Why are Bratz dolls so popular?

Question

In my oh so humble opinion they are creepy and would have given me nightmares when I was a small child.

I also think that they are horribly unattractive and far too provocativly dressed for children to play with.

What's wrong with Barbie?

Answer 1

Good question, and I heartily agree!

Barbie(TM) was first manufactured in the 1950s and was the epitome of the developed, stylish woman: chic, blonde, twig-like (except in those places where she had great curves), and was pretty novel for the time. Girls have always loved dolls, and Barbie was pretty convenient: she came with a WIDE wardrobe, shuffled several occupations at once (teacher, doctor, astronaut, political party canidate, the list goes on). At the time, Barbie was like the Beanie Babies and Frisbees of the 90s: one hot commodity to have. She was convenient to dress and play with and was made of plastic instead of porcelein, which came into popularity after WWII after rations ended. She didn't break easily then, even in the small hands of her little friends.

Basically, Barbie grew up in the time period our mothers grew up in, and is an iconic figure of that era. Children nowadays no longer are big fans of Barbie's old-fashioned beauty idealics (if you haven't noticed the tween market is getting more...promiscuous). Now, the ideal toy is something trendy and hip...you know, mini-skirts instead of poodle skirts, platform shoes instead of high heels, suede and jeans jackets instead of ruffled blouses...

So if you can imagine now, children are looking at different beauty standards in this generation. Beyonce, Britney Spears, Avril Lavigne are all examples of accepted appearance whereas Grace Kelly, Natalie Wood, and Marilyn Monroe were the beauty icons of the 50s/60s.

Now, back to the Bratz dolls.

Bratz have full, sensuous lips, easy-to-change wardrobe outfits which are much more up-to-date than Barbie's, big eyes, and are multicultural. They come with trendier jewelry and with accompanying male dolls that are updated to absorb this generation's standard of the "hot tough guy" (pardon my ridiculousness, it's the best I can explain it). The multicultural factor is pretty important; we're looking at more diversified market now than before, where the consumer was averagely the middle-class Caucasian-American in the 50s.

Basically, it boils down to the trends of this era as compared to the last, and the acceptance of certain beauty standards through generations. Barbie is considered an "old" toy (pshaw, although I will never think so!! YAY BARBIE!), and Bratz (the name itself is trendy, especially with that lame z....). I mean, would you want to be buying a trusty Toyota from your mom's era or a sleek Porsche from yours?

Stupid kids. Go back to Barbie.

Answer 2

It is called "promotion". MGA (the makers of Bratz) have heavily promoted the dolls - "they are hip, they are cool, etc." I started out liking the Bratz dolls - I collect Barbie, but they were cute and they were well made. Slowly they became the hoochie-mamas of the fashion doll world & that turned me off.
So many people were always screaming how Barbie was unrealistic and who could forget the whole fiasco with the the Silkstone lingerie Barbie on "The View" - these idiots were going on & on about how "disgusting and degrading" the doll was for children. No one did any research for the story as the Silkstone line is strictly for adults - they were slinging the doll around the table - a doll that now sells on eBay for over $500! What idiots! But I digress - Barbie has always been put down for being too sexy, but at least she has always represented a girl in her late teens to early twenties. The Bratz girls are considerably younger and dress like street walkers. With the exception of the Jade doll that came with the car a couple years ago (cool car, I must say), I got rid of mine at a yard sale.

PS - I noticed after Christmas this year the Bratz aisle at Kmart, Target & Walmart still had a lot of dolls, but most of the Barbies were gone - I think the craze is fading and as usual, the Queen of the Prom comes out on top!

Answer 3

8 years later in 2014, Barbie is overrated and too popular. Bratz rules! I don't care if its no longer popular, I love Bratz, been a fan since 2005. I cannot stand Barbie. I boycott Mattel. I am 23 year old and I collect Bratz everything I go on flea markets. don't be hating on Bratz, its way way way better than Barbie and Monster High that has come out in 2010.

Answer 4

nothing is wrong with barbie my lil girl loves barbie. she collects them. she started liking bratz last year and she really isn't in to them like she is barbie. they are some the ugliest dolls. some of them are much cheaper, way cheaper than Barbie, that might be the reason why they are so popular. not only that they seem to be more trendy....but barbie has the my scene dolls that are trendy as well, but bratz are cheaper. barbie are dolls you don't play with unless they are the 5.00 dollar ones......you must put the barbies on the shelf!!!!!!!!!!!!! they are worth money...bratz you can play with that's what my lil girl thinks!!!!!!!!1

Answer 5

they are more aimed at the ages of about 9/10/11/12 years.i have 2 girls and they think there cool,hip and have all the stuff to go with them.Theres nothing wrong with barbie just kids like different things these days.

Answer 6

bratz are still really big, but not as big as they used to be. the most popular toys now adays are dsi and xboxes and u get the picture, its kinda a pity i used to love bratz

Answer 7

Great marketing. Barbie now has the MY scene dolls, they are worse.
The old Barbie doesn't cut it anymore, they want teenage dolls and Barbie is more like a college kid or adult.

Answer 8

I don't know, I think they're effin hideous. And I have a serious problem with that bratz babies movie. I don't know if you've heard about it at all, but they're supposed to be babies, and they're wearing makeup, and walking around the mall flirting with guys. It's disgusting!

Answer 9

First of all, I love the skirt!!! People inform me I have nice feet but I still don't wear shorts

Answer 10

I love long skirts. My bf enjoys the short ones. So my closet is packed w/ 1/2 and 1/2.