1977 Sindy Outfits and Separates
1977 was the year of the Queen Elizabeth II’s Silver Jubilee and many collectors remember this year in particular for the gorgeous ‘Royal Occasion’ boxed doll which was made to mark this special Royal milestone.
But 1977 also marked Pedigree’s continued innovation in terms of Sindy’s clothes and this year saw the introduction of another popular clothing range which was subsequently re-used in following years – the ‘Mix n Match fashions’. Colour co-ordinated clothes were beginning to be introduced by shops and now it was possible to buy shirts, skirts, tops, trousers & bags all in one place without having to search up and down the high street to find something to complement or match what you had bought. Pedigree had for many years introduced outfits which included a matching pair of trousers, a skirt and jacket providing additional outfit dressing value, but the ‘Mix n Match fashions’ took this concept to a whole new level mirroring what could now be found in almost every department store and something we take for granted today. We will show the Sindy Mix n Match fashions at the bottom of each page so that they don’t get confused with the other outfits released in that year.
We also see quite a lot of rationalisation and reuse in 1977, the same basic jacket was used three times for different outfits with just different lapels and fastening detail. The same cravat was used for two different outfits and the ‘Riding Out’ and ‘High Style’ jumpers were another reuse. Another interesting example is the instructions for Sindy’s boots.
As shown in 1976 Sindy, the boots came with a slip of paper instructing the use of talcum powder. In 1977 whilst the instructions were still included they were simplified, and no longer included the text, which meant that the slip of paper could be used in any country.
The short-haired Funtime was not carried forward as part of the 1977 Pedigree range. The story of the Funtime dolls is a marketing rather than a product issue. There was strong demand to have a low price point doll (approx around the £1.99 mark) and therefore there was a need to save cost so as to make a profit. One way of doing this was to reduce the doll’s specification with shorter hair with less poseability. The outfit for Funtimes had to be simple to meet the price point, and they were always in the smallest & cheapest box possible (again to save cost). This was an entry point doll and there was always huge demand but so that it was not oversold, the quantity allowed to enter the UK market was always limited to about 100,000 per year. However after experimenting with short hair, it was proven that long-haired dolls were required for this range to be truly successful, so long hair became the standard for all Sindy dolls including the Funtimes. The basic body for the Funtime specification was retained, and probably to save costs and to offset the need for longer hair, the bodies themselves became a little more basic using a thinner plastic and with a less detailed mould for the hands and arms.
Five dolls are catalogued in the Pedigree literature for 1977:
- Weekender Sindy (Ref 44613 – international reference 44612) – a Sindy with a poseable head, twist n turn waist and bendable click-click legs wearing a new outfit of trendy trousers and top.
- Superstar Sindy (Ref 44614 – international reference 44615) an active Sindy dressed in a new skating outfit.
- Funtime Sindy (Ref 44619 – international reference 44681) – this version was the basic Sindy wearing a simple shift dress, although she had a poseable head, twist n turn waist and bendable click-click legs. She replaced the short-haired 1976 basic Funtime and now she had the long hair that could be styled.
- Active Sindy (Ref 44654 – international reference 44655), the ballerina, was still available but her outfit was updated.
- Royal Occasion Sindy (Ref 44660 – international reference 44659) – Pedigree’s Silver Jubilee commemorative doll came in a beautifully decorated, illustrated box depicting scenes associated with the Queen such as Royal Ascot and the Changing of the Guards at Buckingham Palace. She was only shown in the style leaflet and was missing from the trade catalogue.
The labels changed again and nearly all the labels we have found are the older style early 1970s paper labels printed in green on white paper which said “Made in Hong Kong” with a letter or number in green edged boxes. Although some of the ‘Mix n Match’ fashions and the ‘Autumn Leaves’ variation have the same sort of label printed in red. Poppers are mostly the distinctive chrome coloured metal popper with the back facing and/or sewn-on metal snap fasteners. We also encounter a few uses of velcro.
