Test Market Skippers are some of the most endearing Skipper dolls on the market. But how do you spot one in the wild? There are a few key characteristics that Test Market Skippers have. Once you know those, it’s pretty easy to separate the earliest of Skipper dolls from your basic vintage straight leg Skipper from 1964-65.

Before we get into that, however, let’s talk about what Test Market Skippers are. Test Market Skippers, also called prototype or sample dolls, are some of the earliest Skipper dolls produced. They are not, technically, prototypes, just very early editions of Barbie’s little sister. (If you missed it, check out this post about my reproduction prototype Skipper doll.) Because of this, some could have been salesman samples, but most of what you’ll see was actually boxed up and put on toy shelves for people to buy.

I have a few Test Market Skippers in my collection and, let me tell you, they’re the sweetest looking classic Skipper dolls around. Let’s start with a test. Look at the four Skipper dolls below. Without knowing any of the characteristics to look for in a Test Market Skipper, which do you think looks different among them? Remember your guess. We’ll do this all again at the end of the post.

Identifying a Test Market Skipper

Test Market Skippers generally have five characteristics that make them stand out among other straight leg dolls, making them pretty easy to spot at a doll show or online. First, if you’re curious if a doll is a Test Market Skipper, look at the soles of her feet. If it says JAPAN in large letters going down her foot, you are looking at a Test Market doll. A normal straight leg Skipper will have Japan written across the ball of her foot.

Second, look at their stance. Are the dolls feet pretty close together or does the doll have a wide stance? If a doll’s stance is wide, you are looking at a Test Market Skipper. Generally, normal Skipper dolls have feet that are 1.02 inches apart, whereas Test Market dolls can vary from 1.42 inches to 1.81 inches apart. You’ll most likely see dolls with the shorter wide stance than the wider one, which is rarer.

Changing the leg width makes Skipper taller. Speaking of which, the third thing to look at is height. The legs on a Test Market doll are 0.2 inches shorter than your typical straight leg Skipper. The height difference is noticeable when compared to a traditional straight leg Skipper.

The fourth characteristic is their bangs. Test Market Skippers have shorter bangs with two rows of hair plugs. Compared to the usual vintage Skipper, you may think a Test Market Skippers bangs have been trimmed. In actuality, they were cut that way in the factory. I think the short bangs are really pretty on these dolls, especially when you consider the fifth difference between Test Market dolls and normal straight leg Skippers.

The final visual characteristic that is seen without too much investigation is the sweet, more childlike face paint. Test Market Skippers have more youthful faces than normal straight leg Skipper dolls. Their face paint is more delicate than the majority of the 64-65 Skipper dolls. Compared to normal Skipper dolls from that time, they look younger and have more expression to them.

On a similar note, you may find Test Market dolls to have a more natural, less shiny hair color than straight leg Skippers, which will also stand out to you pretty easily when faced with the question of whether or not a doll is a test market Skipper or not.

If you have time to really examine the Skipper doll you’re looking at, you’ll also want to check around the rim of the head for head markings. If you see any head markings, you’re looking at a traditional straight leg Skipper. Test Market dolls do not have head markings on the rim around their head.

Keep in mind, kids swapped bodies and heads on dolls all the time, as did Mattel, so you may find a Test Market head on the typical straight leg body or a test market body with a normal Skipper head. I have one full Test Market Skipper and one that is a hybrid with a Test Market head, but traditional body. I love them both!

Now, Which is the Test Market Skipper?

Let’s look at the picture from earlier again. Now that you know a few key differences between Test Market Skippers and normal straight leg Skippers, which one is the test market?

If you guessed the blonde 3rd from the left, you’re right! That is a Test Market Skipper. Good job! While you can’t see her foot or neck markings here, her wide stance, sweet face, height and natural hair are a dead giveaway that she is more than your average Skipper doll.

Remember these key characteristics next doll show and maybe you’ll spot a Test Market Skipper for your collection! Do you own a Test Market Skipper? Let us know in the comment area!

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