Very Vintage Ken

This is my second Ken.  The first one got kind of trashed.  He came with this fuzzy flocked hair that came off when I took him swimming in my friends kiddy pool.  He looked SO awful.  But now, I kind of wish I hadn't thrown him out. This one has slick painted on vinyl hair which has withstood the test of time!

He is wearing the "Dreamboat" ensemble from my little Barbie clothes catalog that I talked about yesterday in my vintage Barbie clothes blog. And this was one of those expensive outfits, over $30 in today's money.  But, look at the first photo.  The coat is completely lined, the pants fly has a working zipper and there are all the perfect accessories.

Here is the very first TV add introducing Ken.  He was also named for one of Ruth Handler's children, her son Kenneth.

You will be happy to know, I tidied up all my old Barbie clothes and hung them up in the official case I have.  See these before and after shots.

My Ken's clothes are in better shape than Barbie's and I think I have every pair of shoes and socks he ever owned.

The blue terry cloth slippers for his bathrobe, the white sneakers for his tennis ensemble and the cork sandals go with what he was wearing when I got him along with his little red swim suit and towel.

The black shoes are for his very, very best outfit ... a complete tuxedo!

My Ken was dressed better than my Barbie.  Too bad I've lost the corsage that he was supposed to pin on her gown.  This reminds me that my father used to play Barbie with me.  He would be Ken who took Barbie out on a date.  Ken opened all the doors for Barbie, helped her with her coat and behaved like a proper gentleman ... such a good memory.

And in case you are worried about Ken's grooming habits, you will be happy to know he, too had his own bar of soap AND a shaver! Can't take Barbie out with stubble.

Now, I have mentioned more that once, how expensive these outfits were.  But Mattel also had a Mix and Match program.  These were garment pieces that could be purchased separately at a more affordable price.  Here is a add for those.

Tomorrow I'll finish Barbie week with a little more of this and that.