Do you think it matters if "pinups" don't live the pinup lifestyle every day?

[Alice Cat]

Do you think it matters that me and other models like me aren't 'traditional' pin-up? The majority of my pictures aren't really pin-up at all, they are pin-up inspired, whether it be because of my hairstyle or my pose or the fact that I'm wearing fully fashioned stockings.

 

Does it annoy you when people who don't really live the Pin-Up Lifestyle at all, list themselves alongside classic pin-ups?

 

I often feel like certain people in the 'industry' look down on me because I don't wear full skirts and because I listen to Korn and because I wear more modern clothes, and I'm not really a classic pin-up at all.

 

What're your thoughts?

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

There is huge difference between living "Pin Up" and living "Vintage". This thread is not about living vintage, and any discussions about that should be started on another thread. 

 

Living "PinUp" simply means that in your everyday life you rock any of the looks in this genre. Vintage (although not always pinup), rockabilly, glamor, psychobilly, etc.

 

I live "Pin Up" basically every day. When I leave the house I get dressed up in full hair and make up, but my style varies between 50's glam, rockabilly and psychobilly. I listen to the "oldies" station and the big band station on the radio, and my ipod is full of crooners and rockabilly. My house was built in the 1930's, and I've left as much original as I can.

 

That being said I wear my yoga pants and tank tops around the the house, I'm a Juggalette, I like Ke$ha and hip hop, and my hair color changes constantly. I still consider myself a "real" pin up girl. It's in my walk, my attitude, my style, my life.

 

I have no problem with people who love the style but don't live it. Nothing says you have to live the style you love (I'm head over heels in love with Himigyaru, but I just can't pull it off).

 

However, I do have a problem with girls who call themselves a Pin Up and know nothing about it. Just because you saw Xtina's Candyman Video and bought a MAC Russian Red lipstick does not make you a pin up. Just like doing one TF shoot that you put on facebook does not make you a Pin Up Model! (sorry, rant over).

 

If you love it, feel it, know about it and incorporate it into your life, you are a pin up.

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

This is the perfect way to put it!!

Ms. Ashley Anne said:

 I guess it's not a lifestyle for me anymore, but a style I admire.

 

[RL]

Ms. Ashley Anne said:

I was a into classic pin up in high school. I wore heels, a dress, and red lipstick nearly everyday to school and in my junior and senior year I worked an office job so it suited it well. However, I'm also an athlete. I've been an equestrian my whole life and compete in the Olympic sport of Eventing (Horse Triathlon) and spent a year in Las Vegas doing Muay Thai Kick Boxing and fighting. I'm currently in school to be a Phys. Ed teacher. In other words, I'm basically in work out clothes everyday and running shoes, with no make up. However, I love the pin up life style. I've always had a love for it. I really admire women who are able to dress pin up everyday, but I can't. I guess it's not a lifestyle for me anymore, but a style I admire. But in today's world I see modern pin ups as well, women like Sophia Vergara, or Kim Kardashian, women who never go out in public without lipstick, or heels and enhance their curvy frames. 

 

I have noticed that when I do need to dress up, I'm still a fan of the curvy, tiny-waisted dresses, but I don't do my hair in any classic style very much anymore. Why? Because I feel I'm too muscular now to pull it off now although I still admire it very much. 

 

 

Ms Ashley Anne:

   You have voiced the opinon of a Pin Up. I see it from a different perspective. Pin up started just as it says: Pictures from letters from Girl friends, Torn out of Magazines etc... were pined to walls and on the insides of locker doors. They represented the beauty of women. The fantasy of  the photo were coupled with the fantasy of who she was. You see Pin ups in every life situation, from tight waisted dresses and Lingerie, to cowboy hats and barns, bicycles and picnics. She was always beautiful. I sat on my Fathers knee and learn about woman. He taught me love & respect for women. He also taught me about the mystic power they have over men. Although clothes and make up can enhance this hypnotic spell, it is not the focus of the magic. This is even to say: They are sometimes out of place. As you wrote in your message. It is her presents and style which define her. Simply said a "Pin Up Girl" always a Pin up Girl. Its an attitude not so much a way of life.  LOL Rick

P.S. Beauty lies in the eyes of the beholder

[Kustomkarma]

 "was a into classic pin up in high school. I wore heels, a dress, and red lipstick nearly everyday to school and in my junior and senior year I worked an office job so it suited it well. However, I'm also an athlete. I've been an equestrian my whole life and compete in the Olympic sport of Eventing (Horse Triathlon) and spent a year in Las Vegas doing Muay Thai Kick Boxing and fighting. I'm currently in school to be a Phys. Ed teacher. In other words, I'm basically in work out clothes everyday and running shoes, with no make up. However, I love the pin up life style. I've always had a love for it. I really admire women who are able to dress pin up everyday, but I can't. I guess it's not a lifestyle for me anymore, but a style I admire. But in today's world I see modern pin ups as well, women like Sophia Vergara, or Kim Kardashian, women who never go out in public without lipstick, or heels and enhance their curvy frames. 

 

I have noticed that when I do need to dress up, I'm still a fan of the curvy, tiny-waisted dresses, but I don't do my hair in any classic style very much anymore. Why? Because I feel I'm too muscular now to pull it off now although I still admire it very much." 

