New Doll Hospital Gowns!

After 8 years, American Girl is finally updating the Doll Hospital Gown! The below images are from American Girl's official Instagram. The bottom images were posted a few weeks ago. (although really, they're from 2012. Camille was photoshopped into the picture in 2016, when the WellieWishers were released.) I'm excited for this new gown. It looks nice, and looks more like an actual hospital gown! 

Actually, if I'm being honest, it reminds me of the first hospital gown, from 1989-2006. I have to admit, I was getting really tired of the pink one, and now I have three. I got one from Skylar's head replacement in 2018, a second with Felicity's ear piercing and torso replacement in early 2020, and a third when I sent her back for a zip tie instead of strings in mid-2020 after the COVID-19 closures. I'd honestly thought (And slightly hoped) she'd come back with one of those paper-but-it's-not-actually-paper-it's-a-thin-fabric gowns. Heh, I have as many gowns as I do 18-inch dolls!

Looks like #57 is finally retiring from modeling for the doll hospital after 9 years of service, while brunette Bitty Baby continues his services for the 8th year. You aren't getting any compliments from me, Camille. You only worked for 4 years before retiring. Tsk, tsk. 

 

Now for a bit of history about the Doll Hospital! It was started in 1989, 3 years after the American Girls Collection was released. At the time, the only way to admit a doll was by sending a doll in with the admission form, which was available in every catalogue. Once the AG website was up and running in (I believe 1998), you could print the form from there. In 2006, the gown was changed from the classic blue striped gown. In 2012 the gown was changed again, and in 2020, the entire admission process was overhauled. Instead of filling out a form and sending the doll in with payment, you now fill out a thing online and pay there. You will then get a printable shipping label. I assume this is to prevent payment getting lost in shipping, making customers pay again. (Really, AG?! You couldn't have done this BEFORE you held Felicity for ransom?)

Photo Credit: Nethilia from the AG Wiki
1989-2006 
Each doll came with a gown, ID bracelet, Certificate of Good Health, band-aid sticker, and Get Well Soon Balloon.

Photo Credit: AG Wiki
2006-2012
Gown 2 came with all previous accessories, plus purple hair ribbon(s) were tied in her hair. Bitty Baby received a purple beanie instead of the bracelet and ribbons. (Where would they even tie it?? Their hair is molded on!)

Photo Credit: American Girl
2012-2020
Gown 3 was a bit different. Instead of closing with two ties like the previous gowns, it now closes with two small squares of velcro. The dolls no longer came with a balloon, but now received white hospital socks with a pink heart on the sides. Initially came with the sticker, but was later removed.

Photo Credit: American Girl Instagram
2020-
Gown 4 has the American Girl logo on the center of the chest instead of on the left breast. It does not say "Doll Hospital" anywhere, unlike the previous gowns. It looks nice, and much more believable as a hospital gown than the previous one, so I'd be more likely to use it. And is that a little teddy bear? Aw. I'm assuming it comes with the Bitty Babies, and possibly the WellieWishers. 

Overall, I feel like the original gown that was available for 17 years looks the most like a hospital gown, although the new one is a close second. The second and third gowns look the most stylized. 

Which is your favorite? Mine is the purple one. Hmm, now I've just got to hunt one down...

'til Next Time! - JCole