Hilary's Cabbage Patch Clothes Closet
Learning about 1980's Cabbage Patch Kid clothing.
Challenge Day #19 – Huh? What’s happening? Naked kids?
We can only theorize that there was an outfit planned for this number but, that for some reason, it was never produced.
Some speculate that it is the one outfit on the 1983 box that was never produced. The interesting thing about this picture is that they never produced a looped AA girl (or boy) like that in 1983 either. (FB Conversation, Feb. 21, 2022)
Another day to jog your worries away.
Suggested reading: An explanation of the 1983 series of outfits that the swing dress belongs to. Jump to: 1983 Series – The 1st CPK Clothes
Original Name: Sports Time
Description:
Jogging suit made of fleece sweater material that has striped pant legs and sleeve extensions made of a second thinner fabric. It also has a tall ribbed collar and piping along the armpit, trunk, and pant leg seams. Occasionally it came with a terry cloth hand band. It generally came with regular lace-up shoes and socks. Very occasionally, they came with sneakers.
This outfit was sold from 1983 until 1985, most likely longer. It was sold both on kids and packaged, starting in 1984.
My goal is to find every version of every outfit that was produced. Below is a record of each version of this outfit that I have, up to the date indicated. To understand clothing codes, factories and variations, please refer to the suggested readings below.
Suggested readings: 1st Blog – Why do this project?, What are Clothing Tag Codes, 1983 Series – The 1st CPK Clothes
If you have an outfit that is not recorded here or does not match my information, (e.g. you have an 18A KT that is pink, not white) I would appreciate hearing from you. Information is best sent in the form of pictures. For details on the pictures required, jump to Taking Clothing Tag Pics.
This outfit does not appear to have been manufactured by the primary factory SS.
> The following are observable differences between outfits produced at various factories.
>Mimic Outfits: I am aware of one USA version of this outfit and the only visible difference is a lack of piping on the pants and the sleeve seams.
> So far, it appears that KT is the only factory that produced solid colour piping. The rest are dashes.
> The KT Hong Kong versions of this outfit have been found with small flower patches at the neck. Do you have another example of this?
Photo and information courtesy of Carey Reiss Jarchow.
> There were many variations made by foreign factories. For information on identifying a Jesmar version, jump to Identifying Jesmar Clothing.
> Some sleeve cuffs are white, some have horizontal stripes, and some have vertical stripes.
Challenge Day #17 – “A loving heart is the beginning of all knowledge.” ~ Thomas Carlyle
Suggested reading: An explanation of the 1983 series of outfits that the swing dress belongs to. Jump to: 1983 Series – The 1st CPK Clothes
Original Name: Little Heart Throb
Alternate Name: Puffed Heart Dress (Ref #4, Vol. 3 Iss. 8, p. 3)
Description:
This outfit has a drop waist dress with an attached mini skirt and is made out of fleece-lined sweatshirt material. The skirt has three rows of satin ribbon encircling it, and there is a pink heart applique on the right breast. It generally comes with tights and regular lace-up shoes.
This outfit was sold from 1983 until 1985, most likely longer. It was sold both on kids and packaged, starting in 1984.
My goal is to find every version of every outfit that was produced. Below is a record of each version of this outfit that I have, up to the date indicated. To understand clothing codes, factories and variations, please refer to the suggested readings below.
Suggested readings: 1st Blog – Why do this project?, What are Clothing Tag Codes, 1983 Series – The 1st CPK Clothes
If you have an outfit that is not recorded here or does not match my information, (e.g. you have a 16A KT that is green, not blue) I would appreciate hearing from you. Information is best sent in the form of pictures. For details on the pictures required, jump to Taking Clothing Tag Pics.
This outfit is difficult to record reliably. I always want to hear about tags that I don’t have recorded; however, only include the tights if you KNOW they came with that dress. It turns out that the tights are the distinguishing feature of the outfit. I need to know they came together.
This outfit does not appear to have been manufactured by the primary factories CC and SS.
