mention them. One has instructions for putting the net together (which I didn’t see until after I’d muddled through it). The other has a little quiz to determine which spot you fill on a team and images of AG other athletic outfit offerings. Nothing super special.  Instructions that I totally missed until after I'd put the net together.    Good Value?This retails direct from AG for $75, which I think is very fair given the number of pieces included and their quality. Overall: AThis isn’t a perfect set – especially with the tiny net – but I’m so happy that AG finally stretched beyond figure skating, skiing, and snowboarding. This is a lovely, practical, sporty outfit for a non-girly doll (just like Nia, who’s happy to take to the ice and throw some boys through the glass!) and I love that AG took the plunge and made something like this. There are a tonne of pieces included and most of them are very well made (with the others being above average). I’m so happy to have finally bough this! Maybe someday, I’ll actually wrap the hockey stick. For now, Nia will enjoy her outfit as it currently is.  |
|
|
|
Post by chernayakoshka on Mar 28, 2022 22:20:58 GMT -5
 Socks: AJust a pair of classic, dark blue socks! They aren’t quite as thick as I’d like for spending a lot of time outdoors in winter, but they’re sturdy and well-made. They slide on easily and stay on the doll’s legs. I recommend putting these on before you put on the racing suit.  Comfy blue socks!  Keeping Hekla's legs warm. Suit: A+This is a one-piece suit made of spandex with an attractive gradient of red, white, and blue. Stars and ribbons are patterned across the centre of the suit. “Team USA” is stamped in white on the right thigh and an American flag over the Olympic rings adorns the left shoulder. The back does not have the patterning, but it does feature the colour gradient. I really like the colouring and sleek look to this! It certainly doesn’t look very warm, but I somehow doubt that’s the main concern 😉 It opens partway down the front with a zipper, which glides smoothly. Actually getting it on is…a bit of a challenge, to say the least! It’s designed to be tight, and while the spandex gives it plenty of stretch, the process of pulling it onto the doll takes a bit of work. It’s not quite as bad as, say, the Black Cat costume from 1998 since it has more stretch than that one, but it’s also not easy. Once you get your doll manoeuvred in, though, it fits fine and doesn’t look strained, though make no mistake that this is meant to be tight! You can clearly see the outline of the socks and the doll’s leg sockets. Hekla is clearly going commando right now because underwear would also show through. I don’t really see this as a flaw of the outfit since, again, I think this is how it’s meant to fit and I don’t know how else AG would achieve the look without it being so tight. I was also surprised by how well it fit Hekla, who was created from an early Kit base, making her significantly chubbier than the current dolls. The plastic tag that AG puts on everything is on the hem of the right sleeve this time. Oddly, I don’t hate this as much as I hate it sewn onto the front of a garment…possibly because I know it will be covered up by the gloves.  Front of the suit.  Back of the suit.  On Hekla. It's definitely a tight fit - I don't recommend putting it on any bashful dolls!  USA Flag and Olympic Ring detailing.  Plastic tag. Gloves: A+These are made of real glove material and feature a red background with a white strip in the middle and a blue star. The inside appears to be lined with fleece, so nice and warm for holding on to her poles! I love doll items that are tiny versions of the real thing!  A little pair of gloves!  They look warm and comfy. Boots: AThese big, plastic boots are designed to fit into the doll’s skis. The outside is made of hard white plastic while the inside is softer, more malleable red plastic. A strap around the outside holds them in place. I’m honestly not the biggest fan of the shiny plastic used on the outside of these, nor that “American Girl” is stamped on the back in red. What I do love is the attention to detail, specifically the flexibility points that allow the boot to open up when the straps are undone. Getting them on takes a bit of pushing and finagling – the key is loosening the straps as much as possible. Hekla stands really well in them; they’re great for getting the doll to balance!  Boots.  They help Hekla stand like a pro! Helmet: A+This sturdy helmet is made primarily of blue plastic. A “Team USA” logo is emblazoned across the front and left side features a white starbust pattern and the words “Team USA.” The inside is patterned like white Styrofoam, though it’s actually just plastic. The earflaps are a bit squishier and were moulded as a separate piece from the helmet, so they have a bit of flexibility. The chinstrap is made of red elastic with a dark blue clip and adjustable chin guard. The helmet also has a clip in the back to secure around the goggles. On the whole, this is a wonderfully detailed piece! It might even be my favourite part of the set for how much thought went into it. The helmet is incredibly easy to put on the doll and has a decent amount of room without being loose. I was definitely preparing to have to fight with it, but the clip is easy to use, the elastic has plenty of give, and it sits on Hekla’s head just right. Seriously, I LOVE this thing!  Helmet head-on.  The starburst and "Team USA" detail.  A closeup of the earflaps and the inside of the helmet.  The back with its useful strap.  On Hekla. She insisted on her braid hanging in front. Something about it being a signature thing...  A close-up of the strapping and how it all holds together once on the doll. Goggles: A+These are made of sturdy red plastic on the outside and a somewhat softer dark blue plastic on the inside. I was very impressed that these are actually two pieces bolted together and not one continuously moulded piece. The “glass” is made of thick plastic. The elastic band is thick with a dark blue background and “American Girl” printed in white. They look like perfectly acceptable, functional goggles! They fit easily over the helmet due to their stretch. The nifty clip at the back of the helmet allows them to be clipped in place to stay put as your doll hurtles down the hill. They can rest either atop the helmet or be slid down over the doll’s eyes.  Possibly the nicest goggles that AG has ever made.  Another angle.  Sitting atop the helmet.  That strap on the back is super useful!  Hekla has secured them in place and is ready to go! Skis: A-They’re about what you’d expect from skis. They’re made of thick, light plastic with red, white, and blue star designs decaled over the top. The bindings are made of study red plastic with the back one having a little flexibility for getting the boot in place. Honestly, I’m not the biggest fan of how plasticky these feel and don’t recall the skis from the early 2000s feeling quite this, well, cheap. I’m fine with them being made of plastic, but wish they just felt slightly less plasticky. They’re surprisingly easy to slide the boots into (I was expecting a fight given my experiences with other ski sets over the years). The doll stands well in them and the skis stay on once they’re on. To me, the skis look a little short, but I’m not very knowledgeable about skiing, so I could be totally off-base there.  