Now normally, I don't like cheap Barbie knockoffs. They're just that: cheap. The dolls are cheap, the clothes are cheap and they just don't look right. There was one exception to my rule though. In 1999, Toys R Us released a line of dolls that, while cheap, were so much fun!
Real Friends, a Toys R Us exclusive, consisted of a line of four dolls, Brandi, Tanisha, Maya and Jessie. They were released in a regular set for $6.99 and a deluxe set for $8.99. The beauty of these dolls, even though they were cheap, was the "magically changing outfit". Each doll had outfits, which could be changed somehow to become something else. So while the doll was dressed one way, a piece could be added or it could be turned inside out to become something else. Genius, really.
The deluxe dolls included pieces so you could make at least three outfits out of it, while the regular dolls could make at least two different outfits. I really love this feature and this is what makes these some of my favorite dolls. The deluxe dolls also included a headband for a little girl, since all of the dolls came with them.
I was able to get seven of the dolls while they were in the stores, but one has eluded me ever since. I'm not even sure the doll was made, but I really hope so and I hope to be able to get her one day.
I'll start with my least favorite doll. Her name is Brandi and the blurb on the back of the box reads: "I'm Brandi...I love sports. I'm really good at skating, swimming and skiing. I was just elected Prom Queen!" The regular doll could be changed from a lifeguard to a skier, while the deluxe doll could be changed from a skater to a princess to a ballerina.
While I was taking these pictures, I noticed the hair on both of the dolls was shedding something fierce! She was the only one to do this and it was both dolls. I'm not sure why.
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| Skier Brandi - the boots snap into the skis |
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| Lifeguard Brandi - the skier jacket reverses into the lifeguard jacket |
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| Lifeguard Brandi |
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| Brandi's clothes and accessories - I've turned half the jacket inside out so you can see the difference. |
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| The picture on Brandi's insert. The prototype is definitely a higher quality doll and it shows a whistle around her neck, not a triangle necklace. |
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| Deluxe Brandi - the base of all of her outfits |
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| Ballerina Brandi - I didn't fasten the shoes as I didn't want them to break |
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| Skater Brandi - just the ballerina outfit minus the tutu |
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| Princess Brandi (or Prom Queen according to her blurb) |
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| Brandi's clothing and accessories - Not a lot of things to mix up, but still kinda cute |
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| Ballerina Brandi on the insert - Love her hair! Bet it wouldn't shed! |
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| Skater Brandi - you can tell the arms and legs are more Basic Barbie like than the actual doll. Such a shame, but I'm sure more cost effective. |
My next least favorite doll (or would that be third favorite?) is Tanisha. It's not that I don't like her, but she didn't have as much flexibility clothes-wise as the other two. Tanisha was actually quite lovely. According to her blurb, she says, "I'm Tanisha...I love playing tennis and dancing. When I start my career, I'm going to hold all my meetings on the tennis court." The regular doll could be changed from tennis star to party time while the deluxe doll could be changed from a busy executive to dance star to glamour girl.
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| Tanisha - tennis player. She also came with two rackets and a tennis ball. |
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| Tanisha in her tennis dress. The illustrations on the side of the package show her wearing this dress both with the gold insert and without, but I've never been able to figure that one out. |
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| Tanisha in her party dress. Her tennis bag turns inside out to become her gold mesh party bag. |
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| Tanisha's clothing and accessories - I love they were able to use the Barbie mold for the sneakers as they can fit over socks. |
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| Tennis Tanisha on the insert - I love the curl coming out of the visor and she has such a sweet face. |
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| Glamour Girl Tanisha - the feathers on the boa were EVERYWHERE! |
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| Business executive Tanisha - as you can see, the jacket is a little too snug |
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Business executive Tanisha without the jacket so you can see the detail of the skirt.
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| Ballerina Tanisha - I didn't fasten the shoes as I didn't want to break them. |
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| Tanisha's dress can be long... |
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| or short! |
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| Tanisha's clothing and accessories - the boa was in the bag due to the flying feathers. |
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| Business executive Tanisha on the insert |
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| Ballerina Tanisha on the insert - once again, loving that curl! |
My next favorite doll is Maya. Her blurb reads, "I'm Maya...Hola! I love being outside, tossing a disc or playing soccer. After practice, let's try out some new dance moves." The regular doll can be changed from bell bottoms to today's hip leopard while the deluxe doll can be changed from soccer star to dance queen to school time! The deluxe doll features one of the best accessories in this set.
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| School time Maya - she looks so sweet with the bow in her hair |
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| Soccer Maya |
Finally, we come to my favorite doll of the bunch. I think she is my favorite because I love her colors and her school outfit. Unfortunately, I've never been able to find the regular version of her, so I only have the deluxe version. From what I've gathered, the regular doll should feature hiking and shopping as her blurb reads, "I'm Jessie...the "girl-next-door". I love hiking, dancing and shipping. Let's catch a movie then hit the mall to try on the latest makeup."
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| Photo of regular Jessie from the back of the box - You can see a bag, binoculars and a hair attachment with two different colored braids. |
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| Dance Jessie - I love the silver outfit with the pink highlights |
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