> The following are observable differences between outfits produced at various factories.
> Mimic outfits: The Play Along 25th Anniversary kid version is pink and looks very close to the Coleco, except that the applique is more of a sticker, and it only opens halfway down the back instead of all the way.
> There were many variations made by foreign factories. For information on identifying a Jesmar version, jump to Identifying Jesmar Clothing. They came in different colours, and the heart applique was often in different places or, in some cases, missing altogether. In most cases, on foreign outfits, the colour of the heart matches the colour of the dress. (Ref #3, p.375)
> The applique on the KT outfits has been added in a structurally different manner than others.
Deceptively simple, incredibly cute.
Suggested reading: An explanation of the 1983 series of outfits that the swing dress belongs to. Jump to: 1983 Series – The 1st CPK Clothes
Original Name: Checkmates
Description:
Jean/denim romper with a square CPK silk label on the bib, worn over a collared short sleeve shirt that closes at the front with one button. It comes with a red twill baseball cap, sneakers, and socks. Take note, some early versions may have come with regular lace-up shoes.
This outfit was sold from 1983 until 1985, most likely longer. It was sold both on kids and packaged, starting in 1984.
My goal is to find every version of every outfit that was produced. Below is a record of each version of this outfit that I have, up to the date indicated. To understand clothing codes, factories and variations, please refer to the suggested readings below.
Suggested readings: 1st Blog – Why do this project?, What are Clothing Tag Codes, 1983 Series – The 1st CPK Clothes
If you have an outfit that is not recorded here or does not match my information, (e.g. you have a 16A KT that is green, not blue) I would appreciate hearing from you. Information is best sent in the form of pictures. For details on the pictures required, jump to Taking Clothing Tag Pics.
This outfit does not appear to have been made by the primary factories CC or SS.
> The following are observable differences between outfits produced at various factories.
> Mimic outfits: The Play Along 25th Anniversary version came with a blue and white check shirt and the traditional red cap.
> There were many variations made by foreign factories. Tsukuda also put some of their twins in this outfit. For information on identifying a Jesmar version, jump to Identifying Jesmar Clothing.
> Refer to Beneficial Buttons for information on clear vs. white buttons.
> A few early Hong Kong versions of the outfit have been found with metal buttons and closures. I am unsure of the significance of this difference.
“Triple HK, 1983 KT Early HK kid – Bibbed denim romper with an aqua flannel shirt and red cap. Very unusual, however; is the romper itself which opens and closes at the side with 1/2″ copper naps which are embossed with USA style on each one. Snap fasteners also attached the straps to the bib. The shoes . . . are white high tops with blue stripes, but the stripes are a dark teal shade, are very shiny and appear to be hand-painted. The inside soles of the shoes are stamped KT Hong Kong in bold black letters.” (Ref #4, Vol. 3 Iss. 3)
(Photo courtesy of Kat Perhouse)
It is interesting that a second metal button outfit has been identified, and both outfits have the same red flannel shirt.
> The CPK logo changes colour/look. This most likely happened due to changes over time but may also be caused by the factory. I do not know at this time.
Most of our kids are too old for bibs, but we love this outfit anyway!
Suggested reading: An explanation of the 1983 series of outfits that the swing dress belongs to. Jump to: 1983 Series – The 1st CPK Clothes
Original Name: Lil Lollipop
Alternate Name: Giraffe Bib Dress (Ref #3, p.387)
Description:
Cotton dress with a peter pan collar edged with piping and matching bloomers. It comes with a white lace fringed terry cloth bib that generally has a giraffe patch on it. It generally came with regular lace-up shoes and socks. Very occasionally, it came with Mary Janes.
This outfit was sold from 1983 until 1985, most likely no longer. It was sold on both kids and packaged, starting in 1984.
My goal is to find every version of every outfit that was produced. Below is a record of each version of this outfit that I have, up to the date indicated. To understand clothing codes, factories and variations, please refer to the suggested readings below.
