It’s impossible to scroll through social media without noticing the abundance of hot pink right now—an aesthetic TikTokers have aptly dubbed Barbiecore, inspired by (yep, you guessed it) the iconic Mattel doll. But the bright and bold hue is more than just another color trend, it’s made its way into the cultural zeitgeist through fashion, film, and For Your Pages.
It makes total sense. Society’s obsession with nostalgia hasn’t waned one bit. Think of all the major comebacks that have proliferated through the years. In fashion we’ve seen Juicy Couture tracksuits, tiny sunglasses, platform shoes, and chokers—all things Y2K and ‘90s —take hold. In film and television, classic reboots have landed on all the major streaming services. We love re-living these eras and moments—and there’s no one quite like Barbie who can mirror the times.
According to data from Klarna, consumers have Barbiecore at the top of their minds. There’s been a 970% increase in pink mini dress purchases since January 2022, a 343% increase in pink bikini purchases, and a 198% increase in pink sunglasses purchases. Similarly, the Barbiecore phenomenon spiked in Google Search Trends in May of this year. This is not at all surprising either: A photo of Margot Robbie in the upcoming Barbie movie surfaced on April 26, and it set off a vortex of pink that’s playing out to this day.
Getty
