Since the appearance of the very first Barbie doll in 1959, the miniature blonde has always personified the standard of female beauty. It changed along with the trends of the time: rounded hips and a pronounced chest with a wasp waist gradually acquired smoother outlines, body parts – mobility thanks to hinges, and the face – the classic beauty of naturalness. Thousands of articles have been written about the beautiful Barbie and no less research has been carried out, but few have paid attention to the main standard of male attractiveness of the last half century – Ken.
The very first Ken was released by Mattel in 1961. At this time, the standard of male beauty was Alain Delon: a thin young man with boyish features and soulful blue eyes.
In the men’s fashion of the 60s, the casual style first appeared, displacing classic suits in the wardrobe of young people. That is why Barbie’s very first boyfriend was a slender blue-eyed brunette in swim shorts.
The set also included a towel and flip flops. Only a few months later, Ken-shaten and Ken-blond were released.
70s fashion gave Ken real hair. At this time, long shoulder-length hair and a wide variety of facial hair are popular among men.
That is why the updated Ken had several self-adhesive accessories in the form of a beard, mustache and sideburns.
The 70s style of clothing for men is luxury, individuality and eclecticism, a mixture of styles, bright colors and a desire for freedom, which is why plaid jackets, high-waisted flared trousers and ethnic shirts appeared in the Barbie boyfriend’s wardrobe.
The sophistication and romance of the 70s was replaced by the conformism of the 80s: the cult of the body is popular among men, and powerdressing, a style when clothing emphasizes a person’s high social status, appears for the first time in clothing.
Now the main man Barbie is focused on a beautiful, strong and athletic body. The main character of the time is Mel Gibson in the form of Mad Max: a fearless warrior in the post-apocalyptic expanses of the new world.
In the 90s, Ken and Barbie become rappers! In men’s fashion, sneakers, gold chains and branded tracksuits are insanely popular. The fashion for dreadlocks appears.
In the millennium, Barbie’s boyfriend gets an unprecedented variety of haute couture looks. 2000s – the era of metrosexuals, in which the cult of a beautiful body reigns.
Sleek looks and an emphasized interest in fashion trends are in fashion. The standard of male beauty is David Beckham, a professional footballer with all the attributes of a gentleman’s set of the new millennium: six abs, salon styling and a perfectly tailored classic suit.
Ten years later, the world is filled with hipster men. They still promote an emphasized interest in fashion, but they add a philosophy of inner and outer freedom and an indifference to clothing brands.
Ken’s favorite accessories during this period include a bow tie, oversized glasses and a camera, along with plaid shirts, skinny jeans and suspenders. With all the thoughtfulness, the image of a man in the 2010s should look slightly careless and careless, and then he is sure to be successful with girls.
Now in men’s fashion, the beard is becoming more and more popular. This trend is so powerful and ubiquitous that it was even given a name – lumbersexuality, or more simply “lumberjack style”. Perhaps Barbie’s next boyfriend will have thick facial hair.