Take an S, take an I, take an N, D, Y and what have you got? You've got SINDY, the doll you love to dress.  Check her out in our Sindy gallery
This was the new chant of 1963 when a hip new chick strolled on to the scene. She was thoroughly modern, sweet and sassy and the epitome of 60s cool. Where her American counterpart, Barbie was sophisticated, glamorous and grown-up, Sindy was someone you'd want as your mate, the definitive girl next door.  | | The Weekender |
Part of Sindy's appeal was the clothes she wore. Her style was achievable and easy to imitate. The first Sindy, 'The Weekender', wore blue jeans and a stripy pullover. Sindy took her inspiration from Mary Quant, French Connection and the quirky boutiques of London's King's Road. During the 70s and 80s Sindy moved with the times and proved that she was an example of play representing society. Sindy's trademark long, blond locks were transformed into a Lady Di pageboy during the princess's heyday. She even had clothes designed for her by the Emmanuels who designed the Royal wedding dress.  | | In a stylish Emmanuel design |
To help with this year's birthday celebrations Sindy expert, Carole Miles, has lent some of her collection to the National Trust Museum of Childhood at Sudbury. Carole's obsession began after a chance rummage through her parent's attic when she discovered her long lost first Sindy; "Her fingers were a bit chewed and her hair was frizzy but seeing her and all the clothes I'd collected as a child made me feel nostalgic so I started looking on the net and in collectors' magazines. "I'm a bit of a bargain basement collector myself, I do it for fun. Some dolls can go for over £800 but I think that's a bit steep. My best bargain was a 1968 side parting blonde Sindy, I found her at a flea market in a box full of pots and pans."  | | 70s Cool |
Just one look on Ebay and you'll see how popular Sindy collecting really is. As well as the dolls you can bid for Sindy houses, horses, swimming pools, jeeps and all manor of other accessories including her little sister Patch and her first boyfriend Paul. Unlike Barbie who stood by her man - the oh so boring 'Ken' - Sindy got bored with her fella. Paul got dumped and despite rumours of various flings with Action Man, our girl enjoyed something of a single life trying her hand at a variety of careers only settling back into a long term relationship when she met 'Robbie' in 1999. Check her out in our Sindy gallery Today Sindy's slimmed down and her face is more angular. She's still as chic as ever though, these days she zips around in an all-the-rage new style Mini Cooper. Sindy's enjoying her extended birthday and stay in Sudbury until November 2003. | 