 

I wouldn't worry about being too muscular. My last girlfriend was 5' - 10" and rowed crew at a collegiate level and she looked fine when she dressed up. There are all kinds of women with all kinds of shapes - and vintage can suite them all. :)

 

[lil miss prissy]

My favorite thing about living a vintage lifestyle is that I always seem over dressed compared to other people. I do not care if people stare or if I look out of place. I have been dressing this way since I was 12 and have built my collection over years and years. For me it has been easy because I am the same size as I was before kids, not everyone is that lucky.

The reality is that vintage clothing is not cheap and neither are the repros and not everyone can afford to dress that way everyday. Some may love the life and the lifestyle but can not afford to go out and buy an $80 skirt and are limited on clothing which may force them to only wear it at car shows, pinup contests and what not. As women our bodies are forever changing and not everyone can afford to go buy clothing every time their body fluctuates in weight or after having children.

We don't know everyone's situation so why judge?

[Lola B.]

I agree with everyone here. It can be a lifestyle, if you choose, or something that you only do for a short amount of time. It's almost as if you are an actor, you wouldn't expect Michelle Williams to Marilyn Monroe all the time so you shouldn't expect everyone to be in full pinup all the time.

[Kat Hazard]

It's like any other choice of lifestyle that is also just a fashion choice too. Like Gothic or Preppy. Some people might like to wear it but aren't as crazy about living that way. All people are different and I think if someone doesn't like it then they can keep to themselves. If you think that people who just dress like a pinup for a shoot or occasion are "posers" than ask yourself this is there ever a time that you Didn't wear your pinup style? Maybe even  for someone's event that asked for a different look, do you think someone in that lives in that lifestyle think your a "poser" too? Your just labeling people by getting annoyed by something so simple as someone Else's clothing choice. This is the real world, the Adult world. If you treat people unkindly because of what they wear or don't wear then you'll be treated like a teenager because That is the only time it's acceptable to be that way in life. This isn't high school anymore and you can't control what other people wear or like, just move on and focus on your own life.

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

One more time I'm going to say, this thread is NOT ABOUT VINTAGE LIVING. This is about the traditional vs. modern Pin Up Style. This includes Rockabilly, Psychobilly, Burlesque, and Fetish. All of these are based in the past, but are very modern. The original question asked was  "Do you think it matters that me and other models like me aren't 'traditional' pin-up?" along with "Does it annoy you when people who don't really live the Pin-Up Lifestyle at all, list themselves alongside classic pin-ups?"

 

Let's try to keep it focused on answering these questions. Thanks.

 

 

[Roxxy Allure]

I agree exactly. I love the clothes, i just cant afford to walk around like it everyday with 3 kids. I love the hair i just cant wear it on my job everyday or the makeup or the clothes. I am a graphic designer. It is what it is. and this thread has gotten a bit bitchy to a point, which is disappointing.. I admire the women who live it daily, I would If i could afford too. i just cant.. doesnt mean deep down I havent always been a pinup..Until facebook I didnt realize how many other people I shared the same pinup interest with... I also agree PINUP and VINTAGE are not the same

lil miss prissy said:

My favorite thing about living a vintage lifestyle is that I always seem over dressed compared to other people. I do not care if people stare or if I look out of place. I have been dressing this way since I was 12 and have built my collection over years and years. For me it has been easy because I am the same size as I was before kids, not everyone is that lucky.

The reality is that vintage clothing is not cheap and neither are the repros and not everyone can afford to dress that way everyday. Some may love the life and the lifestyle but can not afford to go out and buy an $80 skirt and are limited on clothing which may force them to only wear it at car shows, pinup contests and what not. As women our bodies are forever changing and not everyone can afford to go buy clothing every time their body fluctuates in weight or after having children.

We don't know everyone's situation so why judge?

[Ellie Retrophilia]

I'm also a young mother.  I do pinup when I'm not going to school, running errands or shuttling my son around.  IF I have the time in the mornings then yes I will put the extra effort in for my hair and makeup.  I am on a very tight budget so dressing pinup every day won't work for me (I have to make a veteran's pension stretch to work for 3 people).  I am a modern pinup who loves to go traditional from time to time.  So Alice, no it does NOT matter if you are traditional or not.  What matters is your attitude, grace and confidence.  THOSE convey more than clothes ever will.  Many of us add our own spin to pinup.  I'm into traditional pinup with a punk rock edge.  I may wear everything else for a shoot or event in traditional style but there will be a skull, tattoo flash, modern eye makeup or my tattoos peeking out somewhere.  Alice, NO ONE should EVER look down on you for adding your personal sense of style to a very cheeky and sweet art form.  Keep it sweet, keep it simple...and because you are...keep it edgy.  :) 

[Roxie Rose]

Can I just say, this thread is absolutely brilliant and has been one of the most insightful things I have seen in quite some time.

 

Thanks for sharing everyone, has definitely settled some questions in my head :)

 

R xx

[Shalynn Monrose]

Sounds like your like me. I listen to metal, don't wear red lipstick everyday, don't have a closet full of vintage clothes, don't have a classic car....but I love everything about vintage and pinup. Just because some people choose to live a vintage lifestyle everyday, doesn't mean you can't appreciate vintage and pinup. Be yourself and like what you like. If people have a problem with it they can f*** off.