Barbie: 15 Best Costume Designs in the Movie

From early paparazzi photos to seeing it on the big screen, Barbie's costume design dazzled. Here are the top 15 looks.

Besides the lead actors, the name featured in most coverage of the Barbie film was, of course, director and co-writer Greta Gerwig. With good reason, from the trailers fans could sense that Gerwig took great care in the massive hit. Photos of the actors on set went viral, due to the bright and sometimes ludicrous outfits they wore. The fanfare only hit new lengths once the trailer released and even more looks were seen. The costume design was close to perfection, so another name deserves to be mentioned: Jacqueline Durran.

Durran is no stranger to costume designing, nor is it even her first time working on a film with Gerwig. The two collaborated on the 2019 movie Little Women. Durran told Vogue about her different inspirations for choosing how to dress the actors in the film, such as past dolls, real-life celebrities such as Brigitte Bardot, and so many more. There are so many great looks to choose from in Barbie, but continue reading for the best 15 costume designs from the film.

It's hard to keep a straight face when Ryan Gosling, as Ken, pops up on the screen in a floor-length fur coat, sunglasses (sometimes going as far as popping two on), a bandana, and chunky jewelry. We see this iteration of Ken when Barbie encounters the previously-known Barbieland in the newly-formed Kendom. Absorbing all the stereotypes of what it means to be masculine, Ken not only dresses differently, but walks and talks in a new, "macho" manner as well.

Before Ken makes his turn to mink coats and heavy chains, he's attempting to dazzle Barbie in his classic Ken looks. Here, Ken is wearing a cut-off, light-wash denim top and matching jeans that probably only work on dolls. This is one of Ken's tamer outfits, which is fitting since during this point in the movie we're also seeing a tamer version of Ken. His subdued outfit is probably so that he won't outshine Barbie and is always her complement, a notion that Gerwig critiques in the film. In order to be a blank slate, he must be stylish yet not steal the show, which is exactly where this look lands.

Related: How Greta Gerwig Critiqued Mattel in Its Own Film

These pink jumpsuits didn't get much screen time in the film, but when they did, they stood out. These simple Ghostbusters-esque jumpsuits first appeared on Issa Rae (who played President Barbie) and other dolls in the all-women senate room in Barbieland. Once Barbie returns to her home, everything looked a lot different, including the outfits the political dolls put on. However, for those who adore these comfortable-looking getups, don't fear! They make a return when the Barbies, and a couple of humans, join forces to take back Barbieland.

One of the best moments from the trailer was the disco party scene. Not only do you see Barbie and all her friends jamming to Dua Lipa's "Dance the Night" in a gorgeous Barbie Dreamhouse location, but you also spot Margot Robbie in a sparkly pantsuit. With the lights low and the camerawork constantly moving, these dynamic jumpsuit shines in the scene. The floor-length piece stands out among the other Barbies in shorter numbers and among the Kens who opt for matching white outfits. The scene is made even more memorable when Barbie blurts out, "Do you ever think about dying?"

Traditional Barbie? Housewife Barbie? This look may be a bit hard to categorize, but it is gorgeous nonetheless. This is one of the few looks in the movie where costume designers ditched pink. In this mini-dress, Barbie looks graceful as she floats from her house because Barbies don't walk from their houses to outside. The heart-shaped neckline gives the dress a youthful feel, and paired with the hairstyle, Barbie is transported to decades past but with a modern twist.

Another blue Barbie outfit that visually pops against the bright pink convertible she drives and the heavily pink Barbieland she lives in. In this look, Barbie is also going a little vintage, as showcased by the thick blue and white headband. The polka dots on the headband are just tiny enough not to clash with the blue and white halter dress she pairs with it. Add on a marble bracelet and Barbie is good to go as she cruises around town. This is one of several costume designs from the film that could easily translate into real life.

Those who watched the film know that Ken has very strong feelings about the beach. It only figures that he would bring out one of his best looks while there and trying to impress Barbie. In a pastel blue and pink striped matching shirt and short set, Ken's look is reminiscent of the actual doll and makes the scene all the more hilarious. When he's not catapulting himself into non-moving waves or starting a beach-off with Ken #1 played by Simu Liu, Ken looks cool and crisp in this nostalgic costume design.

