BEST TO A TEA Barbie Doll - Barbie Signature - Review 

Sad to see this series end but I just don’t think the quality and attention to detail hasn’t been there for YEARS. And NO jewelry??!! Come on Mattel! I really had hoped for this last collection that they would have really knocked it out of the park, but sadly no. I do love the Robert Best boxes with the sketch. Thank you as always for another great detailed review!

Velcro for a Silkstone !?! That's so depressingly on brand for Mattel at the moment. However, I do like the doll - she is quite pretty, and apart from wishing the suit had been properly lined (and had snaps or a hook and eye combination), I like it as well. I've been on the fence about a lot of the newer Silkstones, but I do see myself buying this one, thanks to your review. I only wish that Mattel had put out more AA Silkstone Barbies over the years... and I've always held out hope for an AA Silkstone Ken. Alas, I don't think that particular wish will ever be granted now. Still, Mattel's loss is Integrity's gain.

It's sad cause we've come to a moment on collecting Barbie where a silkstone has a playline 00 quality. Velcro is a no, just a no. Mattel is killing Barbie, no wonder. The doll is pretty, beautiful designed - but for 55 years Barbie used to have good quality, now it's a shame. Nice video Suresh !

Velcro, arrrghhh! The quality of Barbies nowadays breaks my heart. Visible plastic seam lines on the body seem tacky. Not bothering to press seams flat, and/or no lining does look like the Fashionista line, you are so right about that. These are not the inexpensive dolls. I’d gladly pay a little more if Mattel would do a little more. If I were still collecting it would be the Integrity line for me. Also, I love your bow tie, and I think it goes very well with Barbie’s outfit, because her fascinator/hat has the bright pink flowers which Imho are quite reminiscent of the flowers in your tie. I do like the hat. Seems that if you kind of fluffed it up and our it might look better (because of the netting). And, with some judicious sewing/tacking I think that the jacket may fit better. I’d start with the back of the blouse. Tightening that might give the top of the collar a nicer fit. However, for this kind of money, Mattel should’ve done the work themselves. The idea of the design is lovely, but the execution is not. I say this as I look at my still beautiful #3. Stay safe & be blessed.

Also a purse or jewellery would have been very nice

Thanks Suresh! It is always such a joy and a treat to see your vids! I ended up getting her and I do think she is beautiful. But that Velcro though! Ugh. I feel as if it will tear those beautiful clothes up after a while .

I've just discovered you, and you're an excellent reviewer! I am sure you're fully aware of this, but you are FANTASTICALLY fun to watch! I'm watching reviews for dolls in which I originally had zero interest and am changing my mind and vice versa. Love this!

OMG love this vid. YOU ARE ADORABLE!!!

I was very torn about getting her but I always wanted a suit silkstone and more POC dolls as a POC myself, I was a little disappointed. She is beautiful but I had to do quite a bit of work to make her look better. I removed the Velcro and replaced it with snaps, used sheer tights and pumps, and didn’t care for the gloves. She looks a lot better with a bit of restyling. I also have some boucle fabric that I’ll make another suit for in the future. Also a big no no for me was the quality of the doll itself. She had so much flashing from production, I spent a day sanding and polishing all the seams on the body so she is smooth(and it took a lot longer as the sanding shows a lot more on darker skin) . I personally love the articulated dolls more as I love to pose them, but the quality is far from the original bodies. I always have to fine tune them so they don’t have massive flash marks and seams. Overall I say I’m disappointed with the direction Mattel has gone lately, especially as I took a break from collecting for a few years and have come back to a shadow what used to be.

i love this doll and im definitely gonna get her, but damn i wish they had at least lined the suit.

Sorry, but the latest silkstones are very disappointing :( This one costs about 134 euros (150 $) over here in Europe. I am glad there are still enough older silkstone barbies to collect whose fashion has much better quality. It's a challenge and fun to find them in mint condition for a good price. Thanks for your very detailed review!