Patriotic skis!  Skis on. Poles: BPlastic ski poles with flat, round ends (I’m sure there’s a word for this sort of pole, but I definitely don’t know it!). The base of the pole is made of blue-fading-into-white plastic with the pole itself tapering as it nears the bottom. Both the bottom disks and the handles are plastic. I don’t really have a lot to say about them beyond wishing they weren’t so plasticky, similar to my complaint with the skis. Those awesome gloves that I talked about above make the doll’s hand too bulky to easily hold onto the poles. You can squeeze them over the glove and they’ll stay in a stationary position well enough, but I wouldn’t expect them to stay in place for any sort of play. Nice idea, but needed a little more thought to the execution (like, I think, pretty much every ski set I’ve encountered across every doll line).  I do like how colourful they are.  Good Value?The set retails for $75, which I think is fair given everything the set comes with (and the awesomeness of the helmet and goggles). Most of the pieces are well made, they feel authentic, and the tie-in to Team USA is certainly a draw to up the price a bit. My sister got me this for Christmas and while my mum balked at the price, my sister said that she was comfortable with it given all the pieces and the “cool” factor of the outfit (and the average price of outfits in general). Overall: A+This is a nice, detailed set with a lot of pieces and some patriotic, pleasing colouring to celebrate Team USA. Or, if that’s not so much your thing, it has everything your doll needs to enjoy some alpine skiing and look good while doing it! My sister said that it was on the top of her list for me because she felt that Hekla needed it, given that she’s my winter sports/outdoor sports enthusiast doll and a lot of AG’s offerings have fallen flat for me on that front over the last decade or so. This isn’t just a pretty set, it looks functional and like it belongs to a doll that’s very serious about alpine skiing and I love it when AG makes some good, practical sports sets. I think this will be a favourite around here…especially for Hekla.  Desperately looking for a slope... |
|
|
|
Post by chernayakoshka on Mar 27, 2022 13:51:32 GMT -5
 Socks: AJust a pair of classic, light blue socks! They aren’t quite as thick as I’d like for spending a lot of time outdoors in winter, but they’re sturdy and well-made. They slid on easily and stay on the doll’s legs.  A nice pair of socks!  They actually go decently far up Luciana's legs. Pants: AThese feel like a real pair of snow pants! They’re made of a white, waterproof-feeling fabric (perhaps nylon?) and are lined with a warm, fleecy material. “Team USA” is stamped in dark blue on the left thigh. They’re sure to keep Luciana’s legs warm as she hits the slopes! They open in the front with non-stick Velcro and go on like any other pair of pants. It’s a bit of a struggle to get them on and I was really surprised at how tight they ended up being. Luciana isn’t an old doll in the slightest and it was tough to get them closed on her. There’s no hope of this going on a PC doll or even an early AG one. They look nice once on, but there’s not a lot of room in there.   My attempt and showing the lining.  Coat: A+Much like the pants, this feels like a real coat and is made of the same waterproof material (maybe nylon) that real winter coats are made of. Also like the pants, they’re lined with fleecy fabric, though the coat’s lining is light blue. The shell is light blue, dark blue, red, and white in a geometric design reminiscent of mountains. A Team USA logo adourns the upper right front. It feels like it would be warm, but lightweight and functional enough to give Luciana the flexibility she’ll need to pull off some sick moves. The plastic tag that AG uses to brand its clothes is sewn onto the front. It’s less noticeable here than on some other garments (possibly due to the busy pattern), but I’ll never be a fan of the tag. It opens fully in the front with non-stick Velcro for easy dressing and slides on easily enough. The lining can get stuck on the doll’s hands, but it’s not to difficult to get the coat on. Also like the pants, the coat is a tight fit, though I didn’t have as much trouble velcroing it as I did the pants. I’m not sure if you’d be able to fit a shirt under here or not, which doesn’t bother me overmuch, but I could see that being a negative to some. I was pleasantly surprised to find that the hood will actually fit over the doll’s head! A doll with thick hair likely won’t manage and even Luciana’s is a tight fit and bunches up a bit in front, but the hood will go up, which I definitely wasn’t expecting.  I love how colouful it is!  It looks nice with the pants.  Hood up from the side.  And from the front. Emo/goth teenaged-me would have been very impressed by now nicely Luciana's bangs covering her eyes. Gloves: A+These are made of real, red glove material and appear to be lined with white fleece, so I’m sure they’re nice and warm! I love doll items that are tiny versions of the real thing! They’re very easy to put on and stay well.   I appreciate that I didn't have to fight to tuck them under the coat's sleeves. Headband: AThis is just a light blue fleece tube that’s been sewn together – nothing too special. There’s a little bit of elastic around the seam, but I wish it had a little more stretch. I appreciate that AG did not give it a huge tag. Perhaps due to the lack of stretch, it’s not the easiest to get over and around the doll’s hair, but once you get it on, it stays in place and serves its purpose.  Nothing special, but it works!   It definitely does its job of keeping Luciana's long hair from blowing in her face. Boots: A+These are made of white Pleather with red toes, elastic laces, and stitching. The inside is lined with white fleece for warmth. These would be a totally unremarkable, if serviceable pair of boots if not for the soles. DO YOU SEE THAT?!?! In addition to having a lovely red outline and white base, the tread is patterned into a line of snowflakes! That’s so cool! What a lovely detail. They’re also surprisingly easy to put on, even if they take a bit of wiggling. With the elastic laces, I always expect the shoes to get hopelessly stuck on the socks, but that has yet to be the case.  I really can't get over the snowflakes on the bottom!  Looking stylish and serviceable. Helmet: A+ This is the same helmet design that used for the Alpine Skiing Set, but that’s a-ok by me because I loved that helmet! This sturdy helmet is made primarily of silver plastic. An American flag over the Olympic rings is stuck on the right side (it’s clearly a sticker…I do wish they’d gone with something a little more permanent feeling, but it’s not horrible). The inside is patterned like black Styrofoam, though it’s actually just plastic. The earflaps are a bit squishier and were moulded as a separate piece from the helmet, so they have a bit of flexibility. The chinstrap is made of red elastic with a dark blue clip and adjustable chin guard. The helmet also has a clip in the back to secure around the goggles. On the whole, this is a wonderfully detailed piece! It might even be my favourite part of the set for how much thought went into it. The helmet is incredibly easy to put on the doll and has a decent amount of room without being loose. I was definitely preparing to have to fight with it, but the clip is easy to use, the elastic has plenty of give, and it sits on Luciana’s head just right. There’s even room for the headband! To reiterate my thoughts from my Alpine Skiing Set review: Best. Helmet. Ever!  