It happened quietly. Around 2013, Mattel released a line that, at the time, felt like just another high-quality playline series. It was the "Barbie Style" collection. Among the fashion-forward dolls was a redhead that looked a little different from the Midge we grew up with. She had rooted eyelashes. She had articulation that actually allowed her to sit like a human being. Most importantly, she had style. Now, over a decade later, the Barbie Deluxe Style Midge has transformed from a toy store staple into a high-stakes obsession for adult collectors. If you’ve looked at eBay or Mercari lately, you know the prices are getting a bit out of hand.
Why?
Honesty is the best policy here: it's because she’s arguably the best version of Midge ever made. For years, Midge Hadley was stuck in the shadow of being "Barbie’s pregnant friend" or the 1960s sidekick with the flip hair. The Deluxe Style version changed the narrative. She was cool. She was edgy. She looked like she actually lived in Malibu rather than just visiting for a photo op.
The Design Shift That Changed Everything
When you hold a Barbie Deluxe Style Midge, the first thing you notice is the weight. This isn't the hollow plastic of the modern "Fashionista" line. This was the era of the "Luxe" body. These dolls were designed to compete with the rising popularity of high-fashion dolls like Monster High, which were taking over the aisles with their intricate details and poseability.
Mattel leaned into the "Style" branding by giving Midge a look that felt curated. We’re talking about a denim vest with actual texture, a floral dress that didn't feel like paper, and accessories that weren't just molded pink blobs. The rooted eyelashes are the real kicker. They give the eyes a depth that painted-on lashes simply cannot replicate. It creates a "soulful" look that collectors call the "sweet spot" of Mattel’s design history.
The articulation is another huge factor. This Midge features a "Made to Move" predecessor-style body with joints at the elbows, wrists, and knees. You can actually pose her holding a coffee cup or leaning against a shelf. For toy photographers—a massive community on Instagram and Flickr—this made her an instant superstar.
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The "Life in the Dreamhouse" Effect
You can't talk about Barbie Deluxe Style Midge without mentioning the web series Barbie: Life in the Dreamhouse. If you haven't seen it, it's surprisingly self-aware and hilarious. Midge was a breakout character. She was portrayed as a "fish out of water" who had been stuck in the 1960s and was trying to navigate the modern world.
This show gave Midge a personality she had lacked for decades. Suddenly, kids and collectors weren't just buying a doll; they were buying a character with a quirky backstory and a dry sense of humor. The Deluxe Style doll was the physical manifestation of that "new" Midge. She was the bridge between the vintage 1963 original and the modern aesthetic. This connection to the show created a secondary wave of demand that hasn't slowed down.
What to Look for When Buying (And Why It’s Tricky)
Buying one of these today isn't as simple as hitting "Add to Cart" on Amazon. You have to be careful. Because she’s so popular, there are a lot of "franken-dolls" out there—people putting a Midge head on a cheaper body.
Check the eyelashes first. On a genuine Barbie Deluxe Style Midge, those lashes should be thick and even. If they look wonky or sparse, the doll might have been played with heavily or stored in a way that crushed the fibers. Also, look at the shoes. This line was famous for having incredibly detailed footwear, often with painted soles or tiny buckles. If she’s missing her original boots or heels, the value drops significantly.
Then there's the "sticky leg" syndrome. It’s a real thing. Dolls from this era sometimes develop a chemical reaction where the plastic of the legs becomes tacky to the touch. It’s a bummer, honestly. You can sometimes fix it with a light dusting of cornstarch or a very careful wash with mild soap, but as a collector, you want to ask the seller about the texture of the plastic before dropping $150.
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The Pricing Reality
Let's talk numbers. In 2013, you could grab this doll for about $20. Today? An "In Box" (NRFB - Never Removed From Box) Barbie Deluxe Style Midge can easily fetch between $150 and $300 depending on the day and the platform. Even out-of-box (OOB) dolls in good condition are clearing the $80 mark.
Is it a bubble? Maybe. But Midge has a dedicated cult following that Barbie herself sometimes lacks. There is something about the underdog status of the character that keeps the prices high. People who grew up with the Life in the Dreamhouse series are now entering their 20s and have disposable income. They want the toys they remember.