Suggested readings: 1st Blog – Why do this project?, What are Clothing Tag Codes, 1983 Series – The 1st CPK Clothes
If you have an outfit that is not recorded here or does not match my information, (e.g. you have a 15C OK that is green gingham, not pink gingham) I would appreciate hearing from you. Information is best sent in the form of pictures. For details on the pictures required, jump to Taking Clothing Tag Pics.
> The following are observable differences between outfits produced at various factories.
> Mimic outfits: USA versions are very similar except, their collar piping appears to be consistently white. The giraffe patches look different. (see below)
> There were many variations made by foreign factories. For information on identifying a Jesmar version, jump to Identifying Jesmar Clothing.
> The giraffe patches are subtly different. For example, on some, the tail of the giraffe points straight up, the embroidery lines are thicker, and there’s less space between the front and back legs.
> The bib with a lamb on it may have come on Coleco OK kids as well as Tsukuda kids (see above). For more information visit: PTP: Patch Particulars (Pt. 2)
> A long-time collector believes that the plaid material (i.e. 15H) was introduced later, around 84-85ish and that they introduced new patterns for the bib dresses over time. She believes that they stopped making them in 1985-86. (Leah Salt FB Conversation; Feb. 6, 2019)
> This bib is very unusual. I do not think it’s a Coleco bib, maybe it’s an aftermarket?
Pretty, pretty pinafores!
Suggested reading: An explanation of the 1983 series of outfits that the swing dress belongs to. Jump to: 1983 Series – The 1st CPK Clothes
Original Name: Spring Picnic
Description:
A cotton dress that looks like it has a pinafore over top. The sleeves and bloomers are patterned. The pinafore section is white with blue thread edging. There are two decorative buttons on the chest of the dress. It generally came with regular lace-up shoes and socks. Very occasionally, they came with Mary Janes.
This outfit was sold from 1983 until 1985, most likely longer. It was sold both on kids and packaged, starting in 1984.
My goal is to find every version of every outfit that was produced. Below is a record of each version of this outfit that I have, up to the date indicated. To understand clothing codes, factories and variations, please refer to the suggested readings below.
Suggested readings: 1st Blog – Why do this project?, What are Clothing Tag Codes, 1983 Series – The 1st CPK Clothes
If you have an outfit that is not recorded here or does not match my information, (e.g. you have a 14A KT that is green gingham, not solid red) I would appreciate hearing from you. Information is best sent in the form of pictures. For details on the pictures required, jump to Taking Clothing Tag Pics.
This outfit does not appear to have been made by the primary factories CC or SS.
> The following are observable differences between outfits produced at various factories.
> Mimic outfits: Play Along used this outfit on 25th Anniversary Kids. The USA version of this dress was made with very thin cotton and looks quite different from the Coleco version, having more lace and no buttons.
> There were many variations made by foreign factories. For information on identifying a Jesmar version, jump to Identifying Jesmar Clothing
There are Tsukuda and Tri-ang Pedigree dresses that are structurally the same as the Pinafore Dress but which are the same pattern/colour all over. (Ref#3, p. 398)
> Be careful when comparing pinafore dress patterns as many look very similar to each other!
> Refer to Beneficial Buttons for information on clear vs. white buttons.
This outfit came on my first kid and holds a special place in my heart.
Suggested reading: An explanation of the 1983 series of outfits that the swing dress belongs to. Jump to: 1983 Series – The 1st CPK Clothes
Original Name: Morning Glory
Alternate Name: Yoke bib dress (Ref#3, p.395)
Description:
Basic cotton dress with a square-shaped yoke of pleated nylon with a bow and eyelet trim. (Ref#4, Vol. 3 Iss. 80, p.3). It came with matching bloomers, regular lace-up shoes, and socks. Very occasionally, they came with Mary Janes.
This outfit was sold from 1983 until 1985, most likely longer. It was sold both on kids and packaged, starting in 1984.
My goal is to find every version of every outfit that was produced. Below is a record of each version of this outfit that I have, up to the date indicated. To understand clothing codes, factories and variations, please refer to the suggested readings below.
