Pin up was a mainstay of women’s American fashion during the mid-20th century.
However, its origins go much further back and can be traced back to France in the late 1800s. At the time, pin up was a form of dress style intended as a statement of women’s rights during a time of male-dominated society.When it comes to dress styles, the trend was developed by French artist Jules Cheret, whose many paintings included woman clad in Victorian era-inspired garments designed to elicit a voluptuous appearance.
Pin up later saw a revival during WWII, where popular pin up girls like Rita Hayworth and Betty Grable became iconic models whose magazine images were often used as a comfort and distraction for service members fighting abroad.
How to Dress in Pin Up
Pin up clothing is often relegated to Halloween costumes or lingerie. However, it also makes for a great form of alternative fashion, much in the same way as Goth or Lolita. Going full pin up entails more than just apparel. There is also a specific hairstyle, attitude, swag, and personality that go with it.
Focusing specifically on the clothing, the following are some prime examples of pin up apparel and gear:
Capri Pants
Photo source: Facebook
Today, capri pants are a trendy item in their own right. However, they are also a popular bottoms wear for pin up fashion. Aim for tight-fitting, high-waist pants. Capris are especially a good choice if you have natural curves, which was considered sexy and attractive as opposed to the pencil-thin super models of today.
Sweetheart Necklines
Photo: Oscar de la Renta – pink taffeta and a black bodice with a sweetheart neckline; source: Pinterest
These come in the form of top wear or even dresses where the curved neckline area features curves over the bustline, which dips and meets at the center to form a heart-shaped neckline. Clothing tops with a sweetheart neckline are a staple part of pin up fashion and brings about that voluptuous appearance that was mentioned.
Wiggle Dress
Photo: Laura Byrnes Photography; source
These are also known as a bombshell dress and are basically dresses where the hem’s width is narrower than the length of the hips. The narrowness keeps the knees close together, thus creating what is described as a wiggle when the wearer walks, hence the name wiggle dress.
Pencil Skirt
Photo: Wheels & Dollbaby
The pencil skirt along with the capri are two staple bottom wears for pin up fashion. The name is derived from the garment’s straight, narrow cut. Like the wiggle dress, the pencil skirt also forces the knees close together.
Corsets
Photo: Nirvana Photography Studio
Of course, corsets are normally worn under the garment to keep the tummy tucked in. However, they serve as a popular outerwear when it comes to dressing for pin up. For more sexual appeal, they can be worn as is. If going for a more modest appearance, wear a shirt underneath to expose less skin. Some corsets also come with an infused skirt, thus making the item a corset/dress combo.
Pin Up Accessories
There are a few other additions you can add to your wardrobe to really bring about the pin up and burlesque appearance of the mid-20th century. Consider the following:
Hair Scarves
Think of the famous wartime propaganda poster of a woman flexing her arms with the slogan “We can do it.” In the image, the woman is wearing a hair scarf tied from the top. Many pin up girls have adopted this appearance as part of their pin up getup.
Hair Flowers
Photo: Lori Anne Photography
Just as there are hair scarves, there are also hair flowers. There are even hair feathers, which is just as trendy if worn with the right outfit.
Satin Gloves
These are the extra-long gloves that encompass the entire forearm, elbow and part of the upper arm.
Handbags
This includes strapless miniature handbags that you carry by hand; not very practical but excellent as a fashion statement.
Garrison Cap
This foldable headgear is worn by service members while donning their class A uniform. Since pin up is often synonymous with the military due to its popularity during WWII, a garrison cap makes for a great accessory.
Long Pearl Necklace
A pearl necklace that reaches all the way to your naval is a classic accessory. This is treading a bit more on burlesque fashion than pin up, but the two styles are often intertwined, so it can easily be a part of the fashion for the latter.
Footwear
Most shoes that go well with pin up are still available today. This includes pumps, flats, and booties. Polka dots and leopard patterns on the shoes are a good choice of design if you can find them.
Create Your Own Pin Up Style
Pin up fashion reached its peak during the 1940s and 50s and represented a time when patriotism was at an all-time high. The style has also undergone a revival as an alternative style and a lot of clothing today contains some hint of pin up influence.
If this is the look you’re shooting for, then feel free to go full pin up or mix it with contemporary clothing to create your own modern-pinup hybrid fashion.
Photo source: stylishtrendy.com
Ashley Williamson is a freelance blogger and journalist. She likes blogging about alternative fashion trends, and soak up inspiration for her writing through her travels in South East Asia.
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