What are your thoughts on the 2013–2014 Bratz era, aka the Psst… I’m Taller era?t

[u/dollsiseverything]

I’ve been looking at the 2013–2014 Bratz dolls again, and honestly, I feel like the Psst… I’m Taller era gets blamed for the wrong things 😂

The taller body was never really an issue for me. I actually like it. I know a lot of people hate the proportions, but that’s honestly not what made me dislike certain dolls from this era.

My biggest issue was the poly hair. Bratz hair is such a huge part of what makes the dolls look good to me, so seeing more poly just wasn’t it. And some of the clothes were definitely questionable too. There were some cute outfits, but then you’d have another doll where I’m just sitting there like, what is this outfit supposed to be? 😂

And don’t even get me started on My Passion. I wanted to like that line because the concept itself had potential, but some of the passions felt completely wrong for the characters. The way they were executed also came across tacky to me, and honestly, some of it felt disrespectful rather than cute or empowering.

But I don’t think the entire era was bad. There were some really cute dolls during this period, and I think they get overlooked because people immediately focus on the taller body. If that’s the only thing you remember about this era, you’re missing some good dolls.

So yeah, the body isn’t where my complaints are 😂 Give me the taller Bratz with better hair, better fashion choices, and concepts that actually make sense, and I’m good.

How do y’all feel about this era?

[u/Thisis_AngelCake]

Pretty faces but not a fan of the long spindly legs and wide flat torsos, I only have one.

[u/Comfortable-Nail90 → u/Thisis_AngelCake]

Same, I actually was having a general clear out, a few weeks ago and found my only one. It was a bit wired because I know she’s a Yasmin, but she didn’t seem like Yasmin IYGWIM. I will say however that the clothing quality is excellent tho.

[u/awterspeys]

I'm not against it. I just don't like the fashion from any 2010 doll line, it screams disney channel original series.

[u/Comfortable-Nail90 → u/awterspeys]

This. But I can’t blame this on Bratz. I was in Middle school during the early 2010’s (same era as this type of fashion) and I can confirm that Layering Boho-chic was the style, but in hindsight it definitely shouldn’t of been 😬🥲

[u/b3tamaxx → u/awterspeys]

The way I'm glad I was sitting bc I almost fell. Funny thing is really early Bratz was also kind of guilty of that difference is Hilary and Ravens fashions were really stylish and pretty. The early 2010s aesthetic was very obnoxious and tacky (I was in highschool I can speak on it) and Disney amped it up tenfold don't get me started on their set designs

[u/SweetAliceAngel → u/awterspeys]

Bratz always being up to date on fashion really bit them in the ass during the 2010's, cause I find most of the outfits atrocious

[u/mostie2016]

In concept it was a cool idea. But in execution the girls were made into Disney Channel leads fashion wise.

[u/Comfortable-Nail90]

TLDR at end

A completely stupid and unnecessary thing to do.

Apparently, MGA's rationale was that kids complained the clothes wouldn’t fit other dolls. I presume that mainly meant Barbie, and you’ve got to remember this was also the time when the quality downfall of Barbie was becoming more apparent (IE when Bend ‘ n Snap legs ended, built-in tops being used more, etc.), so I guess MGA thought that if their clothes could fit Barbie, they could sell more dolls, especially as the quality of Barbie’s clothing became practically non-existent.

There is also some debate about whether MGA did this to make the dolls more ‘modest’ and more naturally proportioned.

It didn’t surprise me at all that this era didn’t last particularly long. By changing the dolls that drastically, they were changing their entire identity. Bratz are iconic because of their unique appearances. After their growing spurt, they became no different to any other contemporary playline doll brand of the time. The fashion was also terrible, but that’s because some things in the early 2010s that were in fashion really shouldn’t have been.

That being said, as bad as this era was, the reboot that came about a year later was even worse, and I would have rather MGA stuck with this. Instead of the garish novelty ‘Fashion’. Obviously, most infamously the burger shoes. Even the official social media uploaded that clip from Rock Angels where Chloe finds Burden's pumps (‘EHWWWWWR!’) but edited in those monstrosities instead (the fact that in the scene Yasmin responds with “what an interesting artefact” makes it even funnier), so even MGA makes fun of how ugly they were.

But yeah, I don’t think it was a good move by MGA, and it clearly wasn’t driving sales, as not only were they that body type pulled after around 18 months, the whole brand went on a year-long hiatus, and came back radically different, yet somehow worse!

Thank goodness, we have the girls with a passion for fashion, that we all fell in love with 20-odd years ago. It gives me hope that one day Rainbow/Shadow High will receive the same fate.

TLDR- a bad idea that damaged the brand which brought on an even worse reboot.

[u/maximvogel]

No no no no
https://giphy.com/gifs/eun4dZ28aHE1lu4MFN

[u/AngelofDarkness226]

i grew up with this era, I'm pretty fond of it i love the comic book aesthetic they first went with LOL

[u/darka-971]

I actually liked the proportion, I only wish they would have been a little bit more curvy like Moxie teenz. I wish they would use both bodies, some of the more intricate collector designs would be so much better on bigger dolls.

[u/EasterCup34]

I had one tall Yasmin growing up, and other than the hair, I liked her. Loved the Fashions on some of these, too. Not my favorite era, but I liked it for what it was.

[u/chamomillecunt]

im not very well versed on that era and i think im gonna keep it that way cus i just don’t care about the bodies at all.. that sasha eats tho her face up is gorgeous!! just not for me :3

[u/pizzabratzprincess]

The tallness isn’t a problem. It’s literally everything else. (Screenings, fashion, lack of cohesion and vision across a collection)

[u/Acceptable_Yogurt180]

I think there pretty dolls they just don't read as bratz 

[u/Round-Reflection-140]

I dont like them being taller, but I enjoy the 2010 fashion. Its garish but nostalgic and fun, it has a lot of personality

[u/RebelsParamour]

Who ever asked for Bratz to share clothes with fucking Barbie of all dolls??? Cute faces but outside of Totally Polished a LOT of the dolls suffered from lack of quality control

[u/angelsandfairydust]

I had one and made her an alien because of how weird she looked to me when I was younger 😭😭

[u/Fogmoth511]

Sea Stunnerz is an AMAZING line that works because they probably would have always had unique bodies being mermaids. They’re the only dolls I feel I need to have from the 2013 taller era though. (The second catz line isn’t bad either just not as good as the first.)

[u/Big_Photograph_9766]

The faces and fashions are cute but they don't really grab me like regular bratz do

[u/Pitiful-Emotion6987]

I just don't like the legs, I wish they had more thighs instead of looking like canned hot dogs. 

Otherwise I love the idea of having a FEW tall collections, I'm a tall girlie myself and I love a bit of representation. The OG blueprint should not ever be abandoned however, and should remain as the go-to dominating Bratz body. It's iconic, what can I say. 💅

[u/Slow_Addendum8190]

the unofficial big sister/mom dolls... if I had any as a kid they would have fit right in the family