Corsets, red lipstick, dressing up.....

[Starlet Sky]

Even though I have always been a pinup girl at heart, and a vintage lover since I can remember, I have only taken an extreme interest to my personal style recently; sporting the red lipstick, pin curls, stockings, corsets, etc. I used to look this way when I was younger ( age 16-22) and somehow " toned it down" for several years, and then the fever hit me again just this past year. I've had different reactions from different people. Although I tell myself I don't care what people think, it sort of hits a nerve when people close to me say what they think. My husband doesn't understand it, and thinks its an obsession that is superficial....and prefers me the way I look with no make-up, all natural ( he even could care less for the corsets and stockings!). My dad thinks the " old me" has returned, which isn't a positive thing, the old me was a self-centered person who did a lot of drugs. My mother thinks that red lipstick makes any woman look harsh. These are 3 people that seem to be the closest to me, and know me inside and out. I have been dealing with a lot of changes in my life, and have some newer demons to deal with. But could this whole obsession of looking like a pinup girl be a part of it? I don't know. I don't know if it truly is me embracing what makes me feel beautiful and sexy, or if it's a mask I'm trying to put on. Or if subconsciously I'm trying to avoid what's going on within by playing dress up.
Please do not get me wrong, this may or may not be the case with everyone. This may be a positive thing for me putting my other issues aside.
I'm someone who has changed my life around,and strives for growth, especially when I feel I am growing backwards.
I guess I wanted to hear thoughts and opinions on the subject. what do you think of outward beauty? Is it true there's some men out there who don't like corsets and stockings on a woman? Does red lipstick make me or any other woman loook harsh?
Do you have to dress up and put makeup on in order to feel pretty?

[Betty Maraschino {Madam}]

heya hunny, personally i think we all have a certain amount of outward beauty no matter what. If we choose to enhance whats there, its our own choice. no one becomes "beautiful" by make up and clothes alone.
there are men who dont like them. my flatmate is scared by corsets. i guess its just like you may not find skinny jeans and a tank top on a guy attractive. but dont wear them for him anyways, wear them because they make you feel good.
Red lipstick doenst make 99.99% of the population look harsh. and that 0.01% is because theyre wearing the wrong red. my mother is exactly the same, she doesnt understand why i want to wear make up that makes me "stand out". ive learned to ignore my mum lol.
I personally dont have to dress up and put on make up to feel pretty, but it sure does help! i never feel like im fully dressed when i dont have make up on. however, i can go a day or two with out any makeup.

hope i kinda helped. *hugs* and if i didnt read the 25 reasons to get dressed up thread ( http://www.pinuplifestyle.com/forum/topics/25-reasons-to-get-dresse... ) it sure does make ya feel good lol

[Starlet Sky]

Thanks for your reply ;)

[Roxy Tart {PL Team / Comm. Mgr}]

I think outer beauty is very important. And I think that looking pretty when I leave the house is a responsibility, it's my way of making the world a prettier place. LOL. Coco Chanel said, "Wear makeup. It’s so conceited not to". And I agree. I feel better about myself when I take the time to look nice. I think inner and outer beauty effect each other. Both are needed to truly be beautiful.

As for the people around you and what they think, it sounds like they just don't understand. "Normal" people don't usually understand subcultures or the people who are in them. All you can do is hope that they understand that this is what you want to do and who you are, even if it's just at this moment in time. It's your life and as long as you're not hurting anyone, you should be able to do whatever makes you happy.

[Starlet Sky]

Thanks, Doll!

Roxy Tart {M} said:

I think outer beauty is very important. And I think that looking pretty when I leave the house is a responsibility, it's my way of making the world a prettier place. LOL. Coco Chanel said, "Wear makeup. It’s so conceited not to". And I agree. I feel better about myself when I take the time to look nice. I think inner and outer beauty effect each other. Both are needed to truly be beautiful.

As for the people around you and what they think, it sounds like they just don't understand. "Normal" people don't usually understand subcultures or the people who are in them. All you can do is hope that they understand that this is what you want to do and who you are, even if it's just at this moment in time. It's your life and as long as you're not hurting anyone, you should be able to do whatever makes you happy.

[Kit Karson{★}]

Heres what I think...I remember picking up a paper doll book at a book store at the age of 4 with my mom flipping through it and thinking thats what I want to look like! The book was a paper doll book of Ziegfelds Follies..I remember listening to Elvis records with my Dad when I was little and watching American Graffiti..The Great Gatsby is one of my Favourite books...I personally have always had an appreciation for all things classic. I'm not a cookie cutter girl. I don't want to buy my clothes at the gap. I want to dress like a flapper one day and a pin up girl the next if I so choose. It's all about what makes you feel like you..what makes you feel beautiful!! but only you can feel that way the person makes the clothes not the other way around ive always said..and as far as people close to you not understanding..I have the same thing to deal with on my end. But I'll quote Dylan on this one "All I can do is be me..whoever that is" hope this helps

[Edson Carlos]

Heels or get walking!

[Starlet Sky]

Huh?

[Edson Carlos]

Do what you need to do for YOU, get those heels on, get that lipstick on and FEEL GOOD! That's whats important.

Starlet Sky said:

Huh?

[Starlet Sky]

Amen!