According to the Trade Catalogue and Style Leaflet, none of the outfits from 1976 were carried forward however the three accessory sets:
- Finishing Touches (Ref 44401)
- Globe Trotter (Ref 44402)
- Dress in Style (Ref 44403)
were still available and the photos used in the Pedigree literature now matched the actual accessories.
Weekender Sindy (Ref 44613 - international reference 44612) (Boxed doll outfit)
This outfit consisted of a white nylon short-sleeved T-shirt top printed with the Sindy logo in red. The top opened down the back and fastened at the back of the neck with one chrome coloured metal popper with the back facing. It came with a pair of red cotton trousers with a fly opening which fastened with one sewn-on metal snap fastener. There was a matching red cotton saddle-shaped shoulder bag with a rectangular flap which fastened with one sewn-on metal snap fastener, and for her feet a pair of white slip-on mules.
This T-shirt is very similar to a later outfit which consists of T-shirt and shorts on a bunches Sindy and quite often they get muddled up. This T-shirt has a ® mark after the Sindy logo whilst the later T-shirt does not and the other T-shirt also has a different fastening.
Superstar Sindy (Ref 44614 - international reference 44615) (Boxed doll outfit)
Following the popularity of ice skating at the 1976 Winter Olympics, Sindy was given a new skating outfit which was described as “captures all the glamour of the ice-skating world”. Sindy’s new skating outfit was a scooped-necked, dusky pink stretch nylon leotard with matching skating skirt. The skirt was the same shape as Active Sindy’s tutu and it had a sewn-on waistband and fastened at the back of the waist with a small piece of velcro. Unlike Sindy’s previous skating outfits, this outfit did not have any tights but it came with a pair of detailed white plastic skating boots with silver painted plastic blades. Sindy had her own gold coloured plastic winners medal. It was star-shaped and embossed with a Sindy “S” and threaded onto a blue textured ribbon. Her hair was tied back with a pink ribbon (not shown).
The Sindy Skater got her own ice skates instructions.
Funtime Sindy (Ref 44619 - international reference 44681) (Boxed doll outfit)
This doll wore a simple V-necked, sleeveless shift dress made of blue denim cotton. The V-neck was backed with stiffening fabric to maintain the integrity of the shape. The edges of the armholes were finished with the material folded and stitched with red cotton. This contrasting red stitching detail was also used to decorate the neck and hem. The dress fastened at the back of the neck with one chrome coloured metal popper with the back facing. Red slip-on mules accompanied this outfit.
This dress has a paper label with the Sindy logo printed in black similar to the 1976 label.
Active Sindy (Ref 44654 - international reference 44655) (Updated boxed doll outfit)
Pedigree’s popular ballerina got a new outfit for 1977. The changes were to her tutu skirt and ballet shoes. She still wore the short-sleeved leotard made of white stretch-nylon, with a scoop neckline to the front and deep V-shaped back trimmed with a white satin binding. For her legs she continued to wear a pair of thick white nylon fishnet tights. Her tutu was made of four layers of deep pink honeycomb netting with an additional top layer of a very fine white translucent netting trimmed at the hem with white nylon lace (which is not the same as the lace shown in the Pedigree literature which looks to be the same as the lilac tutu lace – a prototype perhaps?). The waistband was made of a white nylon binding and it fastened at the back of the waist with a velcro strip fastening.
Sindy’s new ballet shoes were made of moulded pink plastic ballet shoes. Attached to the back of the heels were new plastic ties which fastened together with a push-through ball fastening. The original lilac satin ribbon for her hair was replaced by a pink one.
Sindy came with instructions on how to fasten her new ballet shoes.
Along with the new outfit and redesigned ballet shoes, Active Sindy got a new stand. It was moulded from a single piece of plastic but was still a single leg holder. It had a rectangular base and underneath it said “HONG KONG” top left and bore the Sindy logo bottom centre.
This stand was a Pedigree Active Sindy accessory until her demise.