When the Kens launched into a battle with the other Kens, it was chaos all around. There's so much to take in during this sequence. Gosling's Ken is strutting around in a leather sleeveless vest, leather pants, and a headband. Not the best to fight in, but it's eye-catching. The other Kens opt for more classic sports attire — sweatpants, sleeveless tanks, short shorts, long tube socks, and sneakers.

While many of the Kens have a theme in their outfits, they are starting to express more individuality. So the next time you and your friends want to start some trouble on the beach, check out these outfits for inspiration.

The beach is an essential set location in Barbie. Not only does it consume half of Ken's personality in the beginning, but it's also the backdrop to major character development taking place on the screen. After Barbie discovers her heels are on the ground (gasp!) she gathers her friends around to show them the flat-footed evidence. It's difficult to take in the excellent costume design because you're too busy cackling as the Barbies scream in horror at this news.

Still, once you pause to look around, all the dolls' looks are ones to admire. The nautical-themed designs range in color and cut, but all pop. A standout just might be Dr. Barbie's sailor-style outfit, but really, all of them are amazing.

In a quintessential Barbie look, this pink ensemble is styled to perfection. All the details make this look what it is, like the scalloped collar, the bow at the end of her braid, and, of course, that stylish pink beret. Barbie is off for the road trip of her life during this scene as she tries to locate the human causing all of her recent malfunctioning. When Ken pops up it disrupts her plan, but she reluctantly allows him to tag along. This costume design makes an impact for its short-lived time in the film yet remains one of the best.

The musical number with the Kens was a great shift in the film. With its obvious homage to the 1978 musical Grease starring John Travolta and Olivia Newton-John, the Kens don simple black cigarette pants, plain black short-sleeved shirts, and black shoes. Of course, because this is the Barbie movie, there's a pop of pink with their socks. These outfits are far from the flashiest in the movie, but that's also what made them special (and hilarious).

One of the earliest set photos that sent the public into a frenzy was the shots of Robbie and Gosling rollerblading on Venice Beach in these loud outfits. The outfits are so ridiculous and over-the-top, it's hard to imagine two people actually skating around in them. As you watch the scene of Barbie and Ken acclimating to the real world, it really does feel like you plucked two plastic dolls out of the toy box and plopped them in the middle of the boardwalk.

While most people probably won't find normal circumstances to wear either of these looks, they are fun and distinctive enough to make a great contender for any 80s-themed party.

Barbie's optimism that she'll bring Gloria and Sasha to Barbieland and all of their problems will be solved is paralleled with this bright, pastel blue and pink striped matching outfit. However, like the stripes, things are a bit off-kilter and askew when she returns. Barbie's home has been morphed into what is now known as Kendom, a patriarch where the Kens call the shots.

While Barbie is having an existential crisis, she's decked out in this matching set. America Ferrera's character, Gloria, also sports her own funky look with light pink bottoms and a flowy blouse. In Gerwig's movie, even the tough scenes have lots to look at and marvel over.

Related: Barbie's America Ferrera Took Nearly 50 Takes to Nail Her Unforgettable Monologue

In a nice switch-up from the pink outfits Barbie wore in the film, this navy blue outfit is simple and elegant. The white collar, the high ponytail with a bow, and gorgeous chunky earrings show a more mature side of Barbie. Of course, this outfit is a reflection of where Barbie is emotionally in the film. At this point, she is looking for answers and is unsure whether she is capable of solving Barbieland's problems. This look gives off a bunch of different vibes: teacher, student, politician, anime character, flight attendant. Its versatility is perhaps what makes it stand out.

Within 30 seconds of Barbie changing into this cowgirl getup on the streets of Venice Beach and you can already envision the mass of Halloween costumes this one will inspire. To draw attention away from themselves in their neon rollerblading outfits, Barbie and Ken find a shop on the boardwalk and are drawn to Western-inspired looks.

While Ken's black-and-white fringe ensemble was flashy, it was Barbie's look that truly shone. Paired with a knotted bandana at her neck and a cowgirl hat, this pink denim outfit could work even in none-costume settings and has become one of the most recognizable, and loved, looks from the film.