Fashion Pack Reviews - Basic

From the beginning Mattel has released fashion packs for the dolls. Each one is always themed to a specific character, and sometimes the actual lines are themed (like School Clubs). In 2013 they're releasing two lines -- one they're calling "basic", the other "deluxe". The basic line is much like what previous packs have offered -- one outfit with a pair of shoes and a few accessories. The deluxe line is something new from Mattel. These packs feature two complete outfits and several more extras. The clothes in general seem a little more elaborate in the deluxe packs. Today I'll be looking at the basic line. There are four packs, one each for Lagoona, Spectra, Abbey, and Draculaura. I passed on Draculaura's pack but the other three will be covered today. One last thing: although it's not made explicit on the packaging for these, if you've picked up Scaris Clawdeen you know these fashions were designed by her. So these outfits have a mild Scaris tie-in.

Let's start with Abbey. I've chosen her Skull Shores doll to model the outfit because she's awesome. This is Abbey's third fashion pack and, to me at least, her best. She wears a form-fitting cocktail dress. The bodice is electric blue and features a fantastic print of ice crystals jutting from the sides towards the center of the bodice. You Superman fans may get a strong Fortress of Solitude vibe from them (awesome). Above the bust is black netting that connects to sleeves that land just below the elbow. The top and sleeves are hemmed with blue thread. More black netting hangs below the dress and is also hemmed in blue. I love the fit of the dress and the colors. The print is unique and ties into Abbey's theme.

Her shoes are a purple version of the heels we've seen several other times already. Off the top of my head I have these same shoes in black, white, and, I believe, black with gold embellishments. On the plus side this pair is made of a more pliable plastic than the previous versions, which had a habit of grabbing the doll's toes when you'd try to put them on. That said, I don't think the purple is a very good color match for the dress. I think either the black or white shoes would've been much better. I'll probably be switching these out for one of those pairs. Her purse is a blue version of basic Spectra's purple purse. I've never been a big fan of that purse and I don't much like it in blue either. But the color matches the dress, so there's that. Her last accessory is a pink ice choker. You've seen this before, nothing to write home about but it gets the job done.

In terms of being, you know, actually fashionable, the dress is light years ahead of Abbey's previous fashion pack clothes. The accessories are a bit lackluster, in my opinion. I think white shoes, a black choker, and a different purse entirely would've pulled the look together. As it is, the dress is great but the extras either clash due to bad color choices, or are just not fitting for this character (the purse).

Next we have Dot Dead Gorgeous Spectra modelling her fashion pack. As always, pics are iffy for Spectra due to her pure white skin. Anyway, Spectra's dress is a one-sleeved, black and purple number. The bodice is black and features an abstract, pixelated Eiffel Tower and facade print in purple. The top and bottom of the dress are hemmed with purple thread. The one sleeve is long purple netting that flares around the hand. The texture is nice and I especially love the unique print. The sleeve adds some drama to the look.

Spectra wears a silver belt of linked triangles with one long chain hanging down the front. One last triangle hangs at the bottom. Her sunglasses are a repeat of the pair from her first fashion pack but these are solid silver. I loved these in the first fashion pack, and I love them here. I wish the chains were painted black but the solid silver is fine. Her shoes are a pure silver repaint of Gloom Beach Clawdeen's sandals -- talk about dipping into the past! The chain strap would've made perfect sense in black on these, and it would've looked great. Oh well.

Even though the lack of detail in the accessories is a bit disappointing this look definitely works. The asymmetrical dress combined with the funky belt give this look an edge. It's only enhanced by the sunglasses -- even in one color they're very wicked. The overall effect is very Spectra: Badass Fashionista. Don't trifle with this girl, she will cut you.

From one extreme to the other we go with Lagoona's fashion pack. Less badass fashionista, more feminine ocean nymph. I chose Dance Class Lagoona to model this outfit since her soft faceup and silky hair are a perfect match for this flittery summer dress. The bodice is black and features a print of abstract blue... kelp? Fish? Whatever they are, they look cool. The bodice features a hem of blue "crocheted" thread. The straps are crocheted as well and twist at Lagoona's neck before wrapping behind her shoulders. I love these straps! It's a small detail but adds immeasurably to the look. The bodice attaches to the skirt with more crocheted hemming. The skirt is black with a print of pink kelp and blue seahorses. It's hemmed with blue thread. I love this skirt, too! The print is really pretty and the smooth knit material feels nice. I also love the way the skirt lays. It's not gathered or pleated but flares out. The soft material folds in on itself, a great effect.

Lagoona carries a chunky tote -- a blue repeat of the pink one her basic 2.0 doll carries. I loved the tote in pink and I love it even more in blue. She wears matching blue jellies that wrap her lower legs, ending with a molded bow in the back. Her only other accessory is a simple white pearl bracelet.

I love this look. It's simple, sweet, feminine. Lagoona looks gorgeous in it. I love the way the crocheted straps wrap at her neck, how the skirt lays, how the prints of the bodice and skirt contrast with each other. The tote adds some funk, while the shoes play up the breezy, carefree vibe of the dress. The pearl bracelet is just the accessory this look needed. It adds visual interest without being overpowering. This is by far Lagoona's best fashion pack to date. I was taking pictures of Lagoona in this dress until my camera died, that's how much I love this look.

I haven't gotten ahold of any of the deluxe fashion packs yet but when I do I plan to review them in a similar style to today's reviews. And I plan on getting all four of those! Until next time!