From the front, it looks kind of boring, but it's really quite cool!  Team USA, just in case you forget which team your doll is supposed to be skiing for.  Inside and the strap.  On Luciana.  From the side.  And the back. That strap serves a very useful purpose. Goggles: A+These are also the same design that was used in the Alpine Skiing Set, and like with the helmet, that’s perfectly fine because this is a great pair of goggles! These are made of sturdy silver plastic on the outside and a somewhat softer dark blue plastic on the inside. I was very impressed that these are actually two pieces bolted together and not one continuously moulded piece. The “glass” is made of thick plastic. The elastic band is thick with a dark blue background and “American Girl” printed in white. They look like perfectly acceptable, functional goggles! They fit easily over the helmet due to their stretch. The nifty clip at the back of the helmet allows them to be clipped in place to stay put as your doll hurtles down the hill. They can rest either atop the helmet or be slid down over the doll’s eyes.  Super awesome goggles.  Goggles up!  And down! (pardon the flash)  That strap on the back of the helmet is very useful! You can't have the goggles slipping around while trying to pull off flips and spins. Snowboard: AThis is a piece of plastic that’s shaped like a snowboard (and man, did that feel like a funny sentence to write). The plastic is fairly thin, yet the snowboard is sturdy and feels like it would hold up to play. There’s a decal over the top that says “Team USA” in red and otherwise features a red, light blue, dark blue, and white striped pattern and red stars. I’m honestly not a huge fan of how plasticky it feels, but I also don’t know how else AG could have made this, so I shouldn’t complain too much. The bindings are red and have a foot strap that can swivel up to lock the doll’s boot in place. I wouldn’t exactly call it easy to get the doll’s boots secured into the bindings, but once they’re in there, they aren’t going anywhere. Luciana took a face plant while I was taking photos and the board simply fell down with her – her feet didn’t so much as budge from the bindings, so they do their job! If your doll has tight limbs, she’ll balance well on the snowboard. Be aware that the doll will topple if you let her fall too far forward or back, but otherwise, the board is stable.  Front of the snowboard.  The bottom.  The bindings in action! Good Value?This retails for $75 directly from AG, and I’m sure it’ll go for more on the secondary market with the limited-edition element and Team USA tie-in. Given AG’s current prices for other outfits, the Olympics connection, the number of pieces this comes with, and their overall quality, I think this one is worth it. You get a pretty good bang for your buck. Overall: A+My complaints about the fit of the pants and coat aside, I really like this set a lot! It’s a sporty, practical snowboarding set with some really nice, well-made pieces and a fun Olympic theme. I personally love that it’s not super girly (sorry, AG, all the pinks and purples in your more recent athletic offerings just haven’t been doing it for me) and could also be worn by a boy doll...or just by a girl that’s not into super feminine colours and patterns. Having been a kid that wasn’t especially into what’s considered “girly” colours, patterns, and styles, I always appreciate AG offering something with a more practical design and neutral colour scheme. As a lover of the Olympics, I really dig the Team USA tie-in. Even in non-Olympic years, I see this set getting a lot of use in winter. It’s great!  Ready to hit the slopes!  Looking good! |
|
mamared
Lead Review Moderator 
Posts: 1,406
Feedback: Link
|
Post by mamared on Mar 21, 2022 1:05:38 GMT -5
‘Celebrate spring in a twirl-able skirt that dolls can wear everywhere. Designed in collaboration with LoveShackFancy to match the girl-sized version, this mixed-blooms skirt features LoveShackFancy’s Aegean Coast and Peony Garden prints, a smocked waistband, and a high-low hem with ruffle trim.” SKU#: HHB02 $20 I’m generally not a fan of high-low hemlines so initially I didn’t plan on getting this piece, before eventually deciding I might regret missing out on it. The prints on the skirt and ruffle are adorable; they match prints used in other pieces of the collection, as well as the overall pink, frilly, floral theme. The upper part of the skirt, made of the Peony Garden print, has a cute smocked waistband and a plain white lining. The lower part of the skirt is a substantial ruffle made with the Aegean Coast print. A plastic oval vanity tag is sewn on one side where the skirt meets the ruffle. Here are some close ups and photos from different angles showing it with other pieces of the collection:        The skirt comes in the mix-and-match packaging, which includes an AG x LSF hanger and suggestions of different outfits (below). I forgot to take a photo of the skirt’s label, but like others in the collection, it also marks the AG x LSF collaboration.  Overall, I think I’d give this skirt a B+. It’s cute, well made, and can be worn with several different outfits. I think it looks better than a lot of other skirts with high-low hemlines, but the style does still tend to date it, keeping it from a higher grade. |
|
mamared
Lead Review Moderator
Posts: 1,406
Feedback: Link
|
Post by mamared on Mar 21, 2022 0:07:49 GMT -5
 “These pretty pink lace sneakers, designed in collaboration with LoveShackFancy, will put a little “spring” in her step!” SKU#: HGY99 $16 These cute and well-made sneakers are a nice addition to the AG x LoveShackFancy collection. They’re covered in pink lacy fabric and have pink laces and white soles. The pink laces are no-tie elastic, threaded and permanently sewn into the metal grommets, making them easy to slip on and off for changes, while also staying securely on the dolls’ feet. I love having this easy and functional footwear in the collection, although personally I think the pink lace is a little much. On the other hand, everything in the collection is just a little “extra”, so they fit right in with the other pieces on that basis. My overall grade based on quality, functionality, playability, and appearance would probably be a B+. Here are some photos showing the different angles, the packaging, and how they coordinate with some outfits in the AG x LSF collection.         |
|
|
|
Post by Zab (Sam-Started-It) on Mar 17, 2022 21:17:11 GMT -5
