Our Generation dolls are probably the most prevalent and popular AG doll alternative around, successfully selling its 18" cloth and vinyl dolls since the late 1990s. According to Battat, Our Generation is about "girls growing up together and creating the narrative of an extraordinary generation. . . . It's about quality dolls at prices aimed to not exclude anyone. It's about a very important generation and its story."

Maison Joseph Battat's family-oriented business extends back to the 1800s, but its Our Generation collection originated in 1998 when Battat introduced a group of 18" dolls under the name Collectors Lane Kids. The five dolls, Elizabeth, Vanessa, Sheri, Rachel, and boy doll Jack, were successful enough that more dolls were soon added, along with several new iterations and face molds, and Our Generation was born. They continue to be one of the biggest contenders for the American Girl alternative market.

COLLECTORS LANE KIDS

COLLECTORS LANE BOY JACK

Our Generation dolls are significantly lower-end than American Girl dolls, but are surprisingly well-made for their price range. The original Collectors Lane Kids had saran-type wigs, which were replaced by rooted hair of the same general quality for the Our Generation version.  The modern OG dolls come in a number of hair styles, usually long with no bangs/ fringe, and either wavy, straight, or ethnic. Color can range from a very dark brown/ black to platinum blonde. Eyes are brown, blue, or green. In terms of diversity, Our Generation offers several African American dolls, one or two Hispanic dolls, and one classic and one new Asian doll.

STANDARD OG DOLLS: KENDRA, ABRIANNA, ALEJANDRA, and MAY LEE

MORE OGS: DELUXE DOLL LAYLA, HAIRGROW DOLL PARKER, AND RETRO DOLL JOY

Battat hair is usually one of the biggest dividing issue between them and higher end dolls like American Girl. It tends to dry, frizz and tangle with time, enough so that older Battat dolls are best serviced by simply getting a haircut. This is especially true of the older Collector's Lane Kids, who fortunately can be rewigged, unlike Our Generation's rooted hair dolls.

COLLECTORS LANE KIDS

SOME OF THE OLDER AND NEWER BATTAT FACE SCULPTS

Our Generation's eyes are surprisingly high quality for being lower end dolls. The newer models have long, soft, realistic eyelashes, and bright, non-flittery open/close eyes. Older Collectors Lane Kids unfortunately suffer from "shiny eye" and don't score as well in the eye aesthetic department. This is due to the transparent, reflective nature of the plastic used for their eyes, which can produce a glassy, unrealistic look under certain lighting conditions.

 
OLDER BATTAT DOLLS SUFFER FROM "SHINY EYE." NEWER OUR GENERATION DOLLS HAVE MORE NATURAL EYES.

Like American Girl dolls, Our Generation dolls stand 18" tall, though they are proportioned somewhat differently, sometimes being thicker-waisted than Mattel AGs or a bit bottom heavy. They have a distinct, inward curve to their arms that when pulled back can give the impression of holding their hands behind their back. They stand and pose reasonably well, though they are not as firmly balanced as American Girl dolls. Their legs are marginally thinner than AG dolls while their hands and feet are only slightly smaller; they easily share clothing and shoes with American Girl. Their vinyl skin has a rosier tinge in comparison to AG.

OUR GENERATION DOLL (unknown name) AND JLY #6

While Our Generation dolls fit standard 18" doll clothing, Battat offers it's own 18" doll clothing at more affordable prices than American Girl brand clothing. Battat also offers a large variety of clever and unique accessories for 18" dolls. Our Generation dolls can be bought new from Target stores for around $25.00, or as low as $5.00 - S10.00 from the secondary market.

For the avid OG collector, mini (6 1/2") versions of some of the dolls have also been available, beginning with the original Collectors Lane Kids dolls from 1998 and extending to the modern OGs today.

COLLECTORS LANE KIDS MINI ELIZABETH | OUR GENERATION MINI AYLA AND MINI KENDRA