Put on some Natalie Imbruglia and grab your Lisa Frank notebook, you're about to feel torn. Moms who grew up in the '80s and '90s might have some mixed emotions over the latest additions to the American Girl historical collection. Tween girls, Isabel and Nicki Hoffman, hail straight from the '90s, and are AG’s first ever twin characters.
Through their story, they “thrive individually … (they) also have to learn how to get along and support one another.” Their story takes place in Seattle, Washington, in the year — I need a dramatic pause, here — 1999. One Instagram user noted her distress at their historical status writing, “I graduated in 99 and now I am unwell.”
Another was in a bit more denial: “1999 is NOT HISTORICAL. Now if you need me, I’ll be having dinner at 4:30p, watching Matlock, and falling asleep to Wheel of Fortune. #GetOffMyLawn.”
Let’s take a breath, and remind ourselves that we're clearly still living 10 years in the past.
Blah, blah, blah … girl power.
As a mom, doll lover, and '90s kid, these dolls have me smiling. The Isabel Hoffman doll looks like she graduated from the Cher Horowitz school of fashion — she likes pop music, party planning, and interior design.
Blue-eyed Nicki is a passionate skateboarder who writes song lyrics, and creates 'zines. And of course, they are both all about girl power.
Isabel, embraces the Spice Girls, “expressing herself loudly, and standing up for herself.” Nicki defines it as “learning to use her voice, not being afraid to mess up, and the alternative music she loves.” Each twin wields her girl power her way, because it’s based on the individual.
The girls — and women — gotta have it.
The dolls' accessories are triggering nostalgia across social media. Of course the characters participate in Pizza Hut BOOK IT! and the set is on point.
“The BOOK IT set! I love it,” one Twitter user wrote. “I’m in awe of the Pizza Hut X American Girl accessory set, which includes a doll-sized version of THE CUP.”
But Isabel and Nicki's accessories don’t end there. They have the prerequisite inflatable chair, computer desk with PC, and a cordless phone. I can almost hear the not-so-melodic tones of a dial-up connection.
And it's all inspired a highly relatable Twitter exchange.
“The new American girl doll is from the 90s and I am LOSING MY MIND,” one user wrote. "I need all of it."
"I can't buy this for myself right?" another wondered. "Like what would be insane.”
And like any good two-dimensional support system, she was encouraged to do it.
A third commenter shared: “FOR REAL I almost ordered it this morning.”
Nostalgia wins.
While the historical label is definitely a shock to our collective consciousness, these dolls are an opportunity to recapture that feeling of reading to earn a free pizza or of scouring the Delia's catalog and falling desperately in love with an inflatable pink couch, much to the chagrin of your family.
American Girl dolls, Isabel and Nicki, are an opportunity to connect with your doll-loving kids and share in a three-dimensional sense who their parents were in a younger time as littles, kids, or even young adults.
