Toys of the Eighties, Caboodles
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Description
Caboodles were basically huge make-up cases for girls. It opened up like a fishing tackle box. There were two levels that unfolded upon opening. Lots of compartments and a mirror. These were an important part of playing dress-up at sleepovers.
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User Stories and Comments

The following are comments left about Caboodles from site visitors such as yourself. They are not spell checked or reviewed for accuracy.

Katie - May 05, 2007 - Report this comment
My sister used to have a Caboodle, she absolutely loved that thing, and I of course (being the little sister) wanted it very much! I'm sure that Caboodle is in storage somewhere. Now my sister has two smaller Caboodles that she keeps her toddler daughter's hairbows in. :)
Jenna - May 05, 2007 - Report this comment
I had 2 caboodles. One was pink and purple and one was black and white. I think my dad uses them now to hold some of his painting supplies. I took them both with me for sleepovers. Seriously..what were we thinking? 2 makeup boxes and we were too young to wear makeup.
Lmander - May 08, 2007 - Report this comment
I loved these, I thought I was coolk and really they just kept junk! My aunts gave me one as a present
99 - July 12, 2007 - Report this comment
theres cabbodles make up today i wonder if its by the same company
Kathy - August 01, 2007 - Report this comment
I have 2 Caboodles that I still use to this day (I'm 29). I keep jewelry in one and hair supplies in the other. I can't believe they stopped making these things. They are the best storage devices.
kida - September 17, 2007 - Report this comment
i just bought on from target in the make up bag section. they also had them at wal mart still love them but i wouldnt carry one around ne more lol.
Sarah - September 22, 2007 - Report this comment
I just found one a few weeks ago at the thrift store. I find em all over but something is always broken on them. The one I found though is mint. I was trying to explain what in the world it was to my daughter - she freaked at the idea of these. She bought it though and is using it!
michelle - September 26, 2007 - Report this comment
they still sell caboodles. i have one. i got it from target. its pink and its the same one in the picture at the top of the page
Elissa - October 14, 2007 - Report this comment
Tackle box is right. lol. I believe my old pink caboodle is currently being used by my dad to store nuts, bolts and other odds and ends in his garage!!! Judging by what I've read here--I should demand it back!
dawn - November 03, 2007 - Report this comment
I had a black and white caboodle, actually I still have it, I keep my art supplies in it. And I have the pink one that I found while looking for boxes. I know gross. lol. I use that one for hair things.
Joie - November 06, 2007 - Report this comment
Yay caboodles! I used to have a pink and green one. I wish I would've kept it.
joan - November 07, 2007 - Report this comment
I still have a purple and green caboodle and I'm 24 but it originally belonged to my sister who is almost 31. I keep my jewelry in it and it is very useful.
Amanda - November 19, 2007 - Report this comment
I still have my old one. It's pink and blue. :)
Carrie - December 09, 2007 - Report this comment
I remember the status that came with the caboodles at my school and wanting one so very very badly! I got a knock off "sassy" one, then finally the real thing!!
timelessaire - December 20, 2007 - Report this comment
I had a huge purple one with a teal green accents. I remember filling it with Wet n Wild makeup and other play jewelry. The snap closure in it has broken off, but I still have it around.
Melanie - January 02, 2008 - Report this comment
I bought my pink caboodle back in 1990 when I moved into a place with just a shower & sink, no cabinets. So I needed something to keep all my makeup compact, neat & easy to grab, it has gone with me all these years to every placed I have lived at. I never took my makeup out of it. The inside folding hinges are now broke & trying to fine something that compares to it - I have found nothing like it, I just LOVE mine - can't believe it has lasted me this long w/ all my assorted makeups in it.
Hannah - January 03, 2008 - Report this comment
One night, sometime in September, I was 8 years old and my brother was 12 and it was boy and girl night. My dad and brother went to a baseball game and my mom and I went out to eat and then to Toys R Us so I could buy a cupcake doll and a caboodle. Don't have either one anymore. I just had too many toys over the years.
