There is truly no right or wrong look for anyone, let’s just get that out there first. If you like it, wear it. Plain and simple. That being said, clothing styles are tailored to certain body shapes so there are some that are naturally a better fit than others. We have taken a look at the various cuts and styles of the vintage eras and come up with a fool-proof way to reach your perfect pin-up persona.
Polished curls, sleek, smooth waves, delicate pin curls and mind-blowing Victory rolls look extremely sexy and often glamorous. Want to upgrade the chosen retro hairstyle? Think of an intriguing hair color solution to add to your look. Throw in some pink and black highlights into blonde hair or try the pastel hair trend. Here are some cutest hairstyles to check.
Vixen by Micheline Pitt: Micheline Pitt’s pinup empire includes Vixen, La Femme Noir, and Bad Girl Denim. The latter is a line of retro-cut jeans and shorts popular among bloggers. La Femme Noir leans goth, with a lot of lace, coffin accessories, and body-hugging, well, everything. But Vixen is the real star here, particularly for its size-inclusive tops and pencil skirts (which come in up to a 4X!). Don’t sleep on the kinky/cute lapel pins and hoop earrings, either.
Retrolicious is a vintage inspired brand of fun and funky dresses for the modern enthusiast. You can find our love for color and fit on all of our retro designs including: vintage inspired swing dresses, sexy little black dresses, 60's inspired mod tops, twirl-worthy skirts, fun jumpsuits, kids' dresses, 1950's style boleros, and even accessories like reusable tote bags. We like to compliment our bright and colorful pieces with vintage inspired staples like our Boat Neck tops, Isabel tops, and Charlotte skirts. Whether you're looking for retro style workwear, geeky inspired clothing like our Science and Space collections, or a classic pinup outfit; Retrolicious has it all!
The term pin-up may refer to drawings, paintings, and other illustrations as well as photographs (see the list of pin-up artists). The term was first attested to in English in 1941;[2] however, the practice is documented back at least to the 1890s. Pin-up images could be cut out of magazines or newspapers, or on a postcard or lithograph. Such pictures often appear on walls, desks, or calendars. Posters of pin-ups were mass-produced, and became popular from the mid-20th century.
Next, brush hair smooth in the back area. Backcomb the interior for extra volume and keep the surface smooth. Create soft curls with a medium barrel iron. Curl hair from the mid-length through to ends in a horizontal fashion. Set curls using pin curl clips until all hair is curled. Allow hair to cool, then release curls and allow to fall softly. Backcomb gently for a soft, voluminous finish.
Another very popular style was the shirtwaist dress. Originally, introduced by Christian Dior in 1947, this style of dress was particularly popular with teenagers. It is set apart by its sloped shoulders which were a drastic change from the boxy shoulders just a few years before. This dress also has a raised bust line. The real change, however, came with a very narrow waist starting with a padded hipline and flowing away to a skirt with lots of fabric that was often pleated ending just below mid-calf. Wear this casual dress on your next shopping trip by getting this one from EricDress (@ericdress.com).
Polished curls, sleek, smooth waves, delicate pin curls and mind-blowing Victory rolls look extremely sexy and often glamorous. Want to upgrade the chosen retro hairstyle? Think of an intriguing hair color solution to add to your look. Throw in some pink and black highlights into blonde hair or try the pastel hair trend. Here are some cutest hairstyles to check.
The Poodle Do is the style in this photo. It was recreated by stylist Magic Michael Davids and made famous in the 1940s and 1950s on celebrities such as Lucille Ball and Betty Grable. Those were the decades of ultimate feminine style where ladies would go to the hair salon and get their hair set in curls and dressed out using skilled techniques that have nearly been lost today. The invention of the straightening iron may have contributed to this.
It was only sliiiightly large at the top. In some photos I think you can tell, but my date said not really. I’m normally a size 12 and a 38D or DD depending on the cut. I got an XL when a L would have been good, but it wasn’t noticeable. I thought it would be one of those impossibly small Asian made dresses. This dress was great! Inexpensive, but it doesn’t look cheap. I wore it for a cocktail/dinner party, and no one would have thought my look cost less than 100 bucks. I received soooo many compliments. I would definitely recommend this, and buy a petticoat to give it that something extra.
