We first noticed it in the trailer for Gerta Gerwig’s Barbie, which also stars Margot Robbie and Ryan Gosling. Barbie has to choose between Barbie Land and the real world, between pink stilettos with heart-shaped crystals and Birkenstock Arizona.
Fortunately, life’s options are not so extreme; there are always in-between options that even Barbie should be aware of. I am not sure if they are available in Barbie sizes, but here are the 5 best real shoes that would have fit in Barbie Land.
Nike Air 180 COMME des Garçons. Three Air 180 editions were created in collaboration with CdG, all of which featured pink as the primary colour. A colour that first appeared in the original Air 180 editions in 1991.
New Balance Vision Racer x Jaden Smith (2021). A hybrid that combines elements of the X-Racer and NB 1700. Yes, we are aware of the rumours linking his father to Margot Robbie.
Nike Humara x Jacquemus (2022). Perfect for Barbie Hiking, a hiking edition with poor footwear choices. Inspired by a trekking model who achieved inexplicable and fleeting success on the catwalks in the 1990s. Of course, in pink.
adidas Forum JS Dipped (2021). The Forum was transformed into candy in all flavours and colours by Jeremy Scott, a frequent convert of adidas classics. Barbie had no trouble making a decision.
Extra Ball. adidas Billie Jean King. No, they are not pink, but a limited-edition “Inspiring Woman” figure of tennis player Billie Jean King does exist in the Barbie universe. The first tennis player with a shoe bearing her name, Billie Jean King, is represented by Barbie wearing her own adidas Billie Jean King.