We know of two different lace trims that was used for this outfit, the outfit shown above is the one that is most commonly seen in the UK. The fastenings at the back of this dress are two sewn-on metal snap fasteners. The dress right has a much more delicate lace trim and this dress fastened with two chrome coloured metal poppers with the backs facing. Interestingly the lace on this dress matches that shown in the poster used to advertise this doll at the time. We think this may have been the international version.
This boxed doll was only shown in the 1977 Sindy style leaflet, and we have never seen that particular dress, which had a much fancier netting on the lower sleeves and skirt – as with others we think it must have been a prototype.
Royal Occasion Sindy (Ref 44660 - international reference 44659) (Boxed doll outfit)
Described as a “Beautiful doll for a Royal Occasion” this Sindy wore a floor-length gown made of cream cotton embellished with a cream eyelet patterned nylon netting. Ideal for Ascot, a Buckingham Palace garden party or Henley Regatta, it had half-length sleeves made in cotton with the patterned cream net attached from the elbows to the wrists. The sleeves were decorated with a cream cotton & nylon lace trim around the elbow and at the wrists. The bodice had a stand-up lace collar made from the same cream nylon lace, which was also used to create a square-shaped yoke on the front and back of the dress. The bodice was shaped with two darts at the front of the waist. The long A-line skirt had an over-skirt made of the same cream patterned netting as the lower sleeves and it was decorated with five bands of the cream lace. To match the dress, Sindy wore a large floppy brimmed hat made of the cream cotton with the edge of the brim trimmed with the matching lace. To complete this outfit Sindy was given a parasol with a cream plastic spine and crook handle. The canopy was made from the cream cotton with two layers of lace around the edge and one layer gathered around the tip. The canopy was artfully stitched into elegant folds with one fold folded back to provide additional detailing. Although one might have expected this outfit to be accompanied by cream shoes, this outfit has normally been found MIB (Mint In Box) with white round-toed court shoes.
Left is the illustration used by Pedigree for the 1977 Poster to celebrate the Queen’s Siver Jubilee.
Riding Out (Ref 44289) (Updated outfit)
In 1977, Sindy’s riding trousers changed from the quite formal cotton jodhpurs of the previous outfits to stretch-nylon breeches with inside knee pads. This year her breeches were made of a beige nylon with darker beige brushed nylon knee pads with a co-ordinating cream coloured stitching. They had a sewn on waistband made of the beige nylon, a fly opening and they fastened with one sewn-on metal snap fastener. It had white elasticated stirrups. Sindy’s top was now a long-sleeved red ribbed knitted cotton jumper. It had a sewn-on polo-neck, cuffs, and waistband made of the same material. It opened down the back and fastened with two sewn-on metal snap fasteners – one at the back of the neck and the other at the back of the waist. The outfit came with a pair of Sindy’s black plastic riding boots but our MIP (Mint In Packet) outfit does not have the flat-heel boots shown in the Pedigree literature but came instead with a pair of her new riding boots with heels (see below) and a long brown plastic riding crop. On the back of the card was a small printed piece of paper which again advised the owner to use talc before putting the boots (see above).
This is the same jumper as is used for ‘High Style’ (ref 44302) below.
Denim Double (Ref 44290)
A really fashionable jeans and jacket ensemble. The jacket was particularly nice and thoughtfully designed. It was a blue denim “Levis” style bomber jacket with long sleeves, a sewn-on collar, slightly turned back lapels, and a sewn-on waistband. The edges of the jacket (but not the sleeves) were stitched with a co-ordinating red thread. So as to provide shape to the jacket, it had four sewn-in folds in the waistband, two at the back and one on each side at the front of the jacket . The jacket fastened with a metal snap fastener sewn on to the waistband at the front. On the left breast a bronze coloured plastic ship’s wheel was sewn to the jacket (we have not seen the red fabric version shown in the Pedigree literature which we think must have been the prototype). The matching jeans were slightly flared with a sewn-on waistband and two jeans-style patch pockets at the back. The side seams, the edges of the pockets, fly opening and the waistband were also decorated with red stitching. The jeans had a front-fly opening and fastened with one sewn-on metal snap fastener. This outfit came with a pair of red slip-on mules.