I'm surprised this beauty has been out for 2 whole weeks with no reviews! I fell in love with this doll's design since she was first leaked a few weeks ago. I just knew she needed to join my doll army! She has the classic mold and standard brown eyes. Not so sure about calling her "medium" skintone, but maybe lightly tanned. She's definitely lighter than my 25 medium CYO and Maritza. With TM 55 for comparison. There's not much difference between their complexions. You can see that she has the plastic boots that have been used a lot lately too. Honestly, I don't mind them. My motor skills aren't the best and I can have issues tying tiny laces. Her dress is some sort of synthetic material but feels pretty nice. Kind of gauzy. The vest is a softer material than expected  Of course, her biggest feature is her wig. It's pretty thick, especially by colorful haired AG standards. I was also pleasantly surprised to see just how many colors are in it! Aside from the blue, black, and purple, we also have bits of magenta and teal! The teal is a perfect match for Corinne!   |
|
mamared
Lead Review Moderator
Posts: 1,406
Feedback: Link
|
Post by mamared on Mar 13, 2022 17:48:19 GMT -5
This outfit was available for preorder in 2021, and was available for purchase from March 2022 until it retired later that year. “Racing stripes are the perfect detail for Maritza’s “need for speed” personality. In this outfit created by Harlem’s Fashion Row® designer Kristian Lorén, she can be a standout star on the soccer field, at The Community Center, or at school. It includes: A blue mesh cropped mock turtleneck top with long raglan sleeves, a mock drawstring tie, and contrast neon-green detail on the arms A pair of mesh pants with contrasting neon-green detail and patch pockets on the legs A pair of white tennis shoes with neon highlighter soles” SKU#: HJB87 $36 I initially brought this home for Joss, who has a similar color palette and sporty vibe, but my early release Josefina decided to try it on first. It’s nice to find another outfit that can fit the large-bodied PM dolls so well!  Although the fabric is described as “mesh”, it’s not an open weave. It’s made of a lightweight, thin, synthetic material, and the different weave of the “mesh” appears as slightly darker dots. I really like the vibrant color and the drape of the fabric, which is especially important since it’s such a loose style. (Sorry that the Josefina photos are kind of dimly lit. The vibrant color of this closeup, and the later Joss photos, are more true to life.)  There are mock drawstring ties sewn onto both the waistline of the pants and the front of the mock turtleneck. The ties are made of a blue cord that matches the color of the fabric and is knotted on both ends. Although the drawstrings are faux, the stitching and gathers around them make them appear more functional.  The top closes with a single strip of Velcro up the back, while the pants pull on and have an elastic waist. The top sleeves and pants legs both hang loosely, sans cuffs.  The neon stripes down the sides of the sleeves and pants are made of a wide grosgrain ribbon. The color is sort of a neon/highlighter yellow, with a hint of green.  The stripes extend all the way to the bottom of the pants and are broken only by the pockets. The patch pockets are actually sewn over the stripes, so when you open the flap you can see the stripe inside the pocket. They are real functional pockets, not faux.  The white shoes have thick highlighter soles that almost seem to glow in real life. I think they’re kind of a snazzy complement to the outfit, lol, and they also help add height, which can be helpful with the long pants. I like that they’re no-tie, but the actual construction seems to be a lesser quality than many AG sneakers, as just a single, rather thin, unreinforced layer of material goes around the back of the heel; I wonder how well this will hold up to play and frequent shoe changes.     Overall, I really like the carefree look and the fit of this outfit, and I’m pleasantly surprised that it can also fit the large older dolls. I do notice the top seems to be more cropped on my Josefina and Joss than it is on stock photos of Maritza; her photos barely show any belly between the two pieces, whereas the gap on my dolls is more apparent. It doesn’t bother me here, but it’s worth noting if this is something that might bother you.  I also wanted to show a photo of the inside of the top with the label and one of the back of the box. I think the collaboration with Harlem’s Fashion Row is pretty cool, and I like that information about the designer, Kristian Lorén, is printed on the box. However, I wish there was some kind of special designer label on the clothing, or even a HFR x AG label, to note the collaboration. It may be a little thing, but it feels like a miss to me.   All in all, there’s a lot to like about the outfit (color, overall fit and construction, sporty and fashion-forward vibe) and a few things I’d probably change (the label, shoe construction, and possibly mix-and-match potential). In regards to the mix-and-match potential, I don’t have Maritza’s Camo Combo Outfit and I’ll be interested to see any photos that pair up pieces from these two together. As I noted before, I picked this outfit up for Joss, so I’m including some of those outfit combos below, but it feels just a little more limited than I hoped for. I still love the Neon Stripe Outfit by itself, and with all of this in mind, I’d probably rate the full price item at a B, and a bit higher if purchased at a discount and/or if the Camo Combo Outfit pieces yield some good mixing results. Here are some photos showing Joss mixing pieces of the Neon Stripe Outfit with pieces from her Cheer Practice Outfit.   The blues don’t quite match but I think they work okay together. The neon yellow/greens also look okay together without being too matchy-matchy. (And the stretchy headband, an accommodation to help keep Joss’s hearing aid from falling out in her stories, could also be used if someone decides to use a hearing aid with Maritza.)  One more, this time with the shirt from Joss’s Beach Jumper. 
|
|
|
|
Post by samlizziesmom on Mar 12, 2022 2:29:45 GMT -5
Grace's Sightseeing Accessories SKU: CLG46 $28 I thought this didnt have a review, but as I had bought this for my daughter, and now Grace is part of my collection, I thought I would add my thoughts to this set. As well as pictures. I bought this set for my daughter's Grace back when Grace was the GOTY. I agree that the price is a bit steep for only 3 pieces, but they are a really cute set! This set is made to coordinate with her Sightseeing Outfit and honestly, I love the boots with it more than the sandals. Though the red shawl also could work with any outfit in her collection for a splash of color. The Shawl is a stretchy knit so it goes over the dolls head easier. No velcro. Has a "Grace" stitched AG label on the trim. The Boots are black "leather" type. I'm guessing they were going for a rain boot look? On the outside near the top is a cute stylized heart that is the signature of Grace's collection. The sunglasses are a heart-shaped medium blue. These feel the most "cheap". Since my daughter was target age at the time Grace came out, I can say play value wise, the sunglasses and shawl saw more play than the boots. Still, I recommend this set. They really are cute pieces. Grade: A    |
|
|
|
Post by Jamirae on Mar 11, 2022 20:15:55 GMT -5
I got a whole different impression of this outfit from the photos. The ones I remembered had the heavily sequined jacket open to reveal more of the dusty rose pink shell that matched the pink velour sweat pants and knit hat The jacket does take over the outfit more than I like I wish it were a vest instead and that the shell were long sleeved,but not the way things are.
