Pin-up style in clothes

At the end of the last century, a bright poster depicting a half-dressed young lady was a frequent “guest” in a bachelor’s apartment or garage. But abouta sincere “hinting” beauty with catchy makeup, an unusual hairstyle, in clothes that barely cover a woman’s body, is an art that has always occupied a separate niche in the fashion industry.

Basic concept of pinup style

An appetizing beauty in seductive clothes in a photo or in the form of a drawing - this is him. "Pin up" means to pin a poster on the wall.. At first, such a play on words was purely motivational in nature - soldiers were given such images, so to speak, for moral support. Later, photographers and magazines turned to the genre, guessing in “poster” art the future era of half-nudity and covered debauchery.

"Pin-up" means coloring a photograph or a drawing made from a photo in bright colors. Moreover, the image is of a half-naked girl in a piquant, but relatively decent pose.

Pin up suggests lack of vulgarity, a bright image only hints at this. Seductiveness and even some outright chastity are surprisingly combined in a sexual “still life”.

Characteristic recognizable features

Today it is almost impossible to see a girl dressed in the traditions of this style on the street. But genre-related features can still be present in evening dresses, looks for photo shoots or on the red carpet. You can recognize a pinup by the following signs:

1. Bright colors. Catchy scarlet, blue, blue, black, white are the main old-timers of the genre. One color scheme is rarely used in an image; to enhance the effect there can be two, three or even four, not counting accessories.
2. Contrasts. If the ensemble consists of plain materials, then color blocking is necessarily present. This could be, for example, a blouse, a short skirt and a belt of different rich colors. Or a dress, shoes, hat. A dress with a wide bright belt and a bandage in the same color looks great, and shoes can be chosen in a different tone.
3. Small contrasting prints. Tiny and medium polka dots, classic checks, flowers, and stripes fit perfectly. Any pattern should be contrasting and stand out strongly.
4. Non-standard combinations. The combinations of shades here can hardly be called classic. In a pinup, you can successfully combine bright red and blue or green. And not only in the color blocking technique, but also in the “background + print” ensemble. In addition, you can add a third and fourth bright color to this.
5. Tight-fitting but not vulgar clothes. All seductive places are covered, but sometimes it seems that the skirt is about to rise up from the wind, or the neckline a little more, and show indecent depth. Open bodice, large necklines, corsets, and cropped blouses are welcome.
6. Retro bias. Although the pin-up style is often used in photo shoots and on screen, its vintage character cannot be ignored. The details that became iconic in the 60s of the last century remained in this genre. This can be seen in such elements of images as flared dresses, high waists, pencil skirts, twisted skirts, high hairstyles, headbands with bows, Mary Jane shoes, and other representatives of retro style.
7. Focus on hair and makeup. Boldly styled hair, thick winged wings and berry-red lipstick are a must.
8. Characteristic finish. This may include, for example, contrasting buttons in two rows, a wide belt, bows, a glossy silk stole or scarf, a bright (not straw) hat, a cap, a stewardess bowler hat, fabric gloves, flowers in the hair.

To pinup there are no maxi skirts, and long sleeves are necessarily “compensated” by an open neckline or an open tummy. The maximum that can be allowed here is a French midi.

A few words about the history of appearance

The development of the sexual revolution is directly related to such explicit images. The first “motivating” young lady on a poster appeared at the end of the 19th century, and during World War II, a similar visual effect on soldiers became widespread.

And already in the 60s it turned into a fashionable entertainment industry. In the 80s and 90s, pinup received the status of a full-fledged style. Today, the genre is used exclusively in stylized settings or intimate settings.

Pin-up clothing

Retro luxury and seductiveness are present in almost every element of the colorful wardrobe. The following details can be called basic here.

Dresses

Perhaps the main thing in pin-up. This is for example:

1. Flared retro dress. A thin waist, a semi-open bodice, and a wide skirt fit perfectly into the style concept. The top can be designed in different ways. For example, this is an English collar with a deep neckline, a corset with wide straps, a turn-down collar combined with a large neckline. This top perfectly emphasizes a thin waist.
2. Skinny with pencil skirt. A sundress dress with buttons in the front and a turn-down peplum along the bodice looks great. This model looks great in combination with a wide contrasting belt, a bright bandage in the hair, and high heels.

Blouses and shirts

A good addition to the image - contrast check shirt. Such a thing looks especially seductive when tied in a knot on the stomach in combination with high-waisted shorts. The blouse goes well with a flared or pencil skirt.