Comparing the "Style" Midge to Other Eras
If you put the Deluxe Style version next to the 1963 Midge, the difference is jarring. The original had that "deadpan" stare and the hard plastic body. Fast forward to the 1990s, and Midge became part of the "Happy Family" line—the one that caused the huge controversy with the magnetic pregnant belly.
While the "Happy Family" Midge is iconic for the drama it caused, the Barbie Deluxe Style Midge is iconic for its quality. It represents a brief window in time where Mattel prioritized "premium" features in a mass-market doll. Shortly after this line ended, we saw a shift toward "Millie" faces and less articulation to save on manufacturing costs. That’s why collectors cling to the 2013-2015 era; it was the "Golden Age" of modern articulation.
Common Misconceptions About the Deluxe Line
One big mistake people make is thinking all "Barbie Style" dolls are the same. They aren't. There was a basic "Style" line and then the "Deluxe Style" line. The Deluxe ones are the ones with the extra outfits and the more complex jointing. If you're hunting for Midge, make sure you're looking at the version with the rooted lashes. There are "budget" versions of Midge from the same era that use the same face mold but have painted lashes and stiff limbs. They are fine, but they aren't the investment pieces that the Deluxe ones are.
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Another thing? People think Midge is just "Barbie with red hair." Nope. Her face sculpt is distinct. She has a wider smile and a slightly more "approachable" look. In the Deluxe line, her makeup was kept relatively neutral—peachy tones and soft browns—which makes her incredibly versatile for people who like to "redress" their dolls in different fashions.
Why She Matters Now
In a world of digital everything, there’s something tactile and grounding about a well-made doll. The Barbie Deluxe Style Midge represents a peak in toy engineering. She’s a reminder that toys can be art.
Whether you’re a lifelong "Midge Head" or a newcomer who just discovered her through TikTok or the Barbie movie (where she had a brief, hilarious cameo played by Emerald Fennell), this doll is the gold standard. She’s not just a piece of plastic; she’s a piece of pop culture history that managed to be both a great toy and a legitimate fashion statement.
If you’re lucky enough to find one at a garage sale or a thrift store, don’t hesitate. Grab her. Even if you aren't a collector, you're holding a piece of design work that we likely won't see again at that price point.
How to Preserve Your Midge
If you already own a Barbie Deluxe Style Midge, or you're about to pull the trigger on an auction, maintenance is key. These aren't indestructible.
- Avoid Direct Sunlight: The red hair on Midge is prone to fading. If she sits on a shelf in the sun, that vibrant ginger will turn into a dull strawberry blonde within a year.
- Handle the Eyelashes with Care: Do not brush the eyelashes. If they get dusty, use a tiny, dry makeup brush to flick the dust away. If you get them wet or pull on them, they can "sink" into the head or become permanently matted.
- Stand Usage: Because the Deluxe Style body has many joints, she can become "floppy" over time if she's constantly posed in extreme positions. Use a proper waist-grasping doll stand to take the weight off her hip joints.
- Cleaning the Clothes: The fabrics used in the 2013 Style line are often multi-media (denim, lace, faux leather). If the clothes get dirty, spot clean only. Throwing that tiny denim vest in a washing machine is a recipe for disaster.
The market for these dolls is only going one way, and that's up. With the 60th anniversary of various Barbie milestones always around the corner, Midge remains the "cool alternative" for people who find Barbie a bit too mainstream. The Deluxe Style Midge is, quite simply, the best version of that alternative.
Final Steps for Collectors
- Verify the Face Sculpt: Check for the "Midge" stamp on the back of the neck to ensure it isn't a Summer or Raquelle head swap.
- Inspect the Joints: Ask for photos of the doll standing unaided to check for "loose knee" syndrome common in played-with 2013 models.
- Join the Community: Groups like "Barbie Collectors" on Facebook or the "Dolls" subreddit are great places to price-check before you buy.
- Documentation: If buying NRFB, ensure the box hasn't been re-taped. Original tape from 2013 will have a slight yellowing or a very specific "dry" texture compared to fresh Scotch tape.
Owners of the Barbie Deluxe Style Midge possess more than a doll; they own the high-water mark of the Life in the Dreamhouse era. Keep her safe, keep her out of the sun, and whatever you do, don't try to brush those eyelashes.