This set has a short bright magenta sequined jacket, a dusty pink shell, and baggy velour sweat pants that has sequined faux pockets. With all the tight leggings in style, I welcome those loose soft comfy pants. Didn’t need the magenta bling on the pockets but , oh well. I can see this with the Jean jacket from Makena’s Flutter Trim outfit over the shell The magenta sequin jacket which is very short waisted can also work with the Jean skirt from that other outfit.
The shoes are sparkly white, not much to them I wish a bit more were done with them To me, anticlimactic to have those shoes with this outfit The hat is cute and makes for a nice touch
|
|
|
|
Post by Jamirae on Mar 11, 2022 20:04:21 GMT -5
Makena’s two outfits are each a whopping $40 apiece, which gave me great pause. They also looked like they were for a very young girl, not an edgy fashionista. More my expectations, than the reality of this character, most likely But the outfits intrigued me in that they look very much what I’ve seen young Asian girls wear. I think they are just right for my Corinne In time, when I get Makena, I’ll think about how they will work in her, but for now, these pieces work very well in giving Corinne a nice wardrobe
This outfit has a lilac colored tank type top with a ruffle at the bottom. Very sweet This Jean jacket is very short in length and has purple and pink butterfly, star and heart embossed in it. The matching Jean type skirt has a the same butterfly , heart and star on it . Skirt has elastic gathered back with a faux front Jean look fly. Pockets are not working ones net ruffle in a magenta is at the hem of the skirt Outfit is a bit cutesy which I like for Corinne short magenta boots complete the ensemble
What’s neat is that the other Makena outfit, the Pink puffer and Jogger outfit coordinates nicely with this outfit to make mix and match possible Works well together
|
|
|
|
Post by Emma on Mar 9, 2022 16:25:48 GMT -5
My Chill Twill... outfit came yesterday. My Evette is currently wearing the blue and china white tee over some very tight light blue jeans (Maddie's Girls on Etsy) and it's as tight as possible without looking too stretched. The quality of the hat is not up to usual standards, probably because the fabric is flimsier than is usual for bucket hats and should have been lined. Jamirae is definitely correct on skirt color. It's more old gold than orange while the gold bands on the hat are much brighter. However, the skirt and top weren't bought to go together here either. Evette may be unconventional about her choices but she still believes items should have a relationship of some sort (she wears white shorts with a design of black roses with a black tee lettered in white, saying "Nah -- Rosa Parks 1955"). The cut of the skirt is very interesting -- I'll be looking for a top that shows it off, but for now, an oversized cream sweater from Silly Monkey on Etsy will do nicely. The gold of the boot laces goes with the bright gold on the hat -- a possible start on a hiking outfit.
I wanted Evette to have a designer outfit and I think she'll enjoy finding things to go with the pieces -- I got pretty much what I expected, and like Jamirae, I'm satisfied with it. Now to iron that skirt.
The Rosa Parks shirt is from AngelMarieBotique on Etsy. Quotes from other Black heroes are also available.
|
|
|
|
Post by Jamirae on Mar 9, 2022 13:35:08 GMT -5
This is one of the two creations done by Harlem Fashion Row for WBU doll Evette. Evette is the very careful, carefree dresser of the 3 recently released WBU dolls, and this outfit well shows her personality. I think the outfit is of good quality and like most of the pieces even though I do not have Evette, and I do not intend to use the pieces as an ensemble but am splitting up the pieces to complete other looks for other dolls
The package included 1 tee, 1 skirt, a bucket and boots for a whopping $40. The tee has a soft texture, has binding along the sleeeves and neckline , and is has a dark and light blue tie dye type print on a cream colored background I think it would look cute with blue jeans or other casual bottoms. The substantially made dull-gold skirt with pleats doesn’t work well with it , IMO, as it is a piece that I’d have expected a less casual shirt or sweater to top it. I’m very happy to get this skirt, however, and am looking forward to finding pieces I might have t go with it. I feel the photos gave the skirt a brighter, more orangey color than the real thing which quashes some wardrobe combinations I had in mind with some more orange yellow gold pieces that I have on hand. This skirt is more in the brown color family.
The boots are familiar looking hiking and work boots that are classics, in that tan leather look with yellow laces I am very happy to get these boots which certainly will not be paired with the skirt. The bucket hat, though of good quality, is simply not to my liking and I have no idea what I’ll do with it Maybe it will work well with Evette’s other Tee in her other WBU wardrobe piec, which I also bought.
I don’t like Evette’s look, but appreciate that AG is showing different fashion styles. I like the pieces in this set enough to be happy with this purchase. I’ll get good use, I’m sure out of most of the pieces The price is high, but quality is good, and it is the handiwork of a well known fashion designer . I defrayed the costs of the pricey WBU pieces with my REWARDs and bought during a multiple points promotion so I am very satisfied with what I got.