Romany Girl (Ref 44291)
Gypsy-style skirts were very much in fashion in 1977 and so of course Sindy had one. Her outfit consisted of a skirt, top and shawl, a lovely combination for a summery day. The midi-length A-line skirt was made of patterned blue cotton. It had a sewn-on waistband, and attached to skirt just below the knee was a deep frill of the same material with the seam decorated with a strip of white broderie anglais. The skirt fastened at the back of the waist with either a sewn-on metal snap faster or one chrome coloured metal popper with the back facing. A strappy slightly V-shaped top accompanied this outfit. It was made of yellow nylon with the neckline bound with the same material as the skirt. The skirt material was also used to make the shoulder straps. The top opened down the back and fastened with one sewn-on metal snap fastener. The triangular-shaped shawl was also made of the same material as the skirt, the long edge was hemmed but the two short edges were not providing a gently frayed fringe effect. This outfit came with a pair of yellow slip-on mules.
We know of two patterns for the blue cotton. The first shown above is in the Pedigree literature and consisted of red, yellow and white roses and flowers with black leaves on a darker blue background (this version had the sewn-on metal snap fastener on the skirt). The second pattern is of stylised ladies with wide bell-shaped skirts made from green, red, yellow and white geometric shapes on a lighter blue background (this version had the chrome coloured metal popper with the back facing).
Little Things (Ref 44292)
A pretty underwear combination set consisting of two bras, two pairs of pants and a half-slip. The bras and pants came in two colours, peach and pale blue and they were made of brushed nylon. The neckline of the bras and the leg holes of the pants were trimmed with white cotton rick rack. The same rick rack was used for the bra’s shoulder straps which fastened at the back with velcro. The pants had quite high elasticated waists which used a white elastic with a crochet edge. The half-slip (see photo below) was made of a pale blue silky nylon and it had an elasticated waist with double row of peach lace decorating the hem. Some half-slips have been found which are more a mauve-blue rather than a pale blue – we cannot say if this is because a different batch of material was used in their manufacture or whether they have changed colour over time – we suspect the latter because the material for this slip is very similar to the one used for the ‘Misty Blue’ nighty which does discolour (see below). We would be pleased to hear other collector’s views on this aspect. This outfit came with a pair of white one-strap sandals.
Cook-In (Ref 44293) (aka Cook-in and Cook In) (Updated outfit)
This outfit was called “Cook-In’ in the trade catalogue, ‘Cook-in’ in the style leaflet but it was still named ‘Cook In’ on the packets.
This updated version consisted of a woven cotton knee-length, short-sleeved yellow shift dress. This dress had three rows of outward facing darts running down the front of the dress from each shoulder. The short sleeves had turned-up cuffs and the neckline was bound with the same material. This dress fastened at the back with a sewn-on metal snap fastener. It came with a bib apron made of brown drill cotton decorated with two parallel white chalk stripes. The apron had patch pocket on the front with a brown polyester neck strap and ties which fastened at the back of the waist. There was a matching pair of oven gloves and it came with brown tassel shoes. We have these both the 1976 and 1977 outfits MIP (Mint In Packet) and loose, and we think the later aprons and gloves are a slightly darker brown. The Pedigree literature again showed Sindy holding a blue plate but our 1977 MIP versions do not contain this accessory.
The slippers for this outfit are very cute. They were a pair of Sindy’s white one-strap sandals with a piece of the tie belt ribbon fashioned into a bow and stitched to the top of the strap.
Lullaby Lace (Ref 44294)
The first of Sindy’s bedtime outfits for 1977 is lovely and consisted of a shortie cotton nightdress and dressing gown with co-ordinating slippers. Made from pale yellow textured cotton the knee-length nightdress had a rounded neckline and shoulder straps trimmed with white nylon lace. It fastened at the back with one sewn-on metal snap fastener. The matching dressing gown had short sleeves and again they were beautifully designed with intricate little folds along the top of each shoulder. All the edges of the dressing gown were trimmed with the white nylon lace and it had a yellow ribbon tie belt which was stitched to the back of the waist.