So, are they discontinuing all Silkstone dolls, or just discontinuing the BFMC? This doll is pretty, I love the doll itself for the most part. That fashion though, it's kind of not working. I don't like the skirt shape at all with the rest of the look, the strange sort of A line shape combined with the asymmetrical hem plane combined with the awkward skirt length combined with the boxy Chanel jacket is just too many competing elements for me. A simpler pencil skirt, slightly longer but still above the knee, without the vertical embellishments, would have put the focus more on the jacket. I actually really like the jacket, but I would probably want to press those seams open and add a lining. The blouse is pretty, but I would have to remove the velcro and put Integrity-style hooks and loops in their place. I think black sheer hose would definitely be better than tights, and I think the boots are all wrong for a summer suit like this. The tights and boots feel very autumnal to me, but the suit and blouse are late spring/summer. I agree that the fascinator actually kind of works, and I do appreciate the pop of fuchsia in this overall very neutral look. Love the video as always, thanks for giving us an up close look at everything. :)

The contrast to Toujours Couture really shows how the line has deteriorated. However, the older doll is now over $400. I am so sorry I never picked up any Silkstones over the years. I never really liked the old face sculpt, having grown up with the Superstar face. However, as I get older, I like it better, and the clothes were lovely, but now I can't afford them. Maybe this one will be marked down, as Mattel still has some on their website. I would like to have at least one Silkstone, and this doll herself is quite pretty.

I’ve been collecting silkstones for many years and I love them. I’m sad to see them coming to an end, but the quality has not been very good for several years. I’m not real crazy about this doll and I don’t think I’ll be getting her. Velcro! I’m with you when it comes to articulation, I like the original body sculpt better too. I love your videos.

You and the gold ribbon, so funny 😄🤣💖

Omg I'm so depressed is 2020 the end of this line?The doll is stunning love love love Robert Best sketch!And something else...Well ,before 3 years ( I think) you did a video about your barbie collection.Why don't you do a new one in 2020 because you are reviewing many dolls in this time and I would really like to see them all 🥰

I so want this doll! The only thing I want to change on her when i get her is I will probably buy her some proper hose. I’m not a fan of the thick leggings with that very uptown more elegant afternoon tea looking outfit.

OMG!! The doll herself is gorgeous(ok maybe not the body, but the head is the important part anyway)!!! Her outfit looks great... as long as you don't look to close at the details.. . seems a shame that Mattel would do this to a Gold Label Doll.... Well, I will probably get her because hey, she is beautiful & will look wonderful next to the first BFMC African American Doll (Lingerie Doll #5) so I will have the first & last African American BFMC Dolls. Thank you for the review & for staying so positive!!!!

Oh my God! Very beautiful doll! 🌸 Você ficou ainda mais bonito com barba. 😉 Um grande abraço do Brasil. Parabéns pelo seu trabalho.

Love her her beautiful face and hair and love her hat and outfit love your video!

Loved the review! I was curious to what your thoughts were about the velcro. I think that the doll is beautiful but will wait for her price to go down. The suit should have been semi lined and have metal snaps. The black tights and shoes have been used too many times.

Suresh, I thought that you were very generous in Your review of this doll and her outfit. The outfit is very adorable and my Francie dolls will love wearing it. Did you feel that the buttons on the jacket and skirt had a little too “plastic” feel to them? The lacy blouse is very pretty and Everyone feels the same about the Velcro. Perhaps you can ask Robert Best what is going on with this last installment of Silkstone Barbies since you have a dialogue with him. I bought this doll because she is beautiful and she will make a great addition to my, “Barbie as The Supremes” collection. It’s nice to see you back again and your bow tie is saying something like, “Its time for summer to begin!” Big Hugs from Salt Lake City!

Hi all! As usual, great review Suresh! I was disappointed in the Velcro on the outfit, but there is an upside! My other Silkies can't wear fashions from the articulated Silkies. But with the Velcro closure, they can. 😊

I am nipping off the black tulle but keeping the flowers on her! I just can stand that fascinator!

I lost my uncle. Everyone is feeling the sadness and anxiety. You give us a good thing to look forward to.Thank you!💗

I thought I was the only one that didn't like that stands from the silkstone dolls, I don't know what they were thinking with that. Why couldn't they just make the ones that go around their waist?

