American Girl is playing around with a classic.
To mark its 40th anniversary, the toy company has given its iconic line of Historical dolls a makeover to fit in with contemporary times as part of the new Modern Era Collection.
Take Samantha Parkington, whose signature plaid dress got a “playful update,” according to a Mattel press release. In place of the drop-waist frock, the orphan now wears a pink satin top with a short, plaid skirt featuring pink tulle. Her black tights and Mary Jane shoes have also been replaced with ankle socks and faux leather ballet flats with pink bows.
Meanwhile, Josefina Montoya received a “contemporary update with crimson-ruffled shorts, colorful primrose accents, and cowgirl boots, inspired by her life in 1824,” per the toy brand.
Other Historical characters that are part of the new collection include Addy Walker, Molly McIntire, Felicity Merriman and Kirsten Larson, whose braided pigtails have become space buns.
The dolls itself have also shrunk in size, now standing at 14.5 inches compared to its original height of 18 inches. And fans definitely saw the difference.


