Underappreciated Cartoon Style Icons
For some reason lately, I’ve been reminiscing about semi-obscure cartoons I watched growing up and how they’ve influenced the clothing I’ve chosen to purchase over the years. Aside from the obvious “Barbie” incarnations over the span of the 80s and 90s, I feel that these often forgotten or overlooked characters are due some recognition with regards to the sartorial indoctrination of possibly, an entire generation growing up in the 80s and early to mid 90s:
1. Daisy Duck
OK, daisy Duck is pretty well-known. BUT, as with Donald and Mickey, Daisy has always been overshadowed by Minnie. I mean, Minnie is obviously more iconic by default and matchy-matchy. Make no mistake– nthough Daisy ALSO has a bow and giant shoes, the effect is somehow different. Daisy has more wiggle room and versatility with color, because she’s not beholden so much to her male counterpart and because hear feathery hair just kind of looks better than Minnie’s mouse head. Two of my most Daisy Duck-influenced pieces?: (1) A pair of puffy, pointy lime green flats with blue outlines of hearts that I wore during ages 21-24, (2) Virtually every “work” shirt I own with short-princess-sleeves and rounded collars.
2. Larke Tanner and Bianca Dupree
Before coming across a youtube video randomly a few days ago, I almost forgot about this cartoon. Bianca may have single-handedly influenced every desired purchase from Kindergarten to 2nd grade. As much as I totally liked Bianca better in numerous ways, I have to say that in the past 5 years or so, I really kind of dig the red/white/light brown color scheme that Larke has going on. Funny enough though, that I totally used to like Larke’s wood-mansion style house way better than Bianca’s modernist cold factory — but now, I’m kind of torn.
3. The Moon Dreamers
I guess these guys were kind of a Rainbow Brite ripoff, but there was something slighly more Grace Jones or Bowie about them. Whimsee’s headband, Crystal Starr’s sleeves, and Dream Gazer’s star eye thing and translucent swing coat all totally speak to me.
4. The Star Fairies
If The Moon Gazers were Bowie, then the Star Fairies were Stevie Nicks. I guess the Star Fairies did come earlier in the 80s than the moon dreamers, though, so that would make sense. Again here I am with the headbands, but I think my overall ribbon fetish was partly due to their gauzy apparel.
5. Kimber Benton
I don’t care what anyone says, Kimber was totally my favorite Hologram. I would totally rather have had bright red hair than pink. I have a dusty pink 3/4 sleeve tailored blazer that has her name written all over it.
6. Miss Piggy
I can’t stress enough how Miss Piggy’s aesthetic has and always to some degree will inform my gut-instincts when it comes to clothes. The mounds of blonde hair, the feathers, the pearls, the pink, the opera gloves….can you honestly think of anyone more glamorous than this?
8. Lady Lovely Locks and Duchess Raven Waves
Fist of all, the fact that all the Lovely Lady Locks dolls had little animal hair extension clip accessories that you could pin into your own hair was fucking genius. I can totally picture Lady Lovely Locks enjoying Joanna Newsom’s Ys with her animal friends. Meanwhile, Duchess Raven Waves is without a doubt, totally fierce. I like her dress way better, and she has a nicer color scheme that though still super femme, is sort of menacing.
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