I love this doll so much. I'm so happy to have her because I love my tweed indeed, boucle beauty and black n White tweed suit doll . they look all beautiful in one shelf. The velcro is a bummer but I think mattel needs to cut cost somewhere because they're not earning much from silkstones anymore. i wonder if you will also react to the new Black poppy parker Mad in Milan with her animal print coat.. She's so fabulous! Tokyo twilight is also nice. And i think she has the best PP screening with her icy look.

Love that face. The suit would of been perfect if it didn't have velcro, 😥. Your face when you opened the velcro 🤣🤣. Love the head thingy though. Great review.

I am utterly heartbroken that there aren't going to be any more Silkstone Barbies! I'm very sad to see an end to that collection.

OH! Do Ella Fitzgerald next!!!...

thank you that is really sweet of you suresh

Love your bow tie, so colorful. You look very handsome!

I likedvthe doll, but you are right for the price point. They could have used snaps or hook and eye closures.

I wouldn't worry about the bowtie, you look very handsome..I especially love your hair 😄...btw missed you ✌😁💜

I just got my Best To A Tea today, finally, I put it off because I didn't like it and was hoping for sales but it never really came down. I got it via walmart and it was literally their last one, and still full price... I think what I dislike the most is her eyebrows and eyes. I'd like to try to repaint her brows and the irises, they just don't look good to me. I may not even keep her, actually, it's just such a depressing situation and it leaves a bad taste in my mouth, because I've only been able to afford silkies for the last several years and just as I am able to buy them, they plummeted in quality and then of course simply ended. News is that there's another silkie on the horizon, so perhaps there's going to be a revival or something, but I'm just so upset about it. They say 'get Integrity now' but I like the silkies. Like charge us an extra 25 dollars and give us a lining and snaps instead of velcro. Or 50 and give us some nice jewelry with her, or better shoes or something. Great video as always and I realize this is 2 years old but like I said I just finally gave in and got this one and wanted to see your video about her again.

Sei bravissimo.... Grazie per il tuo lavoro.... Un abbraccio forte forte

I wasn't really into her. But she could be the last one. Who knows 🤷🏻‍♂️ I will get her cause she is beautiful. And there are not as many AA Silkstones. Thanks again for your great video's .

SILKSTONE Barbie my love has long been🥰

I want to buy this and re-root her... a fun color, like pink or blue.

Wow ... Luf it

Hola! Esta muy bonita ! Me encanto su blusa y sus zapatos 👠 😍 saludos!! Besitos!! 😘😘🙋🏻‍♀️🙋🏻‍♀️❤️

The articulated body looks cheap to me. I hope they'll use the original body again.

L.OL. OMG Uptown Girl has better quality and she's a playline doll. So sad with the quality of barbie right now :c

I am very disappointed with the decision to use velcro and not really finish off the suit. And there should be a gold and pearl bracelet and pearl earrings. It is supposed to be Chanel! And the left and footwear is just not a good choice. A sheer stocking with a black pump and a black "Boy" bag would have been perfect. I don't think I will be purchasing this doll but I am inspired to find some fabric to make a tiny Chanel suit for my 1960s era girls.

I'm not loving the outfit. The jacket seems small for her. It doesn't even sit well on her shoulders. I don't know if I really like her but I will still get her for my collection. Thank you for another awesome review!!!

The clothes have velcro ?

O seu trabalho, como sempre, é primoroso, mas o da Matelândia desta vez deixou a desejar,colocando velcro numa roupa tão bonita. Mas você é maravilhoso!!!! 😍😍🇧🇷

She is lovely, i must have her. i agree, the velcro sucks and its such a shame... is that a belt around her waist.

