​​​​​​​Behold The Valley of the Dolls

by David James Mansour 

8. Rocker Barbie, 1986  

She's totally representative of the MTV new wave era with her big hair and flashy day-glo fashions.

3. Western Barbie, 1981

She galloped along with the decade's wildly popular Urban Cowboy country western craze.

5. Day-to-Night Barbie, 1985 

Yuppie Barbie works 9 to 5 on Wall Street and even carries her own credit card.

Lucy on Instagram recently asked me, "What Barbie is the most 80s to you?" (My answer? Barbie of Barbie and the Rockers.) 

With Lucy's suggestion I thought it would be fun to comprise a Top 10 list of the "Most 80s Barbie" placed in chronological order. Now this is only Barbie, not her friends (no Christie and Whitney), family (no Skipper and Jazzie) or boyfriend Ken.

This list is my opinion. Many other dolls were considered but only 10 could make it. 

Here are my Top 10 picks and the reason I picked the doll as the Most 80s.

(The photos are how the dolls stand in my collection as of this posting.) 

1. Black Barbie, 1980

 A true icon who gave kids the option of Barbie being African-American.​​

7. Astronaut Barbie, 1985 

The doll that launched Barbie's 1980s catchphrase, "We girls can do anything!"

9. California Dream Barbie, 1988  

She personifies the 1980s California lifestyle in appearance, fashion and spirit.

4. Great Shape Barbie, 1984

Jane Fonda move over! Barbie's ready to get physical and work her body!

10. Style Magic Barbie, 1989  

Big hair, don't care! Mall bangs too!

​Like, totally Barbie... It's the 80s. 

2. Golden Dream Barbie, 1981 

From her golden hair down to her golden heels, she's the most stunning of the 1980s Superstar Barbies.

6. Peaches 'n Cream Barbie, 1985 

She's regularly claimed as one of the most beloved dolls of the 1980s; even pop artist Andy Warhol paints her for his iconic Barbie portrait.