While victory rolls, vintage waves and micro bang hairstyles were ultra-popular styles back when pin-up girls and screen sirens reigned supreme, these same fun, flirty looks can be worn today. It doesn’t matter if you’re wearing it as a style for Halloween or for a special occasion; all of these styles are wearable and fairly easy to create. To look like a bombshell calendar girl in modern times, here are some pin-up styles for long hair that you’ve got to try out:
Welcome to the home of Retro Glam, the sister company to our brick and mortar store Rowena! After serving the local Edmonton community on Whyte Ave since 1998, in 2012 we took to serving the world with the start of our website! We pride ourselves on being inclusive and having outfitted guys, gals, and visitors to our fair city (and around the world!) with our eclectic mix of rock’ clothing, footwear, and accessories. Embracing the many sides of the modern pinup we carry clothes that show case the old school glamour of bygone eras specializing in pinup clothing, 40s, 50s, vintage reproduction dresses, etc all the way to punk and goth inspired goods! Whether you are looking for the perfect dress to have all eyes on you, skirts and pants, tops, or fabulous swimwear to soak up the sun in - we have something for everyone! You are sure to find us there there supporting the local scene, Be it car shows, concerts, or tattoo conventions (either working, or just having fun!).
Lipstick "turned into a symbol of resilient femininity in the face of danger"[25] and was seen as a way to boost morale during the war. The shape of the lip was also iconic of the 1940s. The lips were painted on to look plumper, a broad outline of the lip was added for roundness. This fuller look is known as the "Hunter's Bow", invented by Max Factor.[26] The pin curl is a staple of the pin-up style, "women utilized pin curls for their main hair curling technique".[27] Originating in the 1920s from the "water-waving technique", the hair style of the 1940s consisted of a fuller, gentle curl. The drying technique consists of curling a damp piece of hair, from the end to the root and pin in place. Once the curl is dry, it is brushed through to create the desired soft curl, with a voluminous silhouette.[27] Victory rolls are also a distinctive hairstyle of the pin-up. The Victory roll is curled inward and swept off the face and pinned into place on the top of the head. Soft curls, achieved through the pin curl technique, finish off the look of pin-up.[28] As a makeup style, the classic pin-up underwent a revival in modern fashion. The red lip and winged eyeliner made a re-emergence in 2010, with singer, Katy Perry being the most accessible example of modern pin-up makeup. There is a lack of representation in the media of women of color as pin-up models, even though they were influential to the construction of the style and were just as glamorous.[29] As a makeup style, it is simple and sleek makeup, that is noticeable and glamorous.
Dressing in vintage style clothing for a themed event or personal fashion is our passion. We turned a hobby into this website to make it easy to find vintage inspired clothing for women and men online spanning 1900-1960s. Our fashion history blog helps you create the look from decades past using vintage, vintage inspired and thrifty clothing, Need help? Ask us anytime.
Shop our stunning collection of pinup dresses for women online. Rebels Market always brings you the best deals on all things pinup and retro inspired, sparing no costs to bring you the best high-quality pin up style dresses that we could find. You can emulate the ultra-sexy pin ups in the 50’s like the notable Betty Page by pairing our 50’s pin up dresses with any of our many accessories found at discount prices. We also have a large selection of gorgeous pin up style shoes to complement your pin up outfit.
New to pin-up clothing altogether? Your wardrobe is in for a treat! Pin-up style dresses are super flattering and fun to wear. Start with the classic fit and flare style, which effortlessly defines your waistline and twirls beautifully at the hem. Looking for something with a little more va-va-voom? We'd suggest a wiggle dress without a second thought! This style hugs your curves and accentuates your silhouette. Similarly, the sheath dress is a fitted style that creates a gorgeous, streamlined look. Pair with a statement accessory and ruby lip for maximum impact. Our selection of pin-up clothing includes elegant underpinnings, too! These contouring shorts and high-waist panties will help create the perfect foundation for you look. Vintage-inspired vivacity doesn't get any better than this!
