Blythe Dolls for Beginners: 15 Things Every New Collector Should Know

Everything we wish someone had told us before our first Blythe, in one honest list.

Blythe dolls for beginners can feel like a world with its own language. Neo, Middie, factory, OOAK, face-up, eye chips, jointed body: the words fly around in collector groups as if everyone was born knowing them. Nobody was. Every collector started with one doll and a lot of questions.

So here are fifteen tips on Blythe dolls for beginners that our team wishes every new collector knew. Read them once, and you will shop with confidence and avoid the most common first-doll mistakes.

Blythe Doll Tips: The Doll Itself

1. “Blythe” usually means Neo Blythe. The full-size doll is about 28 cm (11 in) tall. Middie Blythe is about 20 cm and Petite Blythe about 11 cm. Our guide to every type of Blythe doll explains them all.
2. Sizes do not share accessories. Clothes, shoes and wigs made for a Neo will not fit a Middie or Petite. Always check the size before you buy.
3. The eyes change colour. Pull the string at the back of her head and her eyes switch between four pairs of colours. Pull slowly and straight back, at eye level, to protect the mechanism. The story behind those eyes is in Blythe’s big eyes.
4. Faces come in finishes. A matte face looks soft and natural. A shiny face catches the light like porcelain. Neither is better; it is about the look you love.
5. Faces come in expressions. Most custom dolls have a cute, pouty or smiling face. Choose the expression first and the hair second, because the face is what you will look at every day.

Blythe Doll Tips: Bodies, Hair and Care

1. Choose a jointed body if you want to pose her. A jointed body bends at the elbows, wrists, knees and hips, so she can sit on a shelf or hold a tiny cup. A basic body is lighter and simpler.
2. Her head is heavy, so give her a stand. Blythe’s big head makes her top-heavy. A simple doll stand keeps her upright and safe.
3. The hair is removable. Blythe’s hair is rooted into a separate scalp that you can swap in about ten minutes. See how to change Blythe doll hair.
4. Never brush from the roots. Comb the ends first with a wide-tooth comb and work upwards. Wash gently in cool water and let her air dry.
5. Keep her out of strong sunlight. Direct sun fades hair and vinyl over time. A shelf away from a sunny window keeps her looking new.

Blythe Dolls for Beginners: Buying Your First Blythe

1. Learn three words: official, factory and custom. Official dolls are licensed limited editions. Factory dolls are plain dolls made from similar parts. Custom dolls are finished by hand by an artist. Each suits a different buyer.
2. For a first Blythe doll, custom is the easiest start. A custom doll arrives finished, dressed and ready, so you can enjoy her straight away and learn the hobby gently. Start with our bestsellers.
3. Look for real buyer photos. Studio photos show the best version of a doll. Photos taken by buyers at home show what you will actually receive. Read This Is Blythe reviews with real customer photos to see the difference.
4. Barbie clothes will not fit. Blythe and Barbie are similar heights, but Blythe has a much bigger head and a shorter body. Our Neo Blythe size guide has every measurement for clothes.
5. Join the community. Blythe collectors share thousands of photos every day on Instagram under tags like #blythedoll. It is the best place to find inspiration, outfit ideas and friends.

A Little History, So You Sound Like an Expert

The first Blythe was made by Kenner in 1972 and sold for only one year. She was rediscovered in the late 1990s and relaunched in Japan in 2001, and she has been a collector favourite ever since. The Victoria and Albert Museum even keeps an original Kenner Blythe in its collection. For the full story, read who created Blythe dolls.

Ready for Your First Blythe?

The best first Blythe doll is simply the one you cannot stop looking at. That is the one rule of Blythe dolls for beginners that never changes. If you want her to look like you or someone you love, try our free look-alike finder, or design her yourself in the build-your-own studio.

Find your first Blythe

With love, This Is Blythe Team