Suggested readings: 1st Blog – Why do this project?, What are Clothing Tag Codes, 1983 Series – The 1st CPK Clothes
If you have an outfit that is not recorded here or does not match my information, (e.g. you have a 13J OK that is green, not yellow) I would appreciate hearing from you. Information is best sent in the form of pictures. For details on the pictures required, jump to Taking Clothing Tag Pics.
> The following are observable differences between outfits produced at various factories.
> Mimic outfits: The Mattel 15th Anniversary kids came with a slightly different version of this dress where the yoke itself comes off, almost like a bib. Outfit #659 came out in 1986ish and is the mimic version of this outfit. The yoke is more frilly and the bow velveteen. Outfit #149 is a transitional outfit that most likely only came packaged.
> There were many variations made by foreign factories. For information on identifying a Jesmar version, jump to Identifying Jesmar Clothing
We’re all ready to play outside! Where’s the best climbing tree?
Suggested reading: An explanation of the 1983 series of outfits that the overalls belong to. Jump to: 1983 Series – The 1st CPK Clothes
Original Name: Country Cousin
Description:
Corduroy overalls with a ruffle running along the strap and a white blouse underneath. The neck and sleeves of the blouse have coloured rickrack trim. It came with sneakers and socks.
This outfit was sold from 1983 until 1985, most likely longer. It was sold both on kids and packaged, starting in 1984. There is evidence that some stock of this outfit was still being sold off as separately packaged outfits as late as 1987. (Ref#4, Iss. 5, p.4)
My goal is to find every version of every outfit that was produced. Below is a record of each version of this outfit that I have, up to the date indicated. To understand clothing codes, factories and variations, please refer to the suggested readings below.
Suggested readings: 1st Blog – Why do this project?, What are Clothing Tag Codes, 1983 Series – The 1st CPK Clothes
If you have an outfit that is not recorded here or does not match my information, (e.g. you have a 12B KT that is green, not pink) I would appreciate hearing from you. Information is best sent in the form of pictures. For details on the pictures required, jump to Taking Clothing Tag Pics.
This outfit does not appear to have been made by the primary factories CC or SS.
> The following are observable differences between outfits produced at various factories.
> Mimic outfits: Outfit #626, the Velveteen Overalls, came out in 1986ish and is a pair of velveteen overalls with a patterned cotton blouse. There are two versions. Outfit #147 is a Transitional outfit that I believe only came packaged. The Play Along 25th Anniversary version comes only in dark blue. The 30th Anniversary version is purple.
> There were many variations made by foreign factories in a wonderful array of colours. For information on identifying a Jesmar version, jump to Identifying Jesmar Clothing.
There are Tri-ang Pedigree and Tsukuda versions of the Coleco flower-patterned overalls (12H). All three versions are very sought after, the foreign more than the Coleco.
> The straps of the overalls are generally the same colour as the rest, but we have found some which are white cotton, and in at least one case, navy blue corduroy. There is currently no pattern that can provide a reasonable explanation for this.
> A few outfits (a very rare occurrence) have been found with circular snaps used at the legs and to secure the straps. Both recorded examples are from Hong Kong Kids, one KT and one P factory. (Facebook Conversation, Mar 2022) It has been confirmed that if these are only Hong Kong outfits, they moved on to buttons and velcro even before the HK outfits stopped being produced. Thank you to Melissa Kegley (Email, July 2022) for pictures of her HK flowered overalls with buttons and velcro.
> The silk tags on the bib of the OK overalls are always located right along the seam. Other factories have it up, away from the seam.
> Jump to Unique Accents: PMI for information on the rick rack around the sleeves.
One of the most popular outfits!
Suggested reading: An explanation of the 1983 series of outfits that the swing dress belongs to. Jump to: 1983 Series – The 1st CPK Clothes
Original Name: Winter Warmer
Description:
Knit dress with matching bloomers. Two wide stripes run parallel to the hem of the dress, and it has a duck applique on the skirt. It generally came with Mary Jane shoes and socks. Very occasionally, it came with lace-ups.
