Finally: Modern Barbie Will Actually Be Able to Wear Flats

Here's something you might not know about the iconic Barbie: Because of how her feet were initially designed, she's never been able to wear flats. Her feet would only slip into a shoe with a fairly high arch, and a lack of flexibility in her ankles meant that she couldn't wear anything that put her feet at a 90-degree angle with her calves. (Poor thing!) But all that's about to change.

According to a new report from Gizmodotoy company Mattel is producing a brand new Barbie who is finally stepping into the modern age, so to speak. She will come complete with "articulated ankles," meaning her feet will now bend enough that she can wear flat shoes. No comment yet from the doll on how she feels about being able to wear Stan Smiths, for example, or those gladiator sandals that are going to be major this spring.

Congrats to Mattel on finally bringing Barbie into the modern shoe age! Are you looking forward to seeing the doll's new shoe offerings? Tell us in the comments below!

Meghan Blalock
Managing Editor

Hailing from the heart of the South and cutting her teeth on the mean streets of New York, Meghan has six years of experience covering fashion, style, celebrities, culture, and human behavior. A longtime devotee of rap music, tacos, and generally perfect weather, she is excited to put down roots in Los Angeles. Her top three style staples are a good pair of cutoff shorts, virtually any kind of colorful digi-print, and a solid set of shades.