Modern art – art for the masses, that is – is supposed to be fun and flirty, which is why this collection of American pin-up art is so incredible to scan through. Regardless of how you feel about the whole idea of Russia and its current state of affairs, you have to admit that this is a new blend of talent that shows off all sorts of things at once. If you know anything about Russia and their rules, you understand that their Soviet social posters are important in terms of their rigid rules and propriety. All of that is ridiculed in a tasteful way by spicing them up with pin-up art that really makes you take a second glance at these posters.
Designed with a Barbie appeal in mind, this vintage swimsuit comes with shelf bust, silicone gel top seam and a fit perfected with nylon and spandex fabric. The straps are adjustable and removable, giving you all the versatility you need throughout the summer season. The best part of all is that the stripes are placed in positions that emphasize your natural body shape, bringing attending to your bust (not too much, of course) while slimming your waist and hip area.
Modern pin up girls provide plenty of inspiration for how to wear 1940s and 1950s pin up dresses in a fresh way: Mix and match swing dresses with colorful fluffy petticoats and a hair flower. A wiggle pin up dress ads a sexier variety that can also be office appropriate with a matching jacket. Don’t forget seamed stockings and a comfortable but oh-so-sexy pair of wedge heels or casual ballet flats. Think beyond the pin up dress with high waisted pants and shorts or swing skirts and tops. Use the 40s and 50s menus at the top for more pin up clothing.
To get the best results from a set, great tools and products are a must. To create a strong curl, you need a small barrel tong. My favorite is from the Babyliss Pro Dial-a-Heat range. I just don’t think you can beat it. Everyone has their own favorite brushes, but I favor a Denman bristle brush or Spornette Wonder Brush and a comb to create this look.
These types of retro swimsuit bottoms leave much more to the imagination than those itsy bitsy thong bikinis that seem to be “the thing” in this modern-day world, making them mysterious and sexy. And as the saying goes, less is not always more and our high waist retro bottoms are the perfect example of just that. Cinched at the waist before extending slightly above, these retro bikini bottoms will give you a perfect silhouette and all the comfort and coverage you desire.
Pinup fashion models of the 1950s wore many stilettos with a 4 inch heel. In the beginning, the heels on these shoes ended in a metal cap. Many establishments found that they cut into hardwood floors, so they were banned from many office settings. The first stilettos were introduced in 1954 with a very rounded toe. The square-toe version came out three years later. They came in a variety of colors so that a woman could easily coordinate her wardrobe. Almost all options had high arches with a V-shaped cut into the shoe’s sides. Most women going to a formal affair chose a pair of red ones. Compliment your night out on the town with these red stilettos from Pinup Girl Clothing(@pinupgirlclothing).
Christina Aguilera and Gwen Stefani have been spotted on red carpets events, cameos and recordings in Pin-up make-up and fashion. Some of their music videos have a touch of pin-up styles through the hair, dance styles and costumes. Christina Aguilera starred in the 2010 film Burlesque with Cher. Katy Perry music and music videos are all inspired by pin-up fashion. Dita Von Teese also carries her classic style on and off the stage.
Dresses are the main staple of pin up clothing. Wether they are tube dresses, swing dresses, polka dotted, florals, stripes, halter dresses, the possibilities are endless. You could literally spend all summer in pin up dresses and never grow tired of them. If you don’t like wearing cute dresses, fear not! There are plenty of choices on the dark side, too, and they fit perfectly suited for pinup style. Think about the sailor inspired style: navy blue with white and red details? Yes, please! Seafoam Dream Green Dress
To get pin curls: dab gel onto the root of a small section of damp hair, then twirl that section of hair around your finger until you get to your scalp. (You can twirl in whatever direction you’d like the curls to flow.) Slide your finger out of the curl and pin the curl to your head. Repeat for your entire head of hair, allow hair to dry, then remove pins, and voila![1]
Pick an era, any era! Vintage dresses have always been a ModCloth styling staple - in fact, it was a love of throwback fashion that gave us a presence on the internet in the first place. While moving forward in the fashion world is important, we take our retro roots around here pretty seriously, as evidenced by our incredible selection of unique vintage dresses. Should you find yourself a fan of 1930s dresses, a devotee of mod shift frocks from the '60s, or an enthusiast of edgy 1980s style, you're guaranteed to discover a nostalgic look that caters to your timeless tastes!
