Guide to Pin-up: Three Archetypes
From a girl who’s been on a fashion journey for quite some time, I understand just how hard it can be to develop your personal style. You’ve pinned hundreds of items on Pinterest and yet, you still have no idea what you’re doing. With Pin-up and vintage, it can all seem so overwhelming; after all many of the presented looks aren’t re-created for the masses. More so, Pin-up and vintage have many sub-genres! But today, I’m here to lend a helping hand! I am here to present you three Pin-up archetypes to help guide you on your vintage journey! First up Old Hollywood Glamour.
Old Hollywood Glamour
What I love about Old Hollywood Glamour is the fact that you can create a lot of looks without turning too many heads; great for those who aren’t trying to draw too much attention just yet. You see, Old Hollywood can go hand and hand with modern chic designs.
My first example is, of course, the Old Hollywood and Glamour Queen Marilyn Monroe. But notice how she isn’t dressed to the nines in a well-tailored dress. When Marilyn wasn’t on screen, she kept it toned down, but fabulous, with casual-chic looks. She wasn’t the only one to dress like this. Audrey Hepburn and Hedy Lamar also delivered casual and sophisticated looks!
What you will notice about some of their outfits are the relaxed separates. If it’s time to go blouse shopping, it might be best to stick with the basics; something white, something black, light greys and baby blues, a beige, etc. When it comes to bottoms three staples come to mind; the midi skirt, capris, and cigarette pants. Denim is okay but it is better reserved for Rockabilly. In addition to these combinations, wiggle and wrap dresses are fashionable and great for those days when you don’t want to coordinate your outfit.
When it comes to make-up, you may notice that the women of this era (the 40s-50s) didn’t cake it on. Like their casual fits, sometimes less was more. But what about their choice in red lipstick(s) you ask? Well let me ask you this friend, their lips are bold red, but what about their eyes? You’ll start to notice that these women hardly wore false lashes or bright-toned colored eyeshadows right. That’s because Old Hollywood focused on showing off persons natural features! If your eyes are your prized feature, your eyebrows should be your focus. Don’t go over plucking or heavy with brow powder. Your brows should be full, but not too full.
Accessory wise, faux pearls, or real ones if you can afford them, are your friend. A nice pearl earring and maybe a medium to small pearl chain is all you need. In general, your jewelry shouldn’t be too extravagant. However, dare to go wild with your choice in scarves; mainly headscarves. Pair them with sunglasses and you’ll have a nice Old Hollywood Glamour look. For shoes, it’s best to stick with a strappy heel or flat.
The Rockabilly
Do you ever just vibe with Ray Charles as he sings “She gives me money when I’m in need…” or do you dance when Little Richard’s “Tutti Frutti!” comes on? Do you like to embrace your tomboyish nature or walk on the wild side? Maybe you’re a Rockabilly baby!
Rockabilly kicks it up a notch in comparison to the style of Old Hollywood Glamour. Where Old Hollywood is softer and more sophisticated, Rockabilly is bold and daring. It kind of comes with the territory. Rockabilly literally combines Rock and Hillbilly.
When Rock and Roll was born, the mainstream downplayed its artist. After all, Rock and Roll did stem from African Americans’ and at the time, African Americans’ barely got any coverage amongst other things. However, it didn’t stop the genre from gaining popularity. Once Elvis Presley hit the stage, the horse that left the stable was never coming back. The mainstream media tried to put an end to the lively music style but that only made rebellious teenagers flock to it even more.
Rockabilly today combines the aesthetics of the 50s and throws some edge on it. You might find someone wearing a swing dress but rocking a pair of converse. Maybe they are wearing a striped tee and capris with pumps and bangs. But let’s look at the basics.
You could never go wrong with red, white, and blue. After all, Rockabilly is influenced by America and Rock and Roll. Look in your closet. That red or white plain tee, pull it out. You still got and can fit, in your dark blue boot cut jeans, throw them on and cuff the bottoms. Do you have red, white, or black Chuck Taylor’s? Put them on. Head to the mirror and grab your eyeliner; it’s time to go bold. Put your best and boldest cat’s eye on. Maybe pair it with a vibrant eyeshadow. And don’t forget your red lipstick!
The Femme Fatale
The Femme Fatale, I would say, is the hardest look to achieve out of the three. Finding the pieces isn’t the problem. In fact, a Femme Fatale can take root in Old Hollywood and Rockabilly styles. It can also take inspiration from any period between the 20s to the 60s. The Femme Fatale is the hardest to achieve because of its attitude.
The Femme Fatale is an archetype that originated in Film Noir. She was a beautiful woman who was charming and mysterious. She was also seductive and dangerous. Over periods of time, she’s been labeled a man-eater or a vamp. If you can embrace these characteristics, the look is already in your reach.
Because the archetype is noir based, it’s best to pull out dark colors. Black and red reign supreme in this realm but don’t be afraid of purples, emeralds, and blues. In fact, any color you enjoy can be made seductive if it’s catered to your body type. That’s right. I’m talking wiggle dresses, tube skirts, sheath dresses, pencil skirts. Even if you’re not seeing anyone, a nice pair of lingerie, that makes you feel sexy, paired with seamed stockings goes a long way.
The Femme fatale is well manicured and may even opt for contour makeup. However, some dark eyeshadow, a cat eye, and a bold red (or any color that matches your outfit) lipstick should do. Unfortunately, you can’t get away with sneakers within this archetype but you still shouldn’t go overhead with heels. A solid pump will do the trick. Make sure you bring your confidence or the look falls apart!
I hope what I’ve mentioned can serve as solid guides while you embrace your journey. I plan to expand on the categories mentioned above in the future. Until then, may you blossom in your Pin-up journey!
