Eighteen inch soft bodied play dolls have become increasingly popular due to the success of the American Girl doll line. While I find it very interesting to see the different variations that are in the 18″ doll space, I think the inspiration and stories behind each one are even more interesting. This is especially true with the PenPalGirls brand. The PenPalGirls doll company came about in 2010 when their founder realized her two daughters were not aware of their cultural heritage and wanted to create a line of dolls that would help girls understand their own cultures as well as others from all over the globe. One of the things I fell in love with immediately is that PenPalGirls was not afraid to share their journey from concept, to disastrous first results to a final product. Take a look at the progression of their doll faces here. I don’t know about you, but I find that pretty cool!
I was recently given the opportunity to review a PenPalGirls doll and two outfits as well.
The doll arrived in her box which is decorated to look like an Air Mail package – since the underlying theme of the line is pen pals and world travel, I found it very fitting!
Inside the box were two postcards with product information and two more “Air Mail” envelopes that the doll’s outfits are in. The envelopes are plastic and are sturdy enough to keep and store your doll’s clothes or mementos in. I really like the fact that the team at PenPalGirls has looked beyond the doll and even her clothes and is developing a complete brand.
Naked doll alert! Yikes, the poor girl arrived with nothing on. I do wish they would have shipped her at least in undies and a cami. From first glance, Cady, who is from China (according to the PPG website) is very sweet looking. She has nice eyes and a pleasant look to her. Her skin is dramatically paler than many of the other 18″ dolls and the vinyl in her face and limbs is a little harder than AG.
Cady’s head is attached using a neck string and she has a flower stamp at the base of her neck. Her hair is wigged and I am not sure if it was just mine, but it seemed like there was a lot of excess glue in the front. Her hair is long with a slight curl to it and there are lots of super short pieces near the base of the wig. Actually, the wig is the only part of the doll that doesn’t quite seem right to me yet – the top of her hair is almost flattened to her head and pulling her hair back into a ponytail just doesn’t look right. Two low ponytails, two french braids and style using hair clips look good, just not the single ponytail.
One thing I noticed right away is that the PenPalGirl has very pale coloring – Kit looks like she has been on the beach all day, in comparison. Cady’s hips are also much narrower and her legs are slightly thinner than her American Girl cousin. While this doesn’t seem to affect the way the PenPalGirls clothes fit American Girl dolls, I just thought you might want to know.
Now let’s get some clothes on this girl before she freezes – it’s a lot cooler in Virginia this time of year that it is in sunny California!
I think Cady looks very grown up in her purple striped dress. The pink heart is embroidered on the front and she is wearing the matching sparkly purple flats. The dress is well made and feels like nice quality jersey. The PenPalGirls clothes definitely have a different look to them – more international, which again, falls in line with their branding.
The second outfit they sent me is a gold trimmed separates set and I just knew right away it was going to look great on Ivy. It is truly a cross between European style, Asian influence and American fun. The long sleeved top has gold trim and Ivy almost looks like Cleopatra wearing it. It comes with fine wale corduroy shorts that are ruffled on the edges – again fun and fashion combined. She wears the shorts with detailed black lace tights and some fun gold fur lined boots with black tips. All four pieces are well made and are a nice addition to the doll clothes in our current collection.
Ivy and Cady have become new friends quickly and have been comparing notes about their adventures growing up in America while celebrating aspects of their Chinese heritage, too!
The PenPalGirls dolls are currently available as Cady (China) and Emma (UK) who is just the blonde version of Cady. The dolls sell for $85 which includes the purple striped dress and shoes. The outfits range from $20-38 depending on whether it is a basic one or more detailed. As of now they are only sold on the PenPalGirls website.
Another thing I really like about the team at PPG is that they really seem to have invested in creating an online destination and resource to add interest to their brand, from online games to an interactive map, to teaching girls about the food and cultures in different countries and blog entries from the dolls and their “girls”, there is quite a bit to do on the site and it definitely invites you back.
SPECIAL OFFER: This just in. If you enter “dolldiaries” in the instructions box at the end of the order process on the PenPalGirls website you can receive an extra outfit (valued at $28).
I look forward to more from the PenPalGirls and wish them success as I do think their doll line is unique, was well thought out and their dolls make great friends for all your other 18″ friends!
firstie
Secondie
Are you going to do a giveaway for one?
thirdie
Thirdie! Wow, I really love her! I also love the outfit.