|
|
Fiora
American Girl Prototype
Halloween Costume Contest Winner 2023
Surrounded by dolls and loving it! "This is a Doll World after all..."😉
Posts: 4,150
Feedback: Link
|
Post by Fiora on Mar 8, 2022 10:06:25 GMT -5
Thanks for the good review and pics! Very helpful! It's definitely an "A"
|
|
mamared
Lead Review Moderator
Posts: 1,406
Feedback: Link
|
Post by mamared on Mar 8, 2022 1:25:53 GMT -5
I wanted to add on to the post above in response to requests for side-by-side photos of the 18” and Bitty versions of this dress, and to answer questions about the fit on different dolls. This post will have a lot of nit-picky details along with the photos, so apologies in advance. First up, I’ve got my Josefinas helping me. The Josefina on the left, with the high ponytail, is one of the larger PM dolls from the late 90s. The Josefina with the braids was purchased new around 2001-2002.  As you can see, the PM Josefina is wearing the full-length 18” version dress, but it barely fits her. It was difficult to get it on, and although part of the Velcro strips can close, they don’t align or close completely. The early 2000s Josefina is wearing the Bitty version, with the bow removed (and tied up in her hair instead). It fits her well, closes completely, and has a bit of room to spare. (It could be cinched in, but I think it looks nice as is, too. It also might have looked nice with the bow still attached, I think.)   Next up, the same two dolls, but this time I switched their dresses. PM Josefina is so happy to be wearing the Bitty version of the dress, which fits her perfectly! I think it looks adorable on her, too. IMO, this is definitely the version I’d buy for a PM doll. Early 2000s Josefina is wearing the 18” version, long in the first few photos and then with the bottom tier tucked in. This dress fits her well once it’s on, and it’s not at all difficult to close the Velcro completely, but it did take some maneuvering to get it on. Her body is still thicker than the more recent AG dolls, even though it’s not like the linebacker PM bodies.      One note about folding up the bottom tier of the dress: each tier is stitched to the lining, and there’s also a seam that goes the center of the back, all of which results in some minor but odd bunching when the bottom tier is folded up. This only happens at that center seam on the back; everywhere else, the second tier drapes gracefully over the folded up part.  Next up, I paired the early 2000s Josefina with Jess, who’s the 2006 Girl of the Year. Bodies had continued to slim down, and unlike the Josefinas, Jess actually has a bit of a defined waist (although not like the slim waists of the more recent AG dolls). Josefina’s still wearing the 18” version of the dress (first in the shortened style and then in the longer), and now Jess is wearing the Bitty version. The Bitty version definitely fits loosely on Jess. I suppose it might almost pass for a dropped-waist style, but IMO she looked like she was swimming in the dress, so I took out the tie from Josefina’s hair and used it to cinch up Jess’s waist in the second photo. Clipping it in the back would have also worked. I don’t think that leaving the bow on this dress would have looked quite right on Jess without also cinching up the waist.   Finally, I switched dresses on these two, so Jess could try out the 18” version. It was much easier to put the dress on Jess than either of the other two dolls, and everything fit well and closed easily. Here are some front and back photos of Jess wearing it long and short.    The more modern dolls, like Gabriela in my first post, have an even slimmer waist than Jess. It is easy to put the dresses on them, and you can see the different proportions in that post. In summary, the Bitty version was the only one that fit my PM doll well. My early 2000s doll could wear either version, although the 18” version was a little harder to get on. My mid 2000s and later dolls could also wear either version, but the Bitty version benefitted from a slight modification to make the proportions look a little better. (I made the modification by snipping off the bow and using the tie to cinch in the waist, but clipping the back might have also worked.) Both of these dresses, along with the rest of the collection, are so much fun, and hopefully this gives some ideas about which piece(s) might work best for you. |
|
mamared
Lead Review Moderator
Posts: 1,406
Feedback: Link
|
Post by mamared on Mar 6, 2022 16:17:19 GMT -5
 “These fancy floral espadrille sandals, created in collaboration with LoveShackFancy, were designed with our garden-party mix-and-match collection in mind. The sandal straps are cinched in the middle to create beautiful bows.” SKU#: HGY98 $16 These espadrilles, in the Peony Garden print, look very cute on and off the doll. I like the print, the fact that the tag is looped on to the elastic (so can be easily removed), the appearance of the shoes, how they work with the collection, and how they stay securely in the dolls’ feet. I also really like the espadrille detail and the bottoms. I’m not a huge fan of putting them on, as the elastic that connects to the bow in front also threads through the back of the heel, which pulls the backs in when I’m trying to put them on. (This really isn’t that big of a deal, I’m just not personally a fan of the extra difficulty that this seems to create.) Here are more photos in all their cuteness. Please excuse the tag.       |
|
mamared
Lead Review Moderator
Posts: 1,406
Feedback: Link
|
Post by mamared on Mar 6, 2022 15:59:56 GMT -5
Another fun floral addition to the spring mix and match American Girl x LoveShackFancy collaboration. Here’s the AG description along with some additional thoughts and photos …  “This ruffle-sleeve dress is bursting with blooms that will brighten the mood at any spring celebration! Designed in collaboration with LoveShackFancy to match the girl-sized version, this sweet style features LoveShackFancy’s signature Aegean Coast print, an above-the-knee ruffle hem, lace trim at the sleeves, and a pretty bow on the back.” SKU#: HGY94 $24 This is a sweet, somewhat simple dress (at least, simple compared to the more elaborate Garden Party Dress in the same collection). The Aegean Coast print is used throughout the dress, along with pink lace trim on the sleeves, at the bottom, and in the bodice. The dress is unlined but well made. It has a Velcro strip up the back, and a cute bow is permanently attached at the back waistline.     Like the other mix and match pieces in the collection, it comes with the hanger that’s printed with LoveShackFancy and embossed with American Girl, and the packaging has outfit suggestions on the back. The dress also has the LSF AG tag, although I didn’t take a picture of it.   Overall, I think it’s a cute day dress that works well in the collection, and I can also easily see it working in different decades for some of the historical girls. I’d give it an A-, just because it’s a bit expensive for being unlined and not having any included accessories, but I’m still glad to have this in the collection. One more pic, this time with the sweater:  |
|
mamared
Lead Review Moderator
Posts: 1,406
Feedback: Link
|
Post by mamared on Mar 6, 2022 1:41:54 GMT -5
 SKU#: HGY97 $18 Garden-party-ready? Not without accessories! This set, designed in collaboration with LoveShackFancy, pairs perfectly with any outfit in this collection. It includes: A petal-pink heart-shaped purse with a shoulder strap and a flowery fabric bow - I was surprised by how much I like this piece! It’s better in person than in photos, IMO. The purse is a nice size and has an open top, so unlike some AG handbags, it could actually be functional. A floral-print fabric-covered elastic hair tie with tails - Very cute and functional, which I expected. It’s a nice extra touch that the elastic is covered in floral fabric. A pair of pink heart-shaped sunglasses with gray lenses - These are okay, but maybe a little over the top in my opinion. On the other hand, target age kids might love them. Overall, I agree that this accessory set pairs perfectly with other pieces in the collection, and I think I will use it often. Here are some photos:       |
|
mamared
Lead Review Moderator
