For 50 years, this girl has always had the right outfit whether she was flying to the moon or running for president. But try buying off the rack when your bust is 200% of your waist. This extreme hourglass has been limited to custom made creations for her 11.5 inch frame from the likes of Dior, Vera Wang, Gucci, Versace, Bob Mackie, Anna Sui, Carolina Herrera, Badgley Mischka, and more.

It’s a good thing Barbie has had hundreds of professions from art teacher to surgeon to UNICEF diplomat to Canadian Mountie and McDonald’s cashier to pay down her exorbitant wardrobe bills.

Fortunately the rest of us don’t have to extend our budgets to the same extremes as this fashion icon. This week, we’ll focus on how we can make the most of our fashion investments. Click on back soon for the Empire Rules of shopping. In the mean time, eat some pink frosted cupcakes and kiss your Ken.