Were you a little girl (or boy) fashion designer in the 1970’s like I was? Oh how I loved ‘Fashion Plates’. I’m not sure if it belonged to me, one of my sisters, or to all of us, but I loved it! It sparked creativity in me – thinking of good style and colour combinations and so on. I would sit there for hours designing, choosing patterns, colouring. Such simple pleasures and fun and not a device or screen in sight I might add! In my young little mind, I truly thought I was a gifted fashion designer and proudly displayed my collection of designs in a scrapbook.
Here’s the old TV advertisement for Fashion Plates (29 seconds).
And if you want to know more about how the Fashion Plates worked, here’s a guy giving a good run down of them (18 mins, 20 secs).
But wait there is more! Fashion Plates are not just a thing from the past that children of today can’t enjoy, unless they have Mum’s vintage set, because there is a new and improved version available for today’s children. There seems to be a basic Fashion Plates Design Set and a Fashion Plates Deluxe Design Set. Here is the basic set for $29 at Big W, and here is the deluxe set at Amazon for $40.31. Of course they would be available at lots of places so you’d have to do some research to see where they could be bought at the best price.
Did you enjoy Fashion Plates as a child? Know any kids who enjoy it today?
Ciao for now,
Link up here at WOTM or with another of us in the Lovin’ Life Linky team:
Leanne of Deep Fried Fruit
Deborah of Debbish | Jo of And Anyways
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28 Comments
I had a similar thing but it must have been before these…I’m a thousand years old…#Lovinglifelinky
You don’t look a thousand years old I’m sure! lol
Hi Min – I didn’t have Fashion Plates as a child. I was a tomboy 🙂 #Lovin’LifeLinky
I never would’ve picked you for being a tomboy Natalie! 🙂
I always wanted one of these – but had a smash up derby car instead & my sister got these. The cars were cool though – you put them on a collision course with each other & they broke up. Thanks for the memories…
I like the sound of the smash up derby cars too! I used to play with my brothers cars. I remember making tracks in the dirt and playing with matchbox cars. I used to like his cap gun too. That’d cause a BIG stir nowadays wouldn’t it?! lol
I did have some version of these! Or I think I did. Maybe I just played with them at a friend’s house. They don’t really seem like the kind of things my parents would buy for us…begged for a Ken doll and never got one!! Pretty sure I would enjoy playing with this now. Nice to know they are bringing these kits back. Pinned this post on my Remember When Pinterest board.
I always wanted an April Shower Doll and never got one. The things we remember! lol
The memories! I enjoyed rediscovering this lost childhood treasure today, Min!
SSG xxx
It’s nice to reminisce now and then isn’t it?! 🙂 xo
I do not remember them from my childhood.. but i’m really glad that something from our past has come back!
I’m sure it won’t be the only thing to come back. The negative effects of too much screen time on our young is becoming more apparent … so I’m sure there will be a swing back to some of the more healthy entertainment options from the good ‘ol days before long.
Hi Min
I didn’t have one of those though I did sew all my dolls clothes then eventually made my own. My mother was not good at sewing. So, it was a matter of having too or landed up wearing clothes that would make me not want to step out the door 🙂 Thanks for the memories 🙂 Have a good day.
Hi Suzanne – sounds like you were very creative! My mother was and is a very good sewer. I remember that my grandmother knitted a heap of clothes for my dolls which was a very big thrill! 🙂
Hi, Min – I didn’t have a Fashion Plate set as a child. I’m not sure that I was aware of them.
But I did dress my barbies in some very crazy outfits. Good thing that the fashion world was saved from my lack of talent here. 😀
#MLSTL
Hi Donna – I loved dressing up my Barbies and actually LOVED playing with Barbies. I recall being so disappointed that my daughter was never a Barbie fan! 😉
I’ve never seen them before Min – the closest I came was those little cardboard dolls with the paper clothes with tabs on that you folded over their shoulders (https://www.pinterest.com.au/pin/566257353145469158/?lp=true) I had a lot of fun with those, so Fashion Plates would have been well used I’m sure!
Thanks for linking up with us at MLSTL and I’ve shared on my SM 🙂
I loved those cardboard dolls with the paper clothes too Leanne and I spent ages playing with those. I wonder if that kind of activity would satisfy the little girls of today? xo
I don’t necessarily remember these for me, but I have four daughters and they all loved them! I also had them at the preschool I ran. Always a huge favorite!
Great to hear of others who’ve enjoyed them too Theresa!
Oh, how fun! Thank you for the flashback! I am tempted to order a set for me right now!! My inner child beckons!! Thank you for this fun blog post!!
Go for it Barbie. Why not? I still enjoy colouring in and do it sometimes when I need some quiet chill out time!
Hi Min, I didn’t have this but I had something like a cardboard cut out model and paper clothes that you would mix and match. I loved my Barbies and Mum used to make lovely clothes for them. They even had their own wardrobe with coathangers. Thanks for a blast from the past and sharing at #MLSTL. xx
I had the cardboard cut out models with paper clothes with tabs too Sue and loved it! Isn’t it amazing the simple things that would thrill us and keep us occupied as children. xo
Oh, man, Min, did this bring back memories. I had the fashion plates and remember loving them!
#MLSTL
I’m so glad to have jogged some fond memories Nancy! 🙂 xo
Hi Min. I think I remember Fashion Plates. I think I’ll look into getting these for my granddaughters. Thanks for sharing.
I’m sure your granddaughters would love it Christina! 🙂