Fourthie! Ooh, Ivy, you look stellar!
Lydia – I do not have a giveaway for them scheduled yet, but maybe closer to the holidays.
cute id consider getting one
Very pretty. I love her face!
I found out about these dolls a few days ago… then spent 3 hours playing on their website.
The dolls are cute, but their faces don’t really appeal to me (probably the nose) in online photos. I think I’d have to see one in person to really make a call. The clothes though… can I get them in my size?
I love her! Char I found the mobile version and I am on my iPod
Cute! I want one!
Hi I found a cute line of 18′ dolls called “My disney girl” and are only avalible at disney world/disneyland and I think online at shopdisney.com please check it out!
Oops sorry that is not a real site i guess just go on disney.com and find the shopping!
I have a my disney girl. They are really cute.
This doll is really cute, I love the clothes!
Wow! I just checked out the website, and I absolutely love their clothes! I really want the sailor school uniform one. And I’m so glad you reviewed their company and items. Usually, I don’t trust an unknown or new brand unless I see positive reviews first, so now I think I’m going to give Pen Pal Girls a try!
I really like Phase 3 if they drew on the eyebrows a little lower. The multiple teeth showing is really original. These dolls look just like Springfield Collection dolls, just for much more money. I don’t know how they “feel”, I would have to see one in person, but the reason why AG is worth spending the money on is the high quality. I wouldn’t pay this much for this doll.
so cute im thinking mabey one for b-day
I love the concept, but something about the face bothers me. I will have to wait and see how I feel about them later before I buy one.
i don’t know if I’m so crazy about their faces. especially their eyes and their noses and their smiles. The smile kinda creeps me out. It reminds me of some one forcing a smile onto their face.
Why is there only two?
O and LOVE THIS! char please do reviews more often!
I happen to like the Phase 3 better as well. It looks more like a real little girl. This one reminds me of another doll I had (and have now) when I was a kid named Aimee. She was an 18″ fashion hair play doll from Hasbro toys: http://crissyandbeth.com/Aimee.html , But the PPG has a bigger nose, I think.
Interesting, but she doesn’t really look like she’s from China?
I love the packaging-very creative and I agree with Char that she definitely needs some clothes! A simple logo dress would be nice. Enjoyed the review.
I agree with Mia B. The Cady doll does not look very Chinese… Unless she’s actually supposed to be biracial, but I’m not sure… :/
How cute! I love the packaging! Char, Ivy does look like Cleopatra wearing that outfit!!!
The short little hair are probably meant to be there. American Girl dolls have the same exact thing all over their heads. It’s lines of short hair specifically sewed into the wig so the wig cap doesn’t show when the hair is styled. Like the short hairs on the back of Kirsten’s head because her signature style is braids. Some have more than others. Julie doesn’t have too many so you have to do a zig zag part when putting her in pig tails.
I like the concept, but I agree that the face doesn’t seem quite right yet. It’s okay, but it doesn’t really stand out to me. And I agree with Mia B. and Venus– Cady doesn’t really look Chinese.
I do like that her skin is fairer, though– so many “fair-skinned” dolls are closer to a tan color. Not that I mind the tan color, but I like to see more variation in doll skin tones– not all dolls have to have a Barbie tan to be attractive.
Haha, Ivy really does looke like Cleopatra in that outfit!
Maybe that’s who she should be for Halloween! 
Venus – yes, I think Cady is supposed to be bi-racial as inspired by the creator’s own daughter.
Aubrey – most likely because the company is relatively new.
I love her! She and ivy are like sisters!
I find if funny that they arrive with no clothes on but I love the doll
Char I was gust on the fabric softener hair thing does it work with curly ag mine is really bad
This is really cute char!!
cute!
I love that gold outfit, does it come in a girl size?
I was a bit dissapointed that there where only two diffrent dolls in this brand, but other than that their adorable!
I think that the packaging is very original and cool. There are so many 18” soft bodied dolls now!
I also think that you should do a giveaway for one of these dolls, that would be great!
Ivy really does look like Cleopatra! I think Ivy looks cute in everything she wears. : )
The photo of just Ivy is such a good picture!
I never heard of this company before!!
WOW, their doll clothes are so cute!!! Can you pleeeeeeeeaaaasse do a giveaway? By the way, you didn’t do Wilde Wednesday:(
Claire – sorry about Wilde Wednesday this week. Natalie was home from school sick and I just never got to it. It will be back next week.