FashionHap: Catch-ups - Jan & Feb Barbie Master Post, Pt. 1

I've been so excited to get to this and so short on time to actually do so that it's been really frustrating. Adding to it is that I've caught a hideous cold, so that hasn't been helping. However, finally: heeeere we go! I missed a lot of fashion during Jan and Feb, so this is how I'll be catching up - via Master Posts for the divas. And I'm kicking it off with a lady whose fashion I always get a thrill out of: Barbie :)
Her New Year's look was amazeballs, embodying both current trends and the effervescent glamour of the occasion. The piece is the Gaga jumpsuit from Reve Boutique and combines shimmering all-over crystals set on an eggshell background. With all that drama, Barbie kept her hair simple and sleek. In many cases, I find the pin-straight+center-part styling quite harsh, but here it works as a refreshing counterpoint to the bold statement of her outfit. The one thing I would tweak is to swap out her clear plastic heels for simple silver strappy ones, as the clear plastic never looks stylish to my eye.
She then treated us to a couple of bikini-inclusive looks from her incredible 30th  birthday bash in Cabo. Don't you completely adore the fringed side-details of this black string bikini? It's like a salsa dance in a swimsuit! So cute! Barbie finished the look with white sneakers. Her next pairing was a floral embroidered bikini top from Mara Hoffman (sadly sold out). The piece features a fabulous mix of pretty sherbet shades, along with a wonderfully unique starburst edge. She set it off to perfection by pairing it with white wide-leg pants from Intermix Online that let her top have the spotlight. The whole combo is a perfect example of a completely laidback but still super-cute outfit! Her next look has the same vibe, with a added touch of flirtiness. It pairs a blush tie-front crop top with a swingy A-line skirt in white. Her nude Valentino Rockstud lace-up heels elevate this look and make it dinner-appropriate. My favorite element of this outfit is Barbie's hot pink clutch! We often see a pop added to an outfit via lip color; she follows essentially the same principle, but with her handbag -so much fun! - and a great idea to keep in mind for times when the lip shade avenue isn't one you want to pursue for whatever reason ;). Her next bikini is a dusty turquoise dot-printed piece (The All Caught Up from No Strings Attached. ID by fashionofthedivas.tumblr.com) with contrast strings. The teal-terra cotta match-up is an unusual one, but looks amazing against Barbie's tanned skin. She adds a stunning crochet sarong in a medium coffee shade and a super-slim choker. I love the movement added to the outfit by her sarong - that's got to make wearing a bikini even more fun :)

In addition to all these casual, beach-ready looks, Barbie did a bit of dressing up for her birthday as well.
This navy off-shoulder crop top and maxi skirt pairing is one of my favorite outfits from this jaunt of hers. It's both current and sophisticated. I'm a huge fan of the way the skirt picks up on the high slit trend - this mid-thigh height is sexy without pushing the boundaries of good taste. Again, I'd be happy if she skipped the clear sandals; her Rockstuds would have been lovely here. I also love the sweetness of her half up-do; it adds interest to this unembellished piece.
Late January found Barbie back in casual mode, combining this cut-off top with black frayed shorts and denim peep-toe over-the-knee boots. I'm enjoying the chill, almost DIY feel of her outfit. About those shoes, though - well, I'm of two minds. There is definitely a fierce factor to them, but they also have an aura of impracticality, which gives me some pause. In addition, a denim boot such as this is going to have a fairly short style shelf life. Translation: it's the kind of thing I can enjoy seeing Barbie wear a time or three and think is a jazz, but as to running out and investing in a pair for moi? Nah, I'll be hanging on to the ruples, thanks. If you love the peep-toe OTK idea, a pair in black suede or leather will have a longer expiration date.  You can a feel for the difference created by the different materials through Barbie's next look, for WAGS, which paired a sun-drenched olive velvet dress with the same peep-toe OTK silhouette, this time in beige suede. This look has a solidly trendy vibe, but the overall effect is appealing, partly because of the slightly less risky materials and partly because of the beautiful combination of earth tones in the look. Her next look reprises the vibe of the denim-peep-toe OTKs outfit, but I much prefer this iteration. Barbie again employs the cut-off tee and frayed shorts pairing, but she styled it with burgundy velvet OTKs. A burgundy flannel shirt tied at her waist carries the color upwards. The power of shoe choice comes into sharp relief when comparing these two looks. The burgundy velvet, while spot on-trend and daring, benefits from using a more classic silhouette (non-peep-toe) and a more polished styling (velvet instead of frayed denim). They elevate the outfit compared to the denim, and give it edge, but with a slight classic leaning, which makes the look distinctive and interesting, while retaining its practicality and a bit more polish. I also love the playful, carefree twist Barbie interjected via her ponytail! Her next offering is a bodycon dress from Plain Threads, a company owned by her friend, Tiffany Parros. While the piece has a metallic appearance, it maybe a black sheer fabric set over a light lining. It is not currently available on the website, making the exact description difficult to confirm. Either way, the simple silhouette  looks fantastic on Barbie. It's accented by a touch of ruching and on-trend front slit. I LOVE the ladylike ankle strap heels Barbie paired with it! This versatile dress could lean towards fierce, chic or sexy, depending on shoe choice and this feminine sandals direct is definitely toward chic! As I've mentioned previously, I find the pin-straight/center part hairstyle often quite harsh and such is the case here. I wish Barbie had gone for a side part, for a slightly softer, flirtier look. She has her hair just right on her next outfit, though - these complex braids add the perfect bohemian aura to this fresh, minimalist trapeze mini dress in white. We don't get much of a look at her shoes, but it appears that another denim OTK filled the bill. These are not frayed as her others are, which makes them a more polished interpretation, which I instinctively prefer. Beige suede OTKs, lace-ups of any silhouette or peep-toe booties would all be lovely alternative finishers.