Their 18" playdoll types expand across a number of different collections, including Favorite Friends, My Life, Dollie and Me, Girlz, Play Wonder, What a Doll, the Isaac Mizrahi Collection, or the do-it-yourself Doll Factory where you purchase the doll and hair separately for a semi-customized appearance. 


There are also special MA character collections, such as Disney princesses and the Wizard of Oz.

 

Madame Alexander dolls differ from American Girls and other soft-bodied articulated dolls in that the upper part of the their torso is vinyl, while the lower part is cloth. This gives them a distinct advantage over American Girls in that they can wear sleeveless and summer clothes without the cloth torso showing through.

Madame Alexander's dolls' heads pivot on their necks and can tilt for more natural and appealing poses, and many doll enthusiasts prefer the more graceful proportions of Madame Alexander playdolls over American Girl's.

 
On the other hand, their much lower retail cost shows itself in the quality of the dolls' hair made of a synthetic mohair type, as opposed to the high quality kanekalon wigs used by American Girl. The hair's extremely fine texture feels soft and workable when new, but has a tendency to mat up, tangle, and frizz over time.

 

 

MA dolls stand about 18.5" (47cm) tall, just a smidgen taller than American Girls, and their heads are slightly rounder. On the other hand, their vinyl shoulders create slightly less bulk than their cloth-and-vinyl friends American Girls, so they are narrower below the neck.

Their waists and hips are comparable to AG dolls', though their arms and legs are marginally slimmer. Their hands and feet are comparable.  They can easily share clothing with American Girl dolls.
 

Alexander dolls have fine, rooted hair with good coverage, though again the quality does not match that of American Girls. They come with a variety of eye colors, hair colors, and hairstyles, the latter usually being long and straight, though other styles are available, including bangs or fringe, curls, and ethnic styles.

 

Several Madame Alexander fashions are available from Madame Alexander site, though the list is not long and the cost isn't cheap. Still, the fashions are trendy, appealing, and include shoes and accessories.

 

Madame Alexander dolls can be found on either the primary or secondary market for anywhere from $15 to $79, averaging about $40 - $45 for a new doll.