Kirsten Larson (doll)
The Kirsten Larson doll was released in 1986, along with Samantha Parkington and Molly McIntire. They were American Girl's first three Historical Characters. The first release of Kirsten was officially archived in January 2010. A Special Edition version was released for the 35th anniversary in 2021, with a similar version re-released in 2024 that has remained available.
- Face Mold: Classic Mold (debut)
- Skin: Light/pale
- Hair: Blonde, bangs, straight, waist length.
- Kirsten's hair initially comes styled in two looped-up braids. A tutorial on restyling the hair can be found at Bean Bunny.
- Eyes: Light Blue
Meet Outfit
Kirsten's meet outfit is of the style silhouette of the mid 19th century and of practical design for farm wear rather than swifter moving city fashions, often of printed calico cloth with simple trims. It is symbolic of the start of her new life on the American farmland. Kirsten spends much of Meet Kirsten wearing more traditional Swedish clothes and she receives the dress as a "new" outfit to change into at arrival; it is a dress that her older cousin Lisbeth has outgrown.
Dress
Light blue mid-century prairie-style calico print day dress; long sleeved puffed bodice and skirt gathered to waistband. Print is medium cornflower blue background with red flowers with yellow accents and dark green stems. White high collar. Dropped sleeve shoulders. Cuffs are both of print and white trim. Bottom has a tucked up fold to simulate the growth tuck dresses of that era had to allow dresses to lengthen out as children grew. Velcro closure at cuffs and center back.
The pattern of the print has varied slightly over the years; older versions have a more random scattering of the flowers while newer version have them more closely lined up in noticeable rows and lines.
Apron
Striped cotton textured waist-tie apron. Pattern of cream with red stripes that alternate between grouped dashed lines and solid lines. Square pocket on the left side.
Pantalettes
White cotton pantalettes. Elastic gathered waist. Cuffs are trimmed with white eyelet lace with groupings to appear as small flowers and dots.
Stockings
Thick striped knit knee high stockings. Horizontal thin brown and dark yellow stripes.
Later versions are of thinner knit with thicker striping of more grey tones and have added elastic at the tops to help hold stockings up on ankles.
Boots
Brown boots. Soft sided with a soft sole. Two holes at front with brown knotted laces.
Hair Ribbons
Two woven-cloth blue hair ribbons.
Meet Accessories
Bonnet
Red gingham print sunbonnet. Front bill with slight interface stiffening and gathered back with slight overhang and matching ribbon ties.
Spoon Bag
Cloth waist spoon bag. Muslin center pocket-bag with red and blue bias cord sewn on sides to form loops at top for blue waist tie to be corded through and fridge at bottom. Front has applique design of blue geometric shape and red heart over. Decorative embroidery has 1854 and two dots in blue on heart and blue has three abstract flowers around heart and K. L. on lower corners in red.
This is based on the Swedish kjolsäck or loose pocket.
Spoon
Wooden spoon.
The first version has a rounded knob at end of handle; later versions have a straight handle.
Necklace
Amber-colored heart pendant on a thin brown ribbon cord. Gold latch into loop closure. The books state this is a parting gift from Kirsten's grandmother, Mormor.
Kerchief
Cream handkerchief. Embroidered with red lines and Xs in blue thread.
35th Anniversary Edition
For American Girl's 35th Anniversary, Kirsten Larson was rereleased as a limited edition bundle. The bundle includes the doll, meet accessories, the first edition parchment style of Meet Kirsten, and an older-style box (modified with visibility window) for a total cost of $150. This bundle sold out in August 2021.
Unlike standard dolls sold at this time, Kirsten has neck strings. The doll has multiple minor changes in the outfit. The dress is of a slightly darker shade than the original dress and slightly thinner fabric; The dress skirt has the American Girl oval plastic logo tag on the right front hem; the apron is of a slightly lighter weave; the second version of the stockings are being used; the pantalette trim is different; and the boots are slightly lighter in tone. The doll also has a darker blue eye color similar to other dolls instead of the original light blue.
The box has "The American Girls Collection" written in white text with an illustration of Kirsten centered below it. The words "Kirsten Larson's 35th Anniversary Collection" are written near the bottom of the box.
One of a Kind Edition
A one-of a kind Kirsten designed by Carly Cushnie of Harlem's Fashion Row, was auctioned on eBay from September 23 to 26th, 2021, with all proceeds donated to Girls Who Code. The auction initial starting price was $300 and final auction price was $2,400.
The doll was dressed in a blue gingham flared dress and straw fedora hat with matching gingham band, her amber necklace, and the shoes from the World Traveler in Ireland outfit.
In coordination with the one-of-a-kind dolls, American Girl released the American Girl Collector Tote, which has an illustration of the first six historical characters in their modern outfits.
2024 Re-Release
A similar version to the 35th anniversary version was released in May 2024 for a cost of $150. In June 2024, the cost increased to $160, and in 2025, the cost increased to $175. This version does not have neck strings, and it sold out in January 2026.