Posts: 1,406
Feedback: Link
|
Post by mamared on Mar 6, 2022 1:16:03 GMT -5
 “Create pretty-in-pink pairings by mixing and matching this sleeveless pointelle knit sweater top with any skirt from this collection. Designed in collaboration with LoveShackFancy to match the girl-sized version, it has an allover knit heart pattern, a ruffle hem with a bow, and embroidery at the shoulder.” SKU#: HHB03 $16 This very cute peplum top, with its heart knit pattern, floral embroidery, and lining inside, is another winner from this mix and match collection. Like the other pieces, it had a special American Girl LoveShackFancy tag and comes with outfit suggestions. I think the fit, construction, and overall appearance of the top are very good, and I’d give it an A.         |
|
mamared
Lead Review Moderator
Posts: 1,406
Feedback: Link
|
Post by mamared on Mar 6, 2022 1:03:10 GMT -5
|
|
mamared
Lead Review Moderator
Posts: 1,406
Feedback: Link
|
Post by mamared on Mar 6, 2022 0:39:09 GMT -5
 “Ruffled tiers add cheer to this pink skirt, designed in collaboration with LoveShackFancy to match the girl-sized version. It features allover heart embroidery, two tiers of ruffles, a smocked waistband, and heart lace trim at the hem of each lovely layer.” SKU#: HGY96 $20 I’m enjoying so many of the pieces of this mix and match collection, but this is one of my favorites! All of the details with the heart embroidery and the heart shaped lace are just top-notch in my book, plus I love the versatility, fabric choice, and fit. Grade: A+  The plastic vanity tag is almost hidden under one of the tiers:  Here it is with some other pieces in the collection:     And suggestions on the packaging:  |
|
mamared
Lead Review Moderator
Posts: 1,406
Feedback: Link
|
Post by mamared on Mar 6, 2022 0:24:05 GMT -5
|
|
mamared
Lead Review Moderator
Posts: 1,406
Feedback: Link
|
Post by mamared on Mar 5, 2022 23:49:26 GMT -5
Pink frilly florals might not be everyone’s cup of tea, but this American Girl x LoveShackFancy collaboration is right up my dolls’ alley! Here’s the official description, along with additional thoughts and photos …  SKU#: HGY92 $44 This dreamy outfit is everything we adore about spring! Designed in collaboration with LoveShackFancy to match the girl-sized dress, it features:A three-tier tea-length dress in a mixture of signature LoveShackFancy prints—Peony Garden, Rosa Beaux, and Aegean Coast—plus adorable details like lace-trimmed ruffle sleeves, smocking detail on the bodice, and a sash at the waist that ties in a bow - This is such a pretty, well-made cotton piece. Each tier is a different but coordinating fabric, and even though I’m not always a fan of smocking, I love it here. The large bow is firmly stitched on, and the whole thing closes with a strip of Velcro up the back. The entire dress is lined with cotton (as were the coordinating $88 little girls’ dresses, which were selling briskly when I was in the store). Grade: A+  The bodice is Peony Garden and the bow is Rosa Beaux. Tiers of Aegean Coast, Peony Garden, and Rosa Beaux are each trimmed with pink lace. I like the combinations of prints.  The Rosa Beaux sleeves are also trimmed in pink lace. The smocking is a nice touch, too.  The dress has a white cotton lining in the front and the back.  The special tag for this collaboration.  A pair of pink sandals with satin elastic crisscross straps and bows on the outer ankles - These are cute, though not as well made as the dress and clearly not the star of the show. They fit just fine and I wouldn’t worry about them coming off unintentionally; if anything, it can take a minute to put them on because of having to put the straps on first. Grade: B  A headband with satin-elastic double straps and soft pink chiffon flowers - There are two chiffon flowers, a large pink one and a smaller pale pink one, and on the opposite side from the flowers, a small bow is stitched on to the elastics. I’m really happy with the inclusion of a headband and also pleased with its functionality and appearance. Grade: B+   An activity booklet that includes three perforated paper dolls and outfit pieces for fun fashion play - I think this trifold piece is a nice extra. I won’t be using it, but I think it’s cute. I appreciate that it has different pieces from the collection and also that some diversity is represented in the paper dolls. All of the dolls and items are printed on only one side, and seem that they’d punch out of the card stock with ease (they were already starting to pop out as I handled them). Grade: B   Overall, this set earns an easy A from me. There are three other notes I wanted to add about this set … First, regarding the length of the dress. Someone else on the board noted that the dress can be temporarily shortened by folding the bottom tier up inside of the dress. These pictures show Gabriela holding up the middle tier so you can see how it’s stitched on, and then what it looks like with the bottom tier folded up. I like having this built-in option!   Second, a quick comparison to the Bitty version of this dress. The Bitty version is a very similar dress in all aspects of quality and construction. AG sells the Bitty version for $40 and describes it as “A three-tier tea-length dress in a LoveShackFancy signature floral print, a headband with chiffon flowers, sandals, and a paper-doll activity booklet.” The main differences with the Bitty version of the dress is that the bottom tiers and overall length are shorter, and that bodice is a little roomier. (The bodice on the 18” version fits my slim GOTY 2017 Gabriela well, and is snug but still fits my GOTY 2006 Jess. I don’t know how well it would work on larger PM dolls.) ETA: I tried it out on older dolls and added to my review in the next post.The shoes are also different; the Bitty ones don’t fit the 18” doll as well - her toes hang a bit over the edge. The headband on the Bitty version is arguably better (with fabric covering the headband, and two chiffon flowers that match the 18” version), and it does fit the 18” doll. Here are photos showing the comparison.    Third, about the bow on the front of this dress. While it’s permanently tied and stitched on, it might be worth noting that the stitches are very easy to snip from the inside of the dress if you decide you want to take it off. I decided to take the bow off my Bitty version so I could play around with different options. Once I removed and untied the bow, I found there were some different options, as shown below, Although these show the Bitty version of the dress, the ideas regarding the bow removal would work the same way on the 18” version. Here I’ve tied it up into a knotted headband. The ends were long enough to leave out in a bow, too, although I chose not to. You can still see a “belt” in the front of the dress, which is sewn into the side seams and goes around the front. This is what the big bow was originally sewn on to.  Here I’ve doubled it over lengthwise and used it to cinch in the waist. It’s tied in a bow in the back. (Again, this is the Bitty-length dress in the photo.)   I’m sure there are lots of other options, too! Overall I think this is a great set, and I’m very glad to have it!  |
|
Fiora
American Girl Prototype
Halloween Costume Contest Winner 2023
Surrounded by dolls and loving it! "This is a Doll World after all..."😉
Posts: 4,150
Feedback: Link
|
Post by Fiora on Mar 4, 2022 15:58:20 GMT -5
found your single post so moving my comment there  |
|
|
|
Post by diane on Mar 4, 2022 14:02:50 GMT -5
 My Nisha arrived last night! She was on my CYO wishlist and I finally ordered her on February 18, 2022 and she arrived March 3rd. She is the darkest skin 35, grey eyes, & black short curly hair. I adore her deep skin tone that is on the cool spectrum. It is so lovely! Her grey eyes pop against the skin and her wig is full and bouncy. |
|
|
|
Post by FelicityFan85 on Feb 28, 2022 20:59:29 GMT -5
Although I already posted a review of the Mattel violin above, I also now have the Pre-Mattel version and took some comparison photos:
*mod edit to remove dead image link
I just got my Ebay purchase of the pre-Mattel version of the violin set (I’ve already had the Mattel version for years). There are a lot of differences and pros and cons to each.
