In case you haven't heard, childhood is all the rage right now. Whether it's toy-inspired jewelry, kiddie-chic editorials, or paper dolls straight off the runway, it seems like the best years of our lives are suddenly cool again. With nostalgia on tap for the season, we went digging in the vault and came up with a list of six animated leading ladies whose wardrobes we still wouldn't mind raiding today.
Carmen Sandiego—This "sticky-fingered filcher" clearly had a penchant for the dramatic, regularly orchestrating ridiculously grand larceny all over the world - her henchmen once snatched the Liberty Bell - while working it in an eternally chic ensemble. That long red trench and floppy fedora were so awesome, our only wish is that she would have stayed put long enough for us to get a good look at it. Above, from left: Carmen Sandiego; a look from Lanvin resort '10; a look from Bottega Veneta resort '10.
Jubilee—Jubilation Lee was a wealthy Beverly Hills teen gymnast before she became an orphan and took shelter - where else? - at her local mall. There, she discovered her mutant power of generating neon-bright fireworks, but if that didn't blind you, her outfit definitely would. We're totally flippin' for her acidic New Wave threads, edgy shorn locks, and boxy hot-pink lab goggles masquerading as sunglasses. Above, from left: Jubilee; two looks from Marc Jacobs fall '09.
She-Ra—With a moniker like "Princess of Power," you know this girl had a bad-ass look. With her cascading blond locks, Philip Treacy-worthy headgear, wing-tipped minidress, and golden cuffs, she almost made up for the dire, overly muscular fashion tragedy that was her brother, He-Man...almost. Above, from left: She-Ra; a look from Marchesa resort '10; a look from Givenchy resprt '10.
Debbie Thornberry—Her little sister might have had that whole Dr. Doolittle thing going on, but we were always way more interested in Debbie's aloof cool kid vibe. From her perfectly mussed bed-head to those utilitarian brown boots, she managed to somehow stay on top of the grunge look - despite being stranded in the middle of a remote jungle. Above, from left: Debbie and the rest of the Wild Thornberrys; a look from Alexander Wang spring '09; a look from Charles Anastase fall '09.
Minnie Mouse—When it comes to classic, there's no one who fits the bill better than Miss Minerva Mouse. She's known for her frilly, feminine, polka-dotted frocks, along with low-heeled pumps and an ever-present hair bow, but we love the fact the she never shied away from dressing for the times or the occasion, trying out everything from jazzercise chic to boyish '80s casual. Above, from left: Minnie Mouse; a look from Diane von Furstenberg resort '10; a look from Dolce & Gabbana spring '09.
Jem—With the '80s revival running rampant right now, there's no way we could go on without paying tribute to Jem, her backup band, The Holograms, their rival band, the Misfits, and really, every single character in the series. Back in the day, while Jerrica Benton struggled to keep her rock star alter ego under wraps, we were busy trying to figure out how to craft one exactly like it, face paint included. Above, clockwise from left: Jem & the Holograms; a look from Jean Paul Gaultier couture '09; a look from Versace resort '10; Jem's rivals, The Misfits. More Posts: Dree Does Vogue, Wang's Walking Lessons, and Terry For H&M Eugenia Kim and Annie Costello Brown's Jewels and Hats Coming To An Urban Near You!