Bath In Style (Ref 44295)
This outfit was a new full length bathrobe for Sindy, replacing her shortie bathrobe ‘High & Dry’ from 1976. Again the colours complimented Sindy’s bathroom scenesetters and the accompanying bath linen. Made of white cotton towelling, it had long sleeves and the edges of the sleeves and the neck and front panels were bound with chocolate brown cotton. It had a long tie belt made of the same brown cotton which was folded over and stitched. This tie belt was stitched to the back of the waist. There was a match mob cap style shower cap made of chocolate brown cotton with an elasticated edge trimmed with white nylon lace. This outfit also came with a pair of white one-strap sandals.
City Shopper (Ref 44296)
A smart two piece summer skirt suit with a matching sunhat. This outfit was made of a printed floral cotton with aqua green, blue, white and yellow stylised flowers, stems and leaves on a red background. The simple A-line skirt hang to just below Sindy’s knee and had a sewn-on waistband and fastened at the back of the waist with a sewn-on metal snap fastener. The hip-length shirt-styled jacket had short sleeves again detailed with two small folds in the top of each shoulder seam. It had a sewn-on shawl collar and a tie belt made from the same fabric. The tie belt was stitched to the back of the waist. The shirt fastened at the front with two sewn-on metal snap fasteners. The matching hat had a crown made of four triangular sections of the same material as the suit sewn together with a brim of the same fabric. It came with a pair of yellow tassel shoes.
Misty Blue (Ref 44300)
Sindy’s second night time ensemble for 1977. This one was a boudoir style nightie and negligee set. The nightie was made of a baby blue finely ribbed silky nylon with blue satin ribbon shoulder straps. Both the neckline and the hem were trimmed with white nylon lace. The floor length nightie fastened at the back with one chrome coloured metal popper with the back facing. The co-ordinating negligee was calf-length and therefore shorter than the nightie, giving the outfit an elegant tiered effect. The negligee was made of very pale blue netting with an eyelet pattern embroidered with a darker pale blue thread. It had three-quarter length sleeves and a gathered collarless neckline stitched to two rows of elasticated thread. The edges of the sleeves, front panels and the hem were trimmed with the same white nylon lace as was used for the nightie. The negligee fastened at the neck with two blue satin ribbon ties (the same as the nightie’s shoulder straps).
Similarly to the ‘Little Things’ half-slip the fabric of this nightie can discolour becoming quite mauve-blue.
We know of two variations of this outfit, one is the more common powder blue version with a green printed paper label and the other is a very light blue with a red printed paper label.
We have also seen a grey version of this outfit but we don’t that to show you.
Autumn Days (Ref 44301)
Made of a soft finely woven linen type material, this pale blue cape flecked with white thread is a work of art. It is made from seven panels of fabric. Three at the back and four at the front. The edge of the collar, the hem and the seams of the front panels are highlighted with small white stitching. The cape had a sewn-on rounded collar and two arm slits in the front panel seams at hip height. The cape fastened at the front with two sewn-on metal snap fasteners, one at the neck and the other at the waist. There was a matching hat, with white stitching around the brim, and a narrow bright yellow satin ribbon hatband which was fastened in a bow. A length of bright yellow ribbon ½ inch wide was included as a cravat, for this detail see the MIB (Mint In Box) outfit below. This ribbon was also used for the cravat for ‘County Set’ (see below). This outfit came with yellow tassel shoes.
High Style (Ref 44302)
Sindy’s culotte suit was another stylish addition to her wardrobe. The suit was made from off-white/cream cotton. The fitted slightly bell-shaped jacket had long sleeves, a sewn-on collar and slightly concave reverse lapels. At the back it had a centre seam ending in a pleat providing additional shaping. The jacket fastened at the front of the waist with one sewn-on metal snap fastener. The matching wide-legged culottes had a sewn-on waistband and fastened with a sewn-on metal snap fastener at the back of the waist. Sindy’s top was now a long-sleeved red ribbed knitted cotton jumper. It had a sewn-on turtle-neck, cuffs, and waistband made of the same material. It opened down the back and fastened with two sewn-on metal snap fasteners – one at the back of the neck and the other at the back of the waist. This outfit came with a pair of fashionable red knee-high boots.
