- On Thursday,
TikTok user Colleen Boggs shared a video in which she compared her currentstyle to that of theAmerican Girl doll she had growing up. - In her video, she wore a retro halter top, flared jeans, and a bandana, all of which resemble the clothing worn by the brand's '70s-inspired doll Julie Albright.
- Speaking to Insider, Boggs said her American Girl doll has undoubtedly influenced her outfits throughout the years, even when she "didn't even realize it."
- Now others are sharing how their own
fashion sense has been influenced by their childhooddolls .
American Girl has been popular amongst children since the company was founded in 1986. In 2020, however, the brand is being embraced by members of Gen Z on TikTok.
On Thursday, TikTok user Colleen Boggs posted a video in which she showed photos of the American Girl doll she had as a child. The doll, named Julie Albright, is featured in the brand's historical collection, and represents the 1970s. As the song "Twin Size Mattress" by The Front Bottoms plays in the background, Boggs appears on the screen dressed in 70s-inspired attire, singing the line: "It's no big surprise you turned out this way."
Her video has since inspired a growing trend in which others on the platform are showing how American Girls have influenced their styles as young adults.
@colleenboggs old trend but I thought of this last night and it’s so true ##fyp ##foryou ##hippie ##greenscreen ##americangirl ##hippielife
♬ Twin Size Mattress - The Front Bottoms
TikTok user Colleen Boggs told Insider that her American Girl doll has likely influenced her style, even when she 'didn't even realize it'
Speaking to Insider, Boggs said she isn't entirely sure how she came up with her American Girl-inspired TikTok video.
"I was just hanging out and the idea popped into my head," Boggs said. "I remember seeing lots of TikToks using that same song and general concept a few months ago — I even made one myself about a different topic — so I figured I'd bring back the trend with a little twist."
However, she is certain of one thing: that her Julie doll has played a role in her fashion sense as she's gotten older.
"I think my American Girl doll definitely introduced me to the style of the '70s, and that probably stuck with me even though I didn't even realize it," Boggs said. "I also think that my mom may have had something to do with it because she's always had a hippie-like style, and she picked the doll out for me."
"Since I've noticed the connection, I've definitely been more inspired by all my old doll outfits when I pick out my own clothes," she added.
@colleenboggs can u tell I love flared pants? ☮️ ##fyp ##foryou ##thriftedoutfits ##thrifted ##hippie ##outfitinspiration ##hippielife ##ootd
♬ Pumped Up Kicks（Bridge & Law Remix） - Foster The People
Boggs told Insider that she's been "overwhelmed" by how many people have reached out to her in response to her TikTok video. She said it's been especially fun to read comments from people who say they can relate.
"I had Kit and she definitely influenced so much about me and my style," one person commented on Boggs' video.
"Omg I never thought about this but it explains it all" another TikTok user wrote.
Though Boggs noted that it's been "so long" since she's played with American Girl dolls, she completely understands why she and others her age are getting nostalgic about the
"I think it's so awesome to see other people relate to my TikToks and make their own versions," she said. "It's been so long since I've played with those dolls, but they were such a major part of my childhood. I think that's the case for lots of other people my age because American Girl dolls were so popular when we were all younger."
Her American Girl video has since inspired others to show their doll-inspired fashion
TikTok user @pay10outof10, for example, shared a similar video in which she compared her style to that of the American Girl doll Samantha Parkington.
@pay10outof10 ##duet with @colleenboggs ##greenscreen samantha will forever be my role model ##americangirl ##fyp ##foryoupage
♬ Twin Size Mattress - The Front Bottoms
Others showed how their fashion has been influenced by the historical dolls Caroline and Kit Kittredge.
@carolineebeckham @pay10outof10 this is wild
♬ Twin Size Mattress - The Front Bottoms
@kaleighj.mp3 when i was 6 i cut my hair to look like her- ##GimmeLove ##ReadingList ##fyp ##xyzbca ##americangirldoll ##kitkittridge
♬ Twin Size Mattress - The Front Bottoms
In a statement sent to Insider, a representative for American Girl said the company "always strives to help girls grow up with confidence and character, and these videos epitomize that sensibility!"
"Doll fashions are a beloved part of the American Girl experience, inspiring our fans of all ages to use them as a springboard for creative and imaginative play," the representative said. "We love seeing how our historical dolls have continued to inspire fans' fashions throughout the years!"
- Read more:
- I visited the American Girl Place as an adult, and I can't believe how much it's changed since I was a kid
- Photos of American Girl dolls buying toilet paper and social distancing show how parents are helping their children make sense of the coronavirus
- How American Girl went from a mail-order doll-maker to a toy empire by selling $100 dolls with compelling stories
- American Girl just introduced its first doll with a physical disability and named her 2020 'Girl of the Year'