I I received this doll yesterday. I had seen your video a few days earlier. When I opened the box I knew the critical issues you reported but I also had another surprise: the front of the skirt is badly cut and the hem does not stay straight but one side is shorter. The internal finishing of the garments is horrible ... Not even the clothes of the Barbie playlines are made so badly, at least the ones I remember, that I am 50 years old Now they could be worse. As you have rightly pointed out, the jacket on the back side makes a bad fold, as if it were too tight and the front also opens as if the garment were one size less than necessary. This is because of the velcro that closes the underlying blouse, the skirt is the small belt, which is nothing more than a piece of simple black satin ribbon (Identical to the one with which the doll is ensured inside the package). With a badly cut and poorly sewn piece of velcro applied. I am a Silkstone Barbie collector, I have almost all of them since this line was inaugurated and I know that so that the value of the dolls is not compromised it is important to leave them in their original condition and not to tamper with anything ... But there is a limit to everything !! , because this doll, under these conditions, is an insult to the BFMC line. I decided to improve the improvable, unstitched the horrible Velcro from the skirt, blouse and belt and replaced with very small and flat snaps. I slipped a hexagonal-shaped golden buckle to the belt black ribbon and sewed 5 round autentical perl beads on the shirt jabot, just below the black bow, to finish the seam made above the curl, also badly done. About the difference in color between the lace of the blouse, an ivory tone and that of the jabot, pure white, little can be done but the natural pearls color recalls that of the shirt and brings everything back into harmony. On the back of the shirt I fixed 5 pearls as buttons, making some buttonholes with the thread. With these interventions, if you overlap the jacket, the flaw of the fold in the back disappears. It is possible to improve the appearance of the jacket by ironing the internal seams, in order to reduce its thickness. Nothing can be done about the burnt edges of the fabric, because in my opinion this jacket was not built to be lined. I was shocked by the poor quality of the material the body was built with: The plastic has scratches in various places, is too light, and black pivot points there is no good finishing of the pieces.As you rightly considered, the choice of this anorexic-like body is not in line with the size of the head. These dolls, naked, look like hydrocephalus and the ass is completely flat. 😓 It is certainly a shame that this line of dolls is at an end but my idea is that since they produce them in this sloppy way maybe better they stop.

I agree she is a very pretty doll and the idea was really fabulous... But, I don't get why there is no lining in the suit, the blouse is beautiful but I feel she should have came with a cute bra or something underneath... And yes shear black leggings with a round-toe Mary Jane pump would look cute

I've been debating if I wanted to get this one or not

Linda 💕💕💕

где ты заказывал эту куклу?

Awesome doll. Mine's on the way. I just started collecting barbies again as an adult...I'm super bummed that silkstones are being discontinued. What's left for adults or serious collectors? Those star wars dolls are pretty gross looking for the most part imo.

I hope suresh does a silkstone giveaway 😩💕

Is it the light or what, are her hands a different color than her arms? She is pretty and the outfit is pretty too, but too bad on the last of the dolls they are starting to "cheap" out with velcro. The little blouse is very pretty, but again, with velcro. I think I like that other barbie you should from the 2008? Now she was really pretty and I really liked her makeup better.

OMG Suresh, Barbie looks so gorgeous and beautiful and her outfit and veil looks fantastic I love you Suresh ❤ kisses 😚😚😚

Love u

Suresh, you do a great review as always and I wish you many more years of reviewing new fashion dolls, but this doll was a disappointment. Your a polite gentleman for being a positive person, but Mattel needs to get it together. Fashion royalty is whipping Barbie's ass in quality, execution and fabulous detail, which you have shown numerous times on your reviews. Mattel will never get better if we continue to buy their dolls at high end prices for play line quality. Velcro fasteners on a silkstone Barbie is just pitiful! The doll is actually very pretty. Love her makeup, but the finish of her outfit and lack of detail sucks! I'll buy her nude for a good price, but not going to get her as a whole presentation doll. Thanks again for a great review. Stay safe and positive.

😢🖤💛💚😢😢

I love the doll, the outfit is very poor quality, the hairdo has a bit too much glue. I hope someday Mattel will bring back the Silkstone dolls and the quality that they were known for.

💛 could you 👗drape, a African American or ethic doll🤔. You are so talented with your creativity🤴.

* Matel

haven't seen you with the beard.....so cute.. and manly

Beautiful Face, I’m Not A Fan Of The Body🤔🤔🤔