The top for this outfit has caused some head scratching. The Pedigree Trade catalogue described it as a “nylon jumper”, however we have never seen one of these. Our tops for ‘High Life’ are red ribbed knitted cotton jumpers, and we also have this outfit Mint in Box. These jumpers are identical to the top used for Sindy’s new ‘Riding Out’ (Ref 44289) horse riding outfit which we also have Mint in Packet, and is shown above.
Under her jacket Sindy wore a fashionable sleeveless waistcoat top with a V-neckline and two darts at the front of the waist for a fitted tailored shape (see photo right). A strip of velcro was stitched to whole length of the front opening ensuring that top completely fastened down the whole of her front.
Sunshine Girl (Ref 44303)
A cheerful bright yellow trouser suit made of woven linen-like material. The jacket was very similar in shape to the jacket from ‘High Life’ (see above) and it was another fitted, slightly bell-shaped jacket with long sleeves. It had a sewn-on collar but with large straight-cut triangular-shaped reverse lapels. At the back it also had the centre seam ending in a pleat providing additional shaping but it did not have any fasteners. The matching trousers were slightly flared with a sewn-on waistband and a front-fly opening which fastened with one sewn-on metal snap fastener.
This outfit came with chocolate brown hobo style shoulder bag made of brush nylon trimmed with brown cotton bias binding around the opening. The same binding was used to make the strap. A nice little touch that we have found with a MIB (Mint in Box) outfit is that the bag was padded with tissue paper showing off the casual shape of the bag. The outfit came with a pair of brown tassel shoes.
Lunch Date (Ref 44304)
This outfit is very interesting in that some collectors love it and others hate it. To us, this outfit echoes the quite functional “look” of the 1940s, in particular with the turban-style hat and the pinafore dress, but updated to reflect the 1970s with the polo-neck top and modern boots.
The calf-length pinafore dress was made of a creamy white floral cotton decorated with delicate stylised floral sprigs in pink, grey and black. The pinafore was shift-style dress with a square neckline and and sewn-on cap sleeves. It fastened at the back of the neck with one chrome coloured metal popper with the back facing. To provide shape the pinafore dress was clinched at the waist with a separate deep pink belt made of nylon. It had an unusual slide buckle made of two gold coloured metal circles affixed together. One end of the belt was threaded through both rings and stitched into place. To fasten the belt the other end was threaded through and pulled tight. Underneath the pinafore dress Sindy was given a deep pink nylon polo-neck top made of the same fabric as the belt. It had long sleeves with sewn-on cuffs and it opened down the back and fastened at the back of the neck with one sewn-on metal snap fastener. The hat was made of two semi-circles of the pink nylon material stitched together and with one end gathered to a create the ruched effect. The ruches were worn at the front creating the turban-style effect. This outfit came with a pair of co-ordinating grey knee-high boots.
Night Spot (Ref 44305)
One of Sindys most glamorous and elegant evening wear ensembles, this outfit consisted a floor-length cream satin dress with a fitted choker-style halter-neck bodice. The bodice had two darts at the front to provide shape and was a attached to tow diagonal straps made of chocolate brown satin which were stitched to a choker made of the cream satin. The skirt was a simple A-line design which showed off the real beauty of this material. The choker fastened with a square of velcro at the back of the neck and the dress was fastened with two chrome coloured metal poppers with the backs facing. The floor length edge-to-edge evening coat was made of brown satin, it had long sleeves. The neck and front edges of the coat were trimmed with a gorgeous ½ inch wide strip of intricately woven gold braid. For Sindy’s head there was a matching headband made of the same gold braid which were normally sewn to a piece of cotton elastic tape, although we do have one which is just a band of braid. For her feet Sindy had a pair of brown tassel shoes
Out of Town (Ref 44306)
A coat and trousers outfit ideal for time out in the countryside. The thigh-length coat was described by Pedigree as a being a “fur-lined imitation sheepskin coat”. It was long-sleeved suedette jacket but in fact it was not completely lined with fur. The brown suedette was trimmed with champagne coloured faux fur around the cuffs, which was also stitched onto the sewn-on collar, and down the inside front edges of the coat. Whilst the turned back lapels showed the faux fur off to good effect, the fur stitched on the inside front edges also gave the impression of a completely fur-lined jacked which was a very nice touch. The coat fastened at the front with two sewn-on metal snap fasteners. This outfit came with a pair of creamy off-white coloured straight-legged trousers. They were made of thin cotton with a front fly opening which fastened with one sewn-on metal snap fastener. The outfit came with a pair of brown tassel shoes.
