Before getting to the individual items/collections, a quick word on the store's new look and AG's new packaging. The packages have definitely been changing slowly over the last year or so, but it was quite obvious to see them all this time. Wish I'd gotten some more photos of the general displays, but we are going back down near there next week, and I'll take some more pictures.
A quick word on the new TM headbands (photos in slideshow above). They were out of the Unicorn headband, but there were plenty of the crown and colored pom-pom varieties. The crown headband was a joke. We were there to buy two and came home with none. It's just a cardboard crown with gold glitter paper or covering of some kind. The little tulle decoration is smooshed into the plastic bag package and doesn't look like it will ever relax quite back to normal.
Back to displays, down the center area of the store they had lined up the shelves that have all the store exclusive and doll-care items. Everything packed in the same bright red/pink as the packages above.
All the doll displays had long rows of the little boxes holding the normal GOTY, Historical and TM sets. While the shapes are the same as they used to be, they now all have the very bright color and large photos of items included. With the new COVID restrictions, they've changed the store have only one entrance/exit area, and when you walk in you stare right at a big display of Courtney's stuff, with her bed on top and rows of those red/pink hanging packages.
This is also where the new Shine On shoes were, though you had to ask an associate to get you a pair. They were displayed on a doll and did not feel very great. Thin vinyl tops and lightweight plastic soles with the lights in them. The new grey AG shirt for dolls is amazing! We bought two of them, and they match the new knitted sneakers really well -- would also look great with Courtney's high-tops!
I will get some more photos of the large display areas, but we hadn't really put anything together in our minds 'til getting back in the car. It really looks like AG is gearing up to put their merchandise into a large store of some kind. You could really see how they could end up with mini stores/areas in Kohl's or some place -- like Sephora just announced they're doing.
Anyway, those are some thoughts on displays and packaging. Will get some more photos next week. Now, on to the new items and sets!
Truly Me International Travel Outfits
The fabrics used in these outfits is pretty thin, though it varies a bit. They all fit the new dolls really well, but they don't look like they'd stretch to an older PC doll at all . . . and possibly a bit of trouble on some of the early Mattel bodies. You get a lot of pieces in the Irish outfit, which made the $36 worth it. The Italian outfit is $34, but you only get a dress, sandals and straw hat. It's the same type of hat that came with the "Sun and Fun" outfit for boys. The sandals are very cute. But the price seems high for so few (and such simple) pieces.
Loved the sandals with the Japanese outfit. It's a set that will probably appeal to a lot of girls. The fabrics were a bit thin (pants would definitely wrinkle), but they looked decent on the doll.
The beret for the French outfit seems to fit on all the display dolls. The shoes were too small to really fit on with the tights included with the outfit, and every display doll was really stretching them out.
Poor UK . . . this outfit was disappointing and didn't look any better in real life. It's a thin cotton dress with a very thin vinyl belt. The hat didn't fit any one of the display dolls there.
Truly Me International Travel Accessories
Fiercely You Mix-and-Match
New Wig Fiber
The colored hair on TM #87 and the light pink CYO wig were also the new thin fiber. I've only ever seen photos of these wigs online, but we were surprised to see the white (or are they super light pink) hairs running through the wig. #87's hair looks like a sort of poor dye job with those white streaks in it, though the stock photos don't look like that. I took multiple photos of her wig, just in case anyone is trying to decide on a colored hair doll.
Courtney's Collection
So, that winds up the photos from this trip. Planning on being near there next week and will stop in for more photos. If anyone wants to know about something in particular, just let me know.