Longsleeves

Deep round neckline and contrasting cross stripe - a recognizable element of pin-up style, especially if such a blouse is combined with a pencil or flared skirt. Such clothes must be equipped with something bright and seductive.

Skirts

Two popular models are “pencil and flares. Moreover, the first one is usually midi length, while the second one can be short and just below the knees. The “pencil” is often complemented by two rows of contrasting buttons along the front, and the flared skirt is complemented by a fluffy petticoat and pockets with lapels. Both models have a high waistline.

Shorts

Welcome short denim or cotton options. They look great in “home” photo shoots, when you need to portray a seductive housekeeper. These shorts are best paired with a plaid shirt tied in a knot at the stomach.

Swimwear

Retro models are a priority. Fits perfectly into the pinup style:

• one-piece with a deep neckline and wide straps;
• separates with high shorts:
• tankinis covering the hips;
• like corsets.

In any case the hips are closed, the panties have a high waist. Color solutions and finishing within the style. Polka dots, checks, stripes, rows of buttons, and color blocking fit perfectly.

Lingerie

In a lingerie pinup look “you can hear” hints, but there is no vulgarity. Panties with a high waistline, bras and corset type busts, without lace or transparent details. This also includes boudoir items - stockings with a belt, shoes trimmed with fur or feathers, silk short robes.

Jeans

Classic dark blue skinnies or tubes fits well into the genre. No moms, boyfriends and other modern models. If desired, you can carefully roll up the wide cuff on your trousers and make capri pants. The same high waistline is welcome here. Denim overalls also look good in style.

You can combine jeans with any blouse, corset or long sleeve. Printed clothes are a priority, but sometimes color blocking comes into play.

Accessories and shoes

Without small details, any image will remain unfinished. To achieve a seductive retro effect, you should definitely add to the set one or more interesting elements. It can be:

1. Bright shoes. The Mary Jane model, a small platform with a stiletto heel, an open toe, and classic pumps with butterflies at the back will fit perfectly into any look.
2. Headband with bow. Red or blue goes well with a high pompadour hairstyle, bobs, and soft curls.
3. Artificial flower in hair, red is best, but not necessary.
4. Cap and sailor suit. Marine-style models, blue-red, bright, look good.
5. Various retro hats - Damn, the felt ones are small. Contrasting hats are encouraged.
6. Flirty vintage bags. There is no place for classics and sports, only feminine playful models in bright colors.
7. Wide belts Not only leather ones fit perfectly, but also fabric ones and rubber ones with large buckles and various finishing elements.
8. Silk scarves as headdresses. Accessories with geometric large prints, polka dots, and plain ones are suitable. They are tied under the chin or at the back of the head.
9. Plastic glasses.
10. Earrings large size, maybe costume jewelry. Volumes, matte surfaces, and bright details are welcome. Expensive stones are used infrequently; satin faceted stones, clips, and huge jewelry are more suitable.

It is noteworthy that in pinup rarely used necklaces, necklaces, chains, bracelets, chandelier earrings. Mostly large studs or clips.

Hairstyle, makeup, manicure

Mandatory style attributes, with the help of which the image has a finished look.

Fits well into the design forehead roll, double curls, retro curls, high bangs with a backcomb, Marseille wave, pompadour with a bandage on top. That’s what they call them – pin-up hairstyles. The legendary Bettie Page “introduced” them into the image of a liberated magazine girl.

Makeup should be bright. Its required elements are thick black eyeliner with narrow tips and rich glossy lipstick. Berry colors are recommended for dark-haired ladies, pink-red for blondes.Eyebrows should have a graphic, well-groomed appearance; a little blush won’t hurt either.

Classic retro – red varnish – the most universal solution. Representatives of the pin-up style in show business - Dita Von Teese, Renata Litvinova, Marilyn Monroe - used this color most often in their images. You can consider other options in the traditions of the genre.

Style in modern realities

Pin-up of the 21st century is images for photo shoots, red carpet, magazines and online publications. Many stars were able to try on the bright style. Christina Aguilera even created an entire video in this genre with the song “Candy Man,” and Dita Von Teese, the queen of burlesque, chooses Pin Up for almost all of her appearances.

This style is not used in modern life. It requires not only preparation, but also compliance. It’s difficult to endure a whole day in the office with cooks, but riding in the subway with a pompadour hairstyle and high heels is also a pleasure.

However, today Instagram photo shoots are so popular that there is no need to talk about the demand for stylized enterprises. And this means that The pinup will live on in women's photographs for a long time.