This outfit was sold from 1983 until 1985, most likely longer. It was sold both on kids and packaged, starting in 1984.
My goal is to find every version of every outfit that was produced. Below is a record of each version of this outfit that I have, up to the date indicated. To understand clothing codes, factories and variations, please refer to the suggested readings below.
Suggested readings: 1st Blog – Why do this project?, What are Clothing Tag Codes, 1983 Series – The 1st CPK Clothes
If you have an outfit that is not recorded here or does not match my information, (e.g. you have an 11A KT that is green, not pink) I would appreciate hearing from you. Information is best sent in the form of pictures. For details on the pictures required, jump to Taking Clothing Tag Pics.
This outfit does not appear to have been made by the primary factories CC or SS.
> The following are observable differences between outfits produced at various factories.
> Mimic outfits: The Play Along 25th Anniversary edition of this outfit is baby blue and looks more like the early button dress version from the front. (see below) Take note that there are very good aftermarket versions of this outfit. They are often confused with CPK brand.
> There were many variations made by foreign factories. The Tsukuda factory also made knit outfits that could be confused as a Ducky Dress from afar. For information on identifying a Jesmar version, jump to Identifying Jesmar Clothing
> Button Ducky Dress: The earliest iteration of this outfit only came out in early 1983 and is therefore considered hard-to-find. It closes at the back with three buttons and has a different look for the sleeves and neck. Many of these early outfits are also Hong Kong outfits. The white version is considered the hardest to find.
This outfit is tricky, can you help?
Suggested reading: An explanation of the 1983 series of outfits that the windbreaker outfit belongs to. Jump to: 1983 Series – The 1st CPK Clothes
Original Name: Blue Jean Baby
Description:
The outfit consists of a striped white and [insert colour here] cotton shirt, jeans, and a nylon windbreaker jacket that has a white zipper and a green curved CPK logo on the right side. It comes with sneakers and socks.
This outfit was sold from 1983 until 1985, most likely longer. It was sold both on kids and packaged, starting in 1984.
My goal is to find every version of every outfit that was produced. Below is a record of each version of this outfit that I have, up to the date indicated. To understand clothing codes, factories and variations, please refer to the suggested readings below.
Suggested readings: 1st Blog – Why do this project?, What are Clothing Tag Codes, 1983 Series – The 1st CPK Clothes
If you have an outfit that is not recorded here or does not match my information, (e.g. you have a 6A OK that is green, not blue) I would appreciate hearing from you. Information is best sent in the form of pictures. For details on the pictures required, jump to Taking Clothing Tag Pics.
> This outfit does not appear to have been made by the primary factories CC or SS.
This outfit is extremely difficult to confirm as the tag is ONLY located in the shirt. It is too easy to put a shirt, jacket, and jeans together and claim to have a set.
Please provide pictures of shirts with tag codes I do not have, but only include the entire outfit if you KNOW the other pieces came with it. Mint-in-box (MIB) kids are extremely important if you have one. Refer to the Other Information section for details.
> There are observable differences between outfits produced at various factories. For specifics, follow these links:
Identifying CPK Windbreakers by Factory
Identifying CPK Windbreaker shirts
Identifying CPK Jeans by factory (Future post)
> There were many variations made by foreign factories. For information on identifying a Jesmar windbreaker outfit, refer to the links in the previous bullet.
> Mimic outfits: The Play Along 25th Anniversary version of this outfit was done only in purple and worn only by girls. Outfit #100 KT is a later mimic outfit with no logo on the jacket. Instead, the logo is on the shirt. I have only one version of outfit #100 recorded.
> 500s Series Windbreaker outfits
> I’m not sure, in some situations about shirt and jacket combinations. Several outfits look like they could include the same shirt. Did they change the tags inside the shirt to reflect a different outfit, or did they just put different coloured jackets on the same coded shirt? UPDATED POST – PTP: Bountiful Blue (Windbreakers)
