What is a pinup
Pin-up is a style that combines exaggerated femininity and exaggerated sexuality. This excess is not accidental. Because the pinup initially did not imagine that someone would walk the streets like that: it’s not appropriate for a respectable lady to dress like that.
Pin-up originated in the 19th century among burlesque performers. This is not the most socially approved activity; you can’t hang a poster of dancers on a pedestal on the main street. But small advertising cards could be pinned behind the scenes of theaters and in other conditionally secret places for their own. Actually, the style got its name from the English pin up, which in this case means “to pin”, “to pin”.
Naturally, images of beautiful and provocatively dressed women gradually migrated from theaters to the rooms, lockers, and car cabins of men. And demand creates supply. So calendars, postcards, and posters began to appear, which were specifically pinned somewhere in a visible or, conversely, hidden place.
Moreover, pin-up pictures have been different throughout their existence, not only those that come to the mind of anyone who is familiar with this phenomenon. But the pin-up we know well looks like this.
Pin-up is a very sexualized style because it is not created for women, but for men. He teases, does not show the product with his face, but already presents it as if with a torn wrapper, which promises a surprise.
In the 20th century, pin-up images were used in advertising by large brands like Coca-Cola. Zippo released lighters with pin-up pictures during World War II. And in general, such images were very popular in the 40s, since a lot of men found themselves isolated from women, and postcards and posters were supposed to raise the morale (and, obviously, not only that) of soldiers.
Thanks to its brightness, entertainment, and sexuality, pinup has not lost popularity to this day. True, for most he still remains more of a stage image for the occasion. It was tried on at different times by Katy Perry and Christina Aguilera. But Dita Von Teese didn’t care about all the conventions and wears a pin-up every day. And what will we do to her, because she is amazing and organic in such outfits.
What distinguishes the pinup style
In this section, we will look at the classic signs of an outfit by which a pin-up can be easily guessed. But don’t forget that this is a postcard style. If you simply copy pictures, you will get a good image for a photo shoot or party. In ordinary life, such outfits often look like a fancy dress. Which is also a good thing if you’re brave enough to wear them every day. However, most people will probably still want to adapt the style to modern times. And we’ll talk about this later.
However, updating your outfit is easier if you know the basics. And that’s what makes pinup different.
Hourglass silhouette
An hourglass is a body type that combines a narrow waist and wide, rounded hips. The top is a little more difficult, because traditionally it is believed that hourglasses have large breasts. And this is fair, but it does not always work if a woman has narrow shoulders and back. That is, you can have a D cup bra and resemble an A-line silhouette. At the same time, a prominent bust in a pin-up is welcome.
This, of course, does not mean that people with other body types should not wear pin-ups. They don’t even have to strive for an hourglass silhouette. But if you want to make the forms visually more outstanding, the style itself offers tools for this:
- High rise. The belts of skirts, trousers, swimming trunks and underwear are located at the waist, in the narrowest part of the figure, and emphasize it.
- Wide, flowing skirts and loose, non-tight, tucked-in tops. This cut makes the hips and bust area appear wider compared to a narrow waist.
- Turn-down collars and shoulder straps, which can also visually add volume to the shoulders.
Bright colors
Pin-up usually means bright, saturated colors: red, yellow, blue, purple, pink. Among the basic ones you can often find white. But black is rare and mainly in details. For example, shoes or stockings can be black. Although you shouldn’t write him off completely either.
At the same time, the images are often not monochrome, they combine several shades.
Don’t be afraid of color 👗
Simple prints or no prints
Items in pin-up looks are often plain, or with contrasting trim, or with simple prints like polka dots, stripes or checks. But you can also use fabrics with other patterns, for example flowers, hearts.
Elements of military and work uniforms
Since the pin-up as we know it flourished during the war years, some elements of military uniforms migrated into women’s clothing. These are, for example, shoulder straps, sailor collars and vests. At the same time, while men fought on the front, women performed jobs that were traditionally considered men’s. And this is reflected in pin-ups in the form of overalls, trousers, jackets, and robes. But all this, of course, is not worn in unisex ways. On the contrary, the work overalls will not be shapeless and voluminous. As a rule, it fits the figure well, the waist is emphasized by a belt, and the top is unbuttoned and a top, more reminiscent of a bra (or, in fact, a bra) peeks out flirtatiously from under the item.
Lots of feminine details
You can also find laconic pin-up outfits. But, as a rule, the following elements migrate from image to image:
- High heel shoes. Shoes with flat soles are extremely rare. Models either in heels or barefoot.
- Hats. The classic is a red scarf, the tails of which are tied above the forehead. But these can be traditional scarves, and various kinds of hats, and uniform headdresses, and flowers in the hair.
- Stockings, often with garters. If it’s not a beach or work look, they usually have them.
- Ruffles, slits, deep neckline – if possible.
- Red manicure and red lipstick are classics.
How to Style Pinup Outfits to Make It Look Current
If you want to get rid of masquerade, use different techniques.
Choose current hair and makeup
This will help make the outfit more modern. If the classic pin-up consists of neat curls, loose or tied up, now they can be replaced with trendy surfer waves or a perfectly smooth hairstyle. Instead of black eyeliner and red lipstick, try so-called no-makeup makeup, pay attention to Asian methods of applying cosmetics, or experiment with colored eyeliner of non-standard shapes.
This approach will make it clear that you are a girl from the 21st century who follows fashion trends and plays with them.
Turn down the sexuality
Pin-up is a highly objectifying style aimed at gaining male approval. It’s as if he’s shouting: “Look how hard I tried to please you.” But now, even when a model appears on the catwalk almost naked, the message in the image will still be different. The center of her universe is she, and not the man who looks at her.
So one way to modernize a pin-up outfit is to remove overly sexualized details. For example, prefer something more closed to a deep neckline, change shoes with dizzying heels to comfortable shoes with flat soles, or wear a looser one instead of a tight dress.
Smooth out contrasts
The pin-up is easily recognized by its color combination. Usually these are very bright looks, for example, blue shorts and a red and white striped top or a purple dress and a yellow belt. The outfit will look more modern if you choose contrasting, but more complex colors, for example, shades of rooibos tea and watercress (these, by the way, are fashionable colors for 2024, which we have already written about). Or you can even stick to a black and white image.
What pin-up looks can you try on?
They are suitable for events when you want to wear a casual look, but with a twist, to make it more vibrant and interesting.
1. With a polka dot shirtdress
A loose midi-length shirtdress is good because it does not in itself hint at a pin-up. Except that the polka dots refer us to this style. And therefore, you can safely add everything that relates to pin-up to the image. For example, you can emphasize your waist with a wide leather belt, or a contrasting one, decorate your head with a bandage, and apply red lipstick on your lips. Sandals with flat soles or stable heels are suitable for footwear.
What to buy
2. With shorts and a vest
An obvious combination for a pin-up, which will look more modern if you choose a sufficiently voluminous vest. In this case, the image will not be overly sexy, since bare legs are compensated by a closed top that does not emphasize the chest. In this case, it is desirable that the belt of the shorts be clearly at the waist, then the proportions will be more harmonious.
On your feet you can wear sandals with stable heels or fabric sneakers.
What to buy
3. With a knitted dress and shirt
You can control the degree of sexiness of the image by choosing how tight the dress will be and what length it will be. A universal option is midi, but it’s better to focus on your taste. A plaid shirt, which should be tied in a knot at the waist, goes well with a plain dress. You can wear sandals or sandals on your feet.
What to buy
Try other styles 👚👡👖
