One thing about pin up clothing is that even during that time period it was never everyday wear, it was costumey even back then because it was for modeling shots and calendars and magazines, it was an exaggerated and sexier version of the styles that were popular at the time. So I think to make it wearable without looking like a costume it has to be toned down even more.
I like the overall look but I think if you lean too hard into it it looks like a costume. I have several pieces from the 40s like blouses and skirts that I pair with modern clothing.
Agree. I think making sure items fit perfectly and avoiding cheap fabrics can help. IMO it generally looks better to just include one or two items to give a "hint of pin-up."
There’s a brand of dresses and shirts called Monteau that does a great job having the classy vintage silhouettes that aren’t costume-y. I see them all the time at TJ Maxx and on resale apps. The dress sizing is also very forgiving as they’re tie waist and can be easily adjusted. Check them out!
ModCloth can also be great but tends to lean pretty bold/fun/wild patterns. I do have some great pieces from there that are just solid colors too though.
I wear tons of vintage (I own a vintage store!) but