The same length of bright yellow ribbon ½ inch wide as was used for ‘Autumn Days’ (see above) was again included as a cravat, for this detail see the MIB (Mint In Box) outfit below.
County Set (Ref 44307)
Here is another iconic Sindy outfit which is liked by many collectors. This outfit again featured the bell-shaped jacket as used for ‘High Life’ and ‘Sunshine Girl’ (see above) but again with different lapel detailing. Made of a rich tan coloured drill cotton, this was another fitted, slightly bell-shaped jacket with long sleeves. It had a sewn-on collar but the reverse lapels were smaller and were now rounded. At the back it also had the centre seam ending in a pleat providing additional shaping and it fastened at the front under the breast with one sewn on metal snap fastener. This outfit came with a distinctive pair of matching knickerbockers (reminiscent of the old style plus fours).They were straight-cut and gathered below the knee where they were bound with a strip of the same material. They had a fly-opening and fastened with a sewn-on metal snap fastener. To soften this rather masculine look, Sindy was given a pretty long-sleeved cotton blouse with sewn-on pointed collar. The pattern contrasted beautifully with the austere suit and was a printed floral design of light blue, dark blue, mustard yellow and tan flowers on a white background. The blouse fastened at the front with one sewn-on metal snap fastener. This outfit came with a pair of brown knee-high boots. To complete the outfit Sindy was given a pair of yellow “field glasses” (as described by Pedigree) or binoculars. This little accessory had some very nice detailing with “Sindy” moulded along the length of the binoculars and contrasting black lens caps and a black plastic neck strap.
Beautiful Bride (Ref 44308)
Sindy was given a new bridal gown in 1977 which again reflected the latest fashion for dreamy, romantic medieval-styled dresses. Sindy’s wedding dress was two dresses – an simple underdress and separate flowing pretty overdress. This two-dress design which was subsequently re-used for a number of Sindy’s Wedding dresses in the years that followed.
The underdress was a simple sleeveless floor-length dress, it has a round neckline which was slightly lower at the front and it was made of white finely ribbed silky nylon (the same material as used for ‘Misty Blue’ see above). It fastened at the back with one chrome coloured metal popper with the back facing. The floor-length overdress was made of white netting with an eyelet pattern embroidered with a white thread (again similar to the ‘Misty Blue’ negligee and different to the pattern shown in the Pedigree literature). This pretty delicate dress had an empire-line bodice with a scooped neckline and batwing sleeves. Attached to the skirt at knee height was a flounce of the same lace netting. The neckline, end of the sleeves, hemline and the seams where the front of the bodice and the flounce were attached to the skirt were trimmed with a delicate white nylon lace. The dress was fastened at the back with two chrome coloured metal poppers with the backs facing.
In keeping with the medieval theme Sindy was given a very fashionable headdress which we think looks like stylised juliet cap and veil (although we have seen it described as a pill-box type cap). The cap was made of the same nylon at the underdress and it was backed with a white stiffener to help it keep its shape. The generous veil was made of the same material as the over dress and was a large circle of fabric edged with white nylon lace (which was not the lace used on the overdress. One section was left without the lace trim and was gathered and stitched to the underside of the cap. To keep the veil on Sindy’s head a piece of cotton covered elastic thread was stitched to the cap.
