Trying on the Ocean/Mermaid Mix-&-Match Pieces

It took several dolls to help out for this Fashion Fun review! On the recent Spring Savings Sale event at American Girl, we were thrilled to be able to buy most of the pieces from the 2018 Summer Mix-and-Match clothing set at a really great discount. They arrived last week, and it was a LOT of fun to try all of these on.

While the pieces don't seem quality enough for the original $10.00 plus tax, they are all very nice colours and fit a variety of dolls quite well. (We did not buy any of the shorts included in this set, as we had seen those on display in the store --- and they definitely did not fit the dolls.)

Nanea loves to try clothes on, so she was the first to volunteer to "go shopping". She was soon joined by Sarahbeth (#11), Amabel (#1), Vicki (aka Gabriela), Bessy (#62 with Nanea wig) and Zaida (Lea with Dark Brown "Tyler" wig).

Left to Right: Bessy, Zaida, Nanea, Sarahbeth, Amabel & Vicki

The girls posed as a group, and following that are various photos of them modelling different combinations of the various pieces.

 These photos show Nanea modelling the Seashore Stripe Skirt with the Sea Breeze Top, the Seashell Lace Tank and the Sea Glass Tank. Her flip-flops are from the older Boho Beachy Swimsuit set.

 

Here are two fun ways to use the Mermaid Tee (definitely an adorable AG doll shirt). First photo shows Vicki wearing the t-shirt with the Real Me meet outfit pants and Boho flip-flops. Nanea made a small change to the outfit by swapping the pants for the shorts from Lea's Bahia Outfit. And back to Vicki, who has now changed to the School of Fish Tee shirt (with her Gabby tank sticking out at the bottom there).

Up next is Bessy in the Sea Breeze Top, shorts from Lea's Bahia Outfit, and the Crisscross Sandals from this same fun Mix-and-Match set. Nanea is wearing the Seashell Lace Tank with the Ombre Waves Skirt and the Lace-Print Shoes.
[NB: The Sea Breeze Top fit every doll we put it on! Bessy is a very new #62, and you can see that it looks adorable on her but roomy. It also fit our "middling" era dolls, as well as a 1995 #18 with large body! So, if you're looking for a great piece for your older dolls, this is a good find.]

Finally, we make it to the adorable Blue Sea Dress. This is SO cute! As you can see, it matches the Crisscross Sandals perfectly, and your little doll will feel like an Island Mermaid in this cute outfit. Sarahbeth was enjoying the Seashell Lace Tank, the Ombre Waves Skirt and the Lace-Print Shoes.

These pieces are now discontinued, but the are still available through the American Girl website as "backdoor links". Here are the links to the two collections remaining. We definitely recommend these clothes for a variety of dolls, whether they are any vinyl tone or era of production.

Truly Me Summer Outfit Collection 1 - $27.00
Truly Me Summer Outfit Collection 2 - $22.00

Thanks for reading, and check back tomorrow for photos of the new AG release!

Fashion Fun: Emily's Flannel Pajamas

Trudy here. Today we are featuring another Fashion Fun spotlight -- Emily's Flannel PJs! These are a new addition to the Islandshire closet, though they have been out for a long time now in the stores (discontinued, apparently, and now available through that famous doll outlet store -- eBay).

These are old-fashioned flowered flannel pajamas that really suit anyone needing cozy jammies. Bunty is modeling them today in the photos, and she has quite a thin body and still fits in them very well! These are great all-around comfy PJs, since even some of our older and "chunkier" Islandshire inhabitants also fit into these. The quality of the fabric is very nice, and the row of real little buttons down the front keep the shirt nice and snug. The pants are elastic-waisted and very comfortable. Our set didn't come with original slippers, but they seem to pair up with just about any doll-sized slippers or socks that your feet enjoy.

Thanks to Bunty for modelling today, and check back for more fashion fun!

Bunty Gets a New Dress

Bunty got a new dress --- Caroline's Travel Dress. This is one that I've liked for a long time, and it just never seemed to come up in any lot or auction that we won. Well, Bunty finally got it, and she tried it on for the first time. It matches her hair really well!

I seem to be way behind in my blogging! Plenty happening with the dolls, but I never seem to get a chance to post. There are some introductions to make, and I'm working on needle-felting a pet lamb for Bunty . . . so stay tuned!

Fashion Fun: Z's Easy Breezy Outfit

Trudy here: For those of you who have been following the Islandshire Gazette for a while, you may remember that Nanea had asked that we start a fashion column. What with all the fun things happening around here, that idea didn't get very far off the ground --- but I'm hoping to change that this Winter.

Today, our fashion fun is modeled by Nanea and Nancy*. The outfit is Z's Easy Breezy.

Z's Easy Breezy outfit has just been discontinued by American Girl, but it's still pretty readily available on the secondary market, so we want to review it while you can still pick up this real bargain!

This is definitely one of the nicest modern outfits you'll find, and quality is certainly here. The shirt is made of cotton fabric with real buttons. Thin enough to conform to the doll's shape, but not so thin that you feel like you're handling a one-time costume. The pants are a nice stretchy denim-type material that gives the look of thick pants without bulk --- plenty long, too! And these don't suffer from the new problem of being so low-waisted that the doll's bottom shows. They fit fabulously with an easy velcro fly opening and real back pockets.

The shoes are tall padded sneakers in a bright medium purple and Z's signature light orange. A stretchy elastic headband (also in the pale orange) tops off the outfit for a look that's ready for play or relaxation. This outfit comes with an A+ recommendation from all the Islandshire girls!

 Stay tuned for more news, and if you don't want to miss anything, the "Follow" button is now working in the right-hand column!

*Nancy is a 2014-body tag Julie with a long, wavy red CYO wig.

Fashion Fun: Nanea in Maryellen's Play Outfit

Trudy here. By popular request (in other words, Nanea has been pestering me to start this), the Islandshire Gazette is now going to feature a regular column about fashion! Several of the little girls here like to change their clothes a lot (Nanea, in particular), so it might be helpful to other girls to see photos of the outfits when trying to decide if it will really suit their personality! Starting out today, we have Maryellen's Play Outfit, modeled by Nanea.

This is a classic summer ensemble with lightweight denim capris, a white cotton sleeveless blouse trimmed in red gingham, a red gingham hair tie, and shiny white pumps. The shirt and pumps are embroidered with cherries. Nanea opted not to tie the gingham hair tie in her hair, because she prefers tropical flowers . . . but it works great on pony tails, braids or a variety of styles.

The pants have an elastic waist band and no velcro. Two thumbs up on that one! They are not too tight on Nanea, but on the older, larger dolls, it might be a snug fit. The shirt closes with velcro down the front and is not tight on Nanea, so it would probably fit all but the very large dolls.