Begin with the fringe area. Create a horizontal parting from the crown area down to the ears. Gather hair from the fringe and sides to create a ponytail at the crown. Backcomb the underside interior of the hair. Gather ends and roll under to create your fringe roll. Use a hair donut, padding or gentle backcombing for extra support. Pin under as needed with bobby pins. Smooth the exterior of the fringe with a fine tooth comb and light hairspray.
Bettie Page was a stunning woman. She looked fabulous wearing an easy pinned up hairstyle – well, then there wasn’t such a definition, women only did their best to move with the times. Bettie did her best to become an example of how sexy a girl can look. She was pretty bold, wearing a perfect hairstyle and nothing more – we mean, she was often spotted almost naked. However, the modern ladies can inherit only the hairstyle from her, adding it to their regular outfits. Here we have some examples of hairstyles that remind us miss Page and her ability to combine a feminine hairstyle with an aggressive hotness.
Pin-up fashion is synonymous to and a combination of Burlesque, Rockabilly and Old Hollywood Glamour in terms of clothes, hair, makeup, shoes and accessories. It's all about being classy yet elegant, flirty without going overboard. It's more on minimalism and simplicity with just a little skin exposure. With a little cleavage men are teased. This style celebrates women, from their curves to their flawless faces. Don't worry if you think you aren't skinny enough to pull off the perfect pin up girl look. The pin-up culture embraces your natural hips and curves.
Though Marilyn Monroe and Bettie Page are often cited as the classic pin-up, there were many women of color who were also considered to be impactful. In the 1920s two of the most notable Black burlesque dancers were Josephine Baker and Lottie Graves. Despite the little history on Black burlesque dancers, Baker and Graves are a good starting point for evaluating women of color in pin-up. Dorothy Dandridge and Eartha Kitt also added to the pin-up style of their time, using their looks, fame, and personal success. African-American pin-up finally had a platform when the magazine, Jet, was created in 1951. Jet supported pin-up as they had a full page feature called, "Beauty of the Week", where African-American women posed in a swimsuits and such. This was intended to showcase the beauty these women possessed as they lived in a world where their skin color was under constant scrutiny. It was not until 1965 that Jennifer Jackson became the first African American to be published in Playboy as Playmate of the Month. And it was not until 1990 that Playboy's Playmate of the Year was an African-American woman, Renee Tenison. Historically, women of color in pin-up are still not as common as their white counterparts. However, the recent revival of pin-up style has propelled many women of color today to create and dabble with the classic pin-up look to create their own standards of beauty. In Jim Linderman's self-published book, Secret History of the Black Pin Up,[37] he describes the lives and experiences of African-American pin-up models.
Fine Frame Edgier Looks. For the edgier side of the fine frame looks, try the opposite of the flowing fabrics and go for a straight tailored look. Pixie length bottoms with a tailored leather jacket over a chiffon blouse make for an excellent look. Pair it with some bold makeup and finger-waved hair and a pair of cheetah print platform pumps and you’ve got a fabulous combination.
Read my article Sammy Davis, for complete details, but no fashion designer had more influence on the 1950s fashion than Christian Dior. His influence can be seen in the A-line dress that he introduced in the spring of 1955. Until that point, women had worn fashions with tightly nipped-in waist and broad shoulders. The A-line was seen as radical because of its narrow shoulders, elongated waistline and trumpet-like flared hemline. Take a look at this vintage A-line dress from Rose Wholesale (@rosewholesale_official) to create this look for yourself.
