As an adult, I’ve always been puzzled by the trend of dressing like childhood dolls. The frilly Peter Pan collars and lace trim never appealed to me, even when I was young enough to embrace them. However, recently I’ve experienced a shift in my fashion sense. I find myself drawn to incorporating details that once repelled me, but with a twist. Instead of emulating pristine dolls like Madame Alexander, I’m inspired by the eerie charm of haunted thrift store dolls. These dolls, with their glassy eyes and tattered dresses, exude a sense of mystery and time-worn beauty.
This fascination with haunted doll fashion isn’t unique to me. Designers have been embracing this aesthetic in recent seasons, offering collections that mirror the haunting allure of these dolls. From Chemena Kamali’s billowing pantaloons at Chloé to Seà n McGirr’s shredded hems at McQueen, the trend is evident on runways worldwide. In New York, designers like Zoe Gustavia Anna Whelan and Colleen Allen have also embraced the weathered doll aesthetic, creating deconstructed styles and Victorian silhouettes reminiscent of discarded dolls.
Even the mass market has caught on to the haunted doll trend, with brands like Free People offering lace-trimmed bloomer pants as a more affordable option. The allure of these clothes lies in their imperfections and weathered charm, a stark contrast to the pristine image of traditional dolls.
One iconic figure who embodies the essence of a haunted doll is Miss Havisham from Charles Dickens’ “Great Expectations.” Jilted at the altar, she spends her days in a decaying wedding dress, surrounded by cobwebs and untouched banquets. Helena Bonham Carter’s portrayal of Miss Havisham in the 2012 film perfectly captures this haunting beauty, with her voluminous wedding gown and bedraggled sleeves.
Clothes have a way of expressing our emotions and desires, and dressing like a haunted doll allows us to wear our hearts on our sleeves. It’s a reminder that beauty doesn’t always have to be polished and perfect; there is a unique charm in embracing the imperfect. While I may not have been keen on matching outfits with my American Girl Doll as a child, as an adult, I find inspiration in the haunting beauty of dolls left to the elements.