The version of Meet Kirsten in this set is also in the parchment style, but it has an updated "America in 1854" section. The 35th anniversary stock images were reused for this release; however, the 2024 version comes with a newer, thinner version of the classic mold that gives Kirsten a slightly different appearance.
Like the anniversary version, this doll comes in a maroon box with a visibility window and "The American Girls Collection" written in white text. However, unlike the anniversary version, the box has a stock image of the doll and book in the center. An illustration of Kirsten is in the bottom left corner, and "Kirsten Larson Doll, Book, and Accessories" is written in white text at the bottom.
2024 Holiday Release
In November 2024 a holiday limited edition version of Kirsten released for a cost of $230 as Kirsten's Surprise Holiday Collector Doll and Book Set. The set retired in March 2025. The set includes a Kirsten doll, the complete Saint Lucia Gown, the Saint Lucia Wreath, standard meet pantalettes, a copy of Kirsten's Surprise, a unique box, and certificate. No more than 3,000 dolls were produced. Unlike the Kirsten dolls rereleased earlier in 2024 and other standard dolls sold at this time, this Kirsten has neck strings.
40th Anniversary Edition
A similar version to the previous classic re-releases was made available for preorder in early April 2026; the dolls shipped on May 1. Retail cost remained $175. The packaging does not have any 40th anniversary branding on it. Like the previous re-release, these dolls have maroon packaging reminiscent of 1990s American Girl boxes with the title "The American Girls Collection" on them. However, these boxes now have a unique mark next to the collection title that matches the doll's meet outfit pattern; Kirsten's box has small flowers.
The matching outfit was available for children with various components:
- New Country Dress: $75 (later increased to $78)
- Amber Heart Necklace: $25 (later increased to $28)
- Pantalettes: $18
- Petticoat: $20
- Prairie Boots, available in black or red: $55 (later increased to $68)
These were released in 1987 and all phased out around 2000.
In 2025, American Girl began offering outfit sets for children and adults that are inspired by the historical characters in collaboration with Posh Peanut. These include t-shirts, dresses, and sweatshirts with Kirsten's likeness and meet outfit prints.
In May 2026, American Girl and Tea Collection released clothing for children that is based on the original six historical characters. Some of the outfits coordinate with the Modern Era Collection versions of the dolls, and some sets use the meet outfit prints for both Kirsten Larson dolls. The Kirsten Tee, Bow Tee, and Best Friends Tee have a retail cost of $35, and the Strappy Dress and the Tank Dress have a retail cost of $59.
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The American Girl x Tea Collection Kirsten Tee.
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The American Girl x Tea Collection Bow Tee with a bow inspired by Kirsten.
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The American Girl x Tea Collection Best Friends Tee with modern Kirsten.
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The American Girl x Tea Collection Strappy Dress with modern Kirsten.
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The American Girl x Tea Collection Tank Dress with Kirsten's meet print.
In May 2026, American Girl and Hill House Home released clothing for children that matches Kirsten's meet dress print. This coordinates with the Kirsten Paz Nap Set for 18" dolls, which was advertised with modern dolls rather than Kirsten herself. The Tiny Paz Nap Set for children has a retail cost of $98.
A Kirsten mini doll has been available since the debut of mini dolls in 1995. There are three versions with her meet outfit: the Pleasant Company mini doll, the Mattel mini doll, and the 2016 mini doll. She is the only American Girl character whose mini doll still has her classic meet outfit. Although her outfit was not changed with the start of BeForever, the mini doll's body was changed from a cloth body to vinyl. Her mini was briefly unavailable from 2014 to 2016, when it was re-released. The doll remains available.
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The Pleasant Company Kirsten mini doll.
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The Mattel Kirsten mini doll.
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The 2016 Kirsten mini doll.
Pre-Mattel and White-Bodied Doll Differences
- White bodied Kirstens have a white muslin cloth body; both Mattel and Pre-Mattel Kirstens have matching cloth bodies.
- White bodied Kirstens have coarser, thicker hair that is a lighter shade. Pre-Mattel and Mattel Kirstens have darker blond hair.
- The clipped hairs are more sparse in Mattel Kirstens; however, White-bodies Kirstens have less long hairs in the back.
- Mattel and Pre-Mattel dolls have lighter blue eyes.
- Pre-Mattel and White Body Kirstens have softer, light brown to brown lashes. They are longer in White Body Kirstens.
- The Mattel Kirstens have slightly thinner bangs.
Trivia
- Images released in 2021 for the 35th anniversary revealed that Kirsten's meet outfit was not changed much from the initial overall design. The sketch was drawn by Renée Graef.[1]
See Also
References
- ↑ "Meet Madison: An illustrator’s tribute to Pleasant Rowland", Renee Graef, Madison Magazine, 12/4/2024. Accessed 12/24/24.