Kogal - January 11, 2008 - Report this comment
My cousin always had caboodles as a kid, and when she was like 14 and even older like I swear she was in high school and wore actual makeup she kept her makeup in them, cuz they were perfect for what she needed them for and I was so envious, they actually make good jewlery cases, I still have 2 of them, my big ones and I use them to keep jewlery I don't wear in them cuz what I wear is cluttered all over here (I had 2 small ones a star and a heart)
Brooke - January 12, 2008 - Report this comment
I had a blue green marbled caboodle and i wish i still had it!
Jayme - January 27, 2008 - Report this comment
I still have a purple caboodle at my parents house with pink clasps, it was all sparkly and gurly...
robsgurl - February 14, 2008 - Report this comment
I had the teal one with pink handle I still have it...I even got the name plate for it...lol
Aristonia - February 16, 2008 - Report this comment
I still own a caboodle. It is silver and I use it as a portable witch's cabinet. I love it. I'm looking for a larger one with wheels.
Lisa - February 19, 2008 - Report this comment
I had a couple and I can't believe I ever got rid of them! I remember there being LOTS of styles and some were REALLY huge! I am looking for some of those and can't find them anywhere. The new ones are okay, but all the really larger ones are the train case style and I liked the older caboodles versions.
Rachel - March 22, 2008 - Report this comment
You had to have a caboodle if you were a 80's child ( with all that makeup and hairspray..lol)..I think I had 3 of them mine were pink and purple.
Maura - June 04, 2008 - Report this comment
I had 2 or 3 of them!! I remember taking them to summer camp...loaded with all my shampoos, conditioners, etc.
Anna - June 10, 2008 - Report this comment
Not sure what my deal was with these things. I would always gravitate towards these at the store. I dont think I needed em but I wanted em. I think I have one or 2.
Ann - June 22, 2008 - Report this comment
I have a pink one that I got as a kid. Currently, it is storing my bro.'s basketball cards I believe. Sassaby was the other brand that made these cases and I believe that they were endorsed by the cast of 90210.
Sammie - July 07, 2008 - Report this comment
OH MY GOD! I completley forgot about these! I had a teal and pink one that had all my best wordly goods in it LOL... I was 9..so hair ties and neclaces!
tamara - August 01, 2008 - Report this comment
i loved those cases i had the dark purple flat square one with the pink handle and a light purple one that looked like a little suite case i no longer have them i was 15 when i had them i kept nail polish and lipstick and facial masks in them boy iam ever sorry that i got rid of them i need them now i going to find and buy some unused and in brand new condition
malindigo - September 11, 2008 - Report this comment
I had a caboodles that opened into a mall and the two dolls it came with it have very large heads compared to their bodies. It was like pre-polly pocket-like playsets in neon colors and there were a ton of accessories.
Kate - September 29, 2008 - Report this comment
Man, this takes me back... Growing up in the late 80's early 90's, these things came on the scene, and all the popular girls had them! I finally got a pink and black swing tray w/0 mirror for Christmas. I gave it to my Mom for her homespun business, but I don't know what she did with it... I have owned several since then, and have just bought a new hot pink two tray with the lipstick caddy. I also have located and bought one of the marbled green large cases that I used to drool over way back when...
Clint - October 10, 2008 - Report this comment
I still have my sister's Caboodles, I've used it as an art box to store my pencils, pens, brushes, etc for years now.
Bonnie - October 16, 2008 - Report this comment
I had a purple caboodle with lime green swing trays and a mirror. I think I gave it to Goodwill, because I just put junk in it, and I am trying to get rid of junk collectors. I also had a Sassaby case. I liked it when I was a kid, but I prefer something with more separation, like small drawer sets, for my makeup. But I really loved that color combo! (Of course now I just think it's tacky LOL)
Joyce - October 20, 2008 - Report this comment
Yay caboodles! I wish I still had mine. :o(
Kitty - October 23, 2008 - Report this comment
LOL OMG!!! I still have and use mine!! They must be 20 yrs old. Still cool as hell!!
