Sweet Sue Sophisticate

American Character's Sweet Sue Sophisticate was introduced in 1957 along with the subteen Sweet Sue with Flexible Foot. A year later, the company began marketing the Sophisticate doll with different outfits and slightly different face paint under the Toni name. Toni most often has painted lashes at the outer corner of each eye, while Sweet Sue Sophisticate has painted lashes below each eye. It should be noted that while this is the identifying feature, it is not a hard and fast rule. Dolls have been found with Sweet Sue Sophisticate face paint in Toni outfits and boxes.

The 20" version of Sweet Sue Sophisticate was also made in an unmarked version and sold to Dee & Cee, a Canadian Doll Company, who dressed her and marketed her as Sweet Sue Teen Age Doll.

Body Construction
Sweet Sue Sophisticate is a walking doll, 14" or 20" tall and all vinyl. She is jointed at the neck, shoulders, waist and hips. Her shoulders are flange jointed and only move forward and back, close to her body. The neck and waist joints are articulated to allow them to tilt as well as rotate. Her rooted hair is good quality and was made in blonde, red and brunette shades. It is most often styled in a curly bob with bangs but the Romance doll has a short bubblecut hairstyle. She has blue sleep eyes with brush lashes, and pierced ears with pearl drop earrings.

Markings
The 14" version of Sweet Sue Sophisticate is completely unmarked. The 20" version has "AMERICAN © CHARACTER" in a circle on her back.

Clothing
Sweet Sue Sophisticate was sold in a variety of glamorous outfits. Underneath them all, she wears taffeta panties, a strapless stretch lace bra and nylon hose. Her elastic-strap heels are accented with two rhinestones. Note: the number in the description refers to a source where a photo of the outfit may be found. See legend at the bottom of the page.

• Taffeta bubble dress with cap sleeves edged in lace and jeweled decoration at bodice; matching hat; black heels. Available in black, pale blue and deep blue, possibly other colors. See photo in #1.
• Bride is a white satin wedding gown with a knee-length skirt of rounded panels over full-length tiers of nylon tricot ruffles, matching ruffles on the neckline and long sleeves; hooped petticoat; pointed satin bridal cap trimmed in pearls with fingertip veil; bouquet; white shoes. Click here for photo. Click here to see a comparison of the Sweet Sue Sophisticate and Toni bridal caps.
• Cocktails is a dress of Chantilly lace over white satin, with attached chiffon stole. Also includes black lace-trimmed petticoat, black shoes. It was available in a black version as well as a red version in 14" and 20" sizes.
• Romance is a ball gown with silver lamé bodice and two-tiered nylon tricot skirt; long hooded satin coat with silver lamé lining; hooped petticoat; purse; rhinestone ring; shoes. Available in pink or blue versions. Click here to see photo of pink version. See photo of blue version in #4.
• Tea Time is a short-sleeved dress with satin bodice and cotton two-tiered accordian pleated skirt. This was available in blue (see photo above) or rose versions.

Packaging
Sweet Sue Sophisticate's box is shown in the photo above. All dolls came with a wrist tag with a pink and black poodle illustration, that touted her as "your grown up doll."

Thanks to Wendy Bailey and Susan Lawson for help with this page.

Additional sources for this page include:

1. "American Dolls From the Post-War Era: 1945-1965" by Florence Theriault
2. "The Doll and Teddy Bear Department" edited by Thomas W. Holland
3. "Modern Collector's Dolls, Sixth Series" by Patricia R. Smith
4. "Modern Collectible Dolls, Volume II" by Patsy Moyer
5. 1957 American Character catalog

Sweet Sue Sophisticate was a registered trademark of American Character.
Toni is a registered tradmark of the Gillette Co.

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This page was last updated February 23, 2003.

Copyright 1999-2003 by Zendelle Bouchard.