For this outfit, Sindy was given a new bouquet of pink toned stiff cotton fabric flowers backed with a large white cotton guipure lace flower and trimmed with two pink satin ribbon streamers. For her feet she had a pair of white tassel shoes.
1977 Mix n Match Fashions
Sindy’s first ever on-pack promotion came with these fashions, a write-in offer for a child’s size Sindy T-shirt which could be exchanged for purchasing three of the eight packs. It came in two sizes, 24″ and 26″/28″. The example below has never been removed from its packaging and as you can see it was made in India and looks to be quite good quality.
Ref 44155 - international reference 44165
A blue long-sleeved wraparound thick cotton long-line jacket with a matching tie belt with a white cotton triangular scarf with a blue & green floral pattern.
The material for this jacket was the same material as used the blue skirt (Ref 44161) shown below, but the matching blue cotton blouse (Ref 44156) and the blue trousers (Ref 44162) were made of a thinner blue cotton.
Ref 44156 - international reference 44166
Two tops. The first was a pretty pink long-sleeved polyester top with a square-cut neckline and a sewn-on waistband. It opened down the back and fastened with two sewn-on metal snap fasteners. The second top was a blue short-sleeved blouse with a sewn-on collar with triangular lapels. Each sleeve had two folds sewn into the shoulder seam and a turned-back cuff. It fastened with one sewn-on metal snap fastener at the front.
Ref 44157 - international reference 44167
Two skirts. A pink thick cotton A-line skirt with a front panel and two tab faux-pockets. The skirt had a sewn-on waistband and fastened at the back of the waist with a sewn-on metal snap fastener. The second skirt was also an A-line skirt, it was made of yellow cotton decorated with white sprigs with an elegant double pleat at the front. It had a sewn-on waistband and fastened at the back of the waist with a sewn-on metal snap fastener. This set came with a pair of white round-toed court shoes.
Ref 44158 - international reference 44168
A lovely pink acrylic plush faux-fur edge-to-edge jacket with long sleeves. The edges of this jacket were simply cut and left unfinished, probably due to the thickness of the material.
Ref 44159 - international reference 44169
A yellow cotton towelling ribbed jumper with long sleeves and a round neckline. This top opened down the back and fastened at the back with a sewn-on metal snap fastener. To go with the jumper there was a sweet little handbag made of the same material as the yellow cotton skirt decorated with white sprigs. It had fashionable circular-shaped white plastic handles with the material sewn over the plastic rings.
Ref 44160 - international reference 44170
Described as “the teenagers fashion scene”, this pack contained two printed white nylon short-sleeved, round-necked T-shirts. The T-shirts opened down the back and fastened with a sewn-on metal snap fastener at the back of the neck. Both had printed emblems, one had a teddy bear’s head wearing a red bow tie with the word “SMILER” printed beneath and the other one had a printed green and orange beach ball or football with the phrase “NICE ONE SINDY” underneath.
We have read that this British phrase originally came from “Nice One, Cyril” from the Wonderloaf bread advert in 1972 (the last baker to be congratulated was called Cyril and the advert ended with the phrase). The slogan caught on in a small way but took off when football fans chanted it in homage to the Tottenham Hotspur left-back Cyril Knowles, a chart song followed in 1973 (by the Cockerel Chorus), and “Nice One” has been a popular expression of approval ever since.
Ref 44162 - international reference 44172
A blue thick cotton A-line skirt with a sewn-on waistband. It fastened at the back of the waist with a sewn-on metal snap fastener. Also in this pack was pair of pink thin cotton trousers with a fly opening which fastened with a sewn-on metal snap fastener. A pair of white tassel shoes was included.
Ref 44160 - international reference 44170
Two pairs of thin cotton trousers, one pair in blue and the other in yellow. The blue cotton trousers were made from the same fabric as the ‘Mix n Match’ blouse. They had fly openings and which fastened with a sewn-on metal snap fastener. A pair of white slip-on mules were included in this pack.