Melanie - November 04, 2008 - Report this comment
OMG! I had one of these. It was one of the only 'in' things I ever had! I wonder what ever happened to it??
Heather - November 27, 2008 - Report this comment
This is awesome! Hello, other Caboodle lovers. I just found my Caboodle. It was a special partnership with Exclamation perfume (remember?!?), so it's black and white with polka dots and pink accents. Ironically, I now use mineral makeup, and while those doesn't hold my ENTIRE collection, it's better than most anything I've found. So yeah, I'm gonna be toting this thing to Ohio when I go for Christmas. It has to be at least 15 years old - maybe more.
Deborah - December 19, 2008 - Report this comment
My sister has a vintage peach and aqua one that she still uses, and every time I see it at her house, I think, "I want one of those!" I have several small make-up bags that I would like to condense, and now I realize how great they were for compact storage. I wasn't into make-up when they were popular, and I never got one of my own. If anyone has one in good condition they want to sell, please let me know! E-mail me at: deblmurphy@hotmail.com
Shannon - January 09, 2009 - Report this comment
Ah yes, I remember begging my mom for one of these as a kid. I ended up with a small/medium one at first and then later she got me a big one. I recall how "cool" you were at sleepovers with one. :)
Lakelli - January 11, 2009 - Report this comment
I always wanted a caboodles case but never got one because my mom didn't want me to wear makeup.If anyone has a caboodle to sell e-mail me at starjeep@aol.com. I see them on ebay all the time but i don't have time to register and bid and re-bid.
Maura - January 19, 2009 - Report this comment
I had like 3 of these! I remember taking one of them to summer camp with me...you HAD to have one of these to be "cool." I would bring mine with me almost everywhere. And yes, I also remember the partnership with Exclamation perfume hahaha!
Denise - February 15, 2009 - Report this comment
Omg! I had one too!!!! Green and purple!!! Omg! And the exclamation perfume was my fav back in tha day!!!!! lol
Rosebee - February 19, 2009 - Report this comment
I had 2 of them...a medium sized one that was pink/teal...and a large one that was pink. I threw them out a few years ago, I tried to clean them up but they had set in glittery make-up stains all on the inside that would not come out.
nina h. - March 10, 2009 - Report this comment
mine was sparkly and purple!!! i loved my caboodle!
Lucy - March 21, 2009 - Report this comment
my aunt gave me one i used to put art supplies in it when i was like in elementary but now im 14 and use it for cosmetics they still make them u can buy some at caboodles .com
Brittanya - April 01, 2009 - Report this comment
I still have my caboodle.....Pink and purple with a black clasp.
Krys - April 02, 2009 - Report this comment
I sold my childhood Caboodles on ebay several years ago... now I regret it because I've been looking everywhere for something convenient to store my makeup in and one of these would be perfect!
Andrea - April 10, 2009 - Report this comment
I still have my original Caboodle (I am 32)...my sister just laughed at me last weekend and said "I can't belive you still use that thing". I love it and use it everyday for my makeup. I just bought a Caboodle train case as well but I think I already have to upsize.
Kaitlyn - May 03, 2009 - Report this comment
I loved these! Mine got all sold at sales though. =/
Krissa - June 12, 2009 - Report this comment
I LOVE my Caboodles, have purchased many though out the years and kept them all! I especially love the styles of the late 80's early 90's. I'm 28 and still think they rock:)!!!! I really enjoyed reading everyone's comments!!
Sheena - June 17, 2009 - Report this comment
Me and my sister had them, mine was really lame. I never used it for anything. One time I didn't want to eat my orange so I hid it in my empty caboodle and then forgot about it until weeks later when my sister noticed a bad smell in the bathroom and my mom found the moldy orange in my caboodle haha
Lisa Luxuria - June 26, 2009 - Report this comment
I STILL store my granmother's bakalite beeds, gem rings, my mother faraway treasures and my own take on classy but glitzy rings in my ol' Caboodles! I spend a ton of time these days hunting another in thrift shoppes for one to handle my less pricy jewels and another for my smaller than my oils supply of acylics tubes
Norma from LA - August 13, 2009 - Report this comment
OOOOOO. I still have mine. Used it to store several items over the years. Now i use it to store FUN toys ;)
Gail - August 17, 2009 - Report this comment
My special needs sister has a caboodle just like the pink shown above and she loves. The lock is broke so I have to find her another one. I will be looking at target for it.