In the photos, the PM is either on the top or on the left. The video at the end is “playing” the PM violin, lol.
Right from the start, the PM version is much lighter. The Mattel case is sturdier and thicker, although the PM case stays open on it’s own.
The PM bow is thinner, made of wood, and has real horse-hair (which is fragile after all these years). The Mattel bow is plastic, thicker, and has plastic instead of horsehair. The biggest thing that bugs me about the Mattel bow is that the stick curves too much in the wrong direction, making it look as though it was tightened way too much.
The PM violin is wood whereas the Mattel violin is plastic. Although the Mattel version is less fragile, I like that the PM version actually tightened the strings a bit and the color is definitely lovelier. The bridge on the PM version is easy to lose which is probably why it’s hard to find it second hand with the bridge. It’s more realistic than the Mattel bridge.
The PM version came with a chunk of real rosin (the one that came with mine was broken smaller, however I was also able to break my old rosin into some smaller chunks). The Mattel rosin is plastic.
The music stands are fairly similar as are the two books (my Mattel books are MIA at the moment but if there are any differences, I don’t think they’re that big).
It’s neat to now own both versions of the violin. I am an adult violin student 🙂.
|
|
mamared
Lead Review Moderator
Posts: 1,406
Feedback: Link
|
Post by mamared on Feb 27, 2022 21:49:34 GMT -5
Although most of the excitement around Blaire’s Garden seemed focused on the Silkie chicken, I was actually more excited about getting it for the garden and plants. Yes, they’re plasticky, but gardens work so well with a variety of dolls and time periods, so I couldn’t resist. Here are some more descriptions and photos of the set:  “The garden is one of Blaire's favorite places on her family's farm: full of vibrant color and edible flowers, it's easy to find inspiration for new dishes or designs whenever she visits. Includes: “Raised garden structure with rich pretend soil, holes for an interchangeable set of plants to grow, plant markers, and a removable nesting box for chickens” - The garden structure comes in three pieces: the garden box with soil, the trellis structure that slides into slots behind it, and the box for the chicken nest (which secures on either end of the box with a tab and slot underneath it). I like the soft green color, the “Pleasant View Farm” name (which seems like a nod to the original Pleasant Company), and the fun and flexibility of having interchangeable holes for the different plants and their markers. There are three kinds of flowers - marigolds, lavender, and primrose - and three herbs - chives, basil, and dill. The plants, as noted before, are pretty plasticky but I think the design is clever. I also think it’s a fairly reasonable size for herbs and flowers; more like a window box than a garden bed, but these aren’t veggies that would need a lot of space for roots. Not having ever had chickens myself, I can’t comment on how reasonable it is to expect the nesting box to be adjacent to a flower and herb garden.      “Blaire's favorite white Silkie chicken, Dandelion ("Dandy" for short) and her nest with pretend eggs” - The chicken is kind of cute, and I appreciate having having a Silkie instead of a more common or expected variety, as it gave me the chance to learn something new. The nest is a rather large piece of rubbery material, and the three clumped eggs are also rather large. I no longer have the eggs and egg carton from Blaire’s Family Farm Restaurant to compare, but I believe these are larger.  “Shovel Blaire can hold and use for digging” - This aqua-handled plastic trowel is the perfect size and has the perfect curve to either plant or dig out the flowers and herbs in the garden. It’s fairly lightweight and doesn’t seem especially hardy, but the functionality gets extra points from me. The handle has a hole in case you want to hang it somewhere (or attach a string for hanging).  “Watering can with flower art to keep plants hydrated” - This orange plastic watering can is a disappointment. The plastic is lightweight and feels cheap, the flower art is not that cute, and there aren’t even holes in the spout, so it’s not a functional watering can. No thank you.  “Basket to carry tools, freshly picked produce, or even newly laid eggs back to the restaurant” - This is a good size rectangular-shaped basket made out of a somewhat flexible plastic material. It’s the same basket but different color that came with Kit’s Gardening Accessories in one of her last releases, and while I think it’s too plasticky to look realistic, I do think it’s pretty functional and would hold up to play. In this photo, it’s holding all six plants from the set and their markers.  Overall, I really like this set. I might be in the minority in that I bought it for the garden, but I would grade it an overall B based on the playability, construction, function, and retail price. Personally, I think it’s a more reasonable buy in the $35-40 range, which is probably what I paid for it after rewards. A few more photos of the front/back or top/bottom of the accessories that came with the set:   |
|