Gail - August 17, 2009 - Report this comment
My special needs sister has a caboodle just like the pink one shown above. She loves it. The lock on it is broken so I need to find her another one. I will look at target for one.
Raq - September 04, 2009 - Report this comment
I love caboodles, especially the vintage ones from the 80's. I never got rid of mine, and since I have a slew of makeup, I am glad that I never gave them away. I have one Sassaby from back in the day, and I found 2 caboodles recently at a thrift store, so now I have 5 - a black and gray one with a pink clasp, a blue and teal one with a pink clasp, a purple and teal one with a pink clasp and a powder blue one with silver sparkles. I will NEVER get rid of these, and I hope that I find some more. I don't like the new Caboodles so much, they should go back to making the vintage styles!!!
Sabrina - October 18, 2009 - Report this comment
My sister and I each had one of these things but they were the knock-off from Sassaby. "Sassaby Case", they were called. My mom still has my sister's. I think the Sassaby cases were better made and more sturdy, though, because the latches were like metal and the plastic was very thick, unlike the Caboodles which I remember were kind of flimsy... Maybe Caboodles were knock-offs of Sassaby Cases?
Kate - December 06, 2009 - Report this comment
Oh wow, I remember these. I was born in 1990, but the one I had was the same as the one pictured here. Does anybody remember the lip gloss they used to sell that was in the shape of each of the letters? I used to go to KB Toys and buy them when I was little. I was looking for a picture online just to bring me back, but I can't find one anywhere, or even a mention of them.
Jamie - December 21, 2009 - Report this comment
I remember the lip gloss they used to sell in the shape of the letters. Does any one remember the tiny caboodle playsets?
Jordan - January 08, 2010 - Report this comment
I love my caboodles box. Im only fourteen but i have been dancing for 12 years and we use our boxes to put our stage makeup into! i just got a big black studio one for christmas!
Cionn - January 25, 2010 - Report this comment
I had a Pink and green one. I hate PINK. GROSS.... I got makeup all in mine and couldn't get it out. I don't know what happen to my Caboodle.
Swt Azn Qt - February 01, 2010 - Report this comment
I was born in 1988 but I've never seen a Caboodles make-up case sold in Canada before...just the lip glosses and so I bought them since they look as good as they taste and I still have them somewhat used as well!!!
HH - February 10, 2010 - Report this comment
Caboodles are back. www,caoodles.com and the are on Facebook also at http://www.facebook.com/Caboodles
Jan Griffiths - February 14, 2010 - Report this comment
Still have my teal and blue Caboodles with the hot pink handle. It is the big one. It holds lots of memories as well as makeup. My ex bought it for me after I had a meltdown in the store because he said I couldn't have it. But I prevailed. Good times, good times.
Katie - March 04, 2010 - Report this comment
Okay, my 2 best friends and i ALL have caboodles! We all journal together, like writing in a diary but more like a scapbook. And we keep markers,pens, crayons, stickers, scissors, tapes, ribbons, and such in our CABOODLES! but, my best friend wants a new one and i am having an extremely hard time finding one! And i wont buy from ebay, long story!
Audrey - March 24, 2010 - Report this comment
My mom had a couple in the late 80's, me and my sisters being too young to really use one, but we LOVED hers. She kept our hair stuff in them. I found one a few years ago in a goodwill and called mom immidiately to rave about how totally 80's it is! I keep all my nail stuff in the thing, and an now in search of a good used one for my little girls hair bows and headbands! They still make them, but they're just not the same!!!
Kristina - July 24, 2010 - Report this comment
I had a purple caboodle when I was young. I think it broke somewhere along the way. Now I am an adult and I have a way better pink vintage one. I put pinup girl decals on it to make it look more like an adults case. I think it's very retro and it works great so I'm in love.
Jan Griffiths - July 28, 2010 - Report this comment
I found another one just like the one I have at Goodwill a couple of weeks ago. I bought it, and it was half-price Saturday. I got it for 2 dollars. Let the good times roll!!
Amanda - August 10, 2010 - Report this comment
I still have mine, and so does my 38-year old sister!
Sarah - November 10, 2010 - Report this comment
I still have my CABOODLE somewhere too! I loved that thing! Even had my dad send away for the gold plate with my full name engraved that fit into a slot on the top! Mine was pastel purple and pink with a pastel peach handle!
Valerie Salam - December 21, 2010 - Report this comment
My neighbor and I were just talking about them a couple nights ago!! I'm 45 and I still have the two I got when I was 12. One is pink and the other is purple with a mirror. I love them. Does anyone know where I can buy a new one?
heidi - January 17, 2011 - Report this comment
i went to goodwill today, and found the old caboodle that are pink and green for under two dollars! they do still sell newer ones that are almost exactly like it at wal mart for just under twenty dollars, they are offered in pink and purple
T - February 02, 2011 - Report this comment
my mom got me a purple one in the 90s.
Charity - May 28, 2011 - Report this comment
I have a renewed obsession with Caboodles right now. They are so much fun and great for storing make up. I like the old ones that come in great color combos. The new ones just don't do it for me, but they're still cute.
Jan Griffiths - June 15, 2011 - Report this comment
The new ones aren't as good as the ones from the 80s, in my opinion. They aren't the same, and don't come in as many cool colors as the old ones did.
Rosebee - June 17, 2011 - Report this comment
I just remembered they also made lipstick cases in colours to match...they were clunky, squared off around the edges, and slid open to reveal a mirror. Mine was peachy/pink w/ minty/teal.
Jan Griffiths - July 01, 2011 - Report this comment
I found a big black and white one at yet another Goodwill, and bought it. I have a mini horse, and I keep his grooming supplies in it.
Joda26 - August 05, 2011 - Report this comment
I have mine! EBAY has tons of them for around $10. Make sure you get the 80's one because TARGET sells modern ones now! To see my ORIGINAL CABOODLE and other amazing 80's toys and fads : http://www.flickr.com/photos/joda26/5385716242/in/set-72157623289252710
Jan Griffiths - July 28, 2012 - Report this comment
I found another Caboodle a few weeks ago at a yard sale for 50 cents. It is a kid's Caboodle, purple and pink with a blue handle, dated 1986. It holds a lot of nail polish bottles. So now I have 4, and my little horse has 2.
Kellie - October 07, 2012 - Report this comment
I had like 2 or 3 caboodles over a couple of years, but then went i needed a new one I couldnt find one so i bought a Sassaby, which i still have a use!
darlene greckol- lutyck - February 13, 2015 - Report this comment
I need to find the ex-large nail care organizer,I'am a38yr. professional and have used various cases this one I have used since late 80's every week for mobile services ,the heavy wire clasp finally gave out I tried to find a sorce to replace this an or get another one!!! I own 7 I use regulary for photo shoots ,weddings music videos . what Ilove the most is the durabilty,and the plastic is easly steralized in and out I like things clean ,the new styles professional or every day consumer is felt or fabric that you can't clean .Please if anyone in the world has one or know to get the wire clasp it is very lg. other case clasps don't fit! please get in touch! thanks cabboodle lovers Darlene
Jan Griffiths - September 03, 2019 - Report this comment
I now have a total of 11 vintage Caboodles. 4 of them are for horse grooming supplies, since I got another mini horse (a mare for my boy), and needed more grooming supplies. I found 7 large size Caboodles at a thrift store in town called Stepping Stones. I have 4 of my favorite color combos--the blue and teal. I have green and purple,and a marbled green and blue one. I was so happy to find all of these in the same shop, and I spent less than 30 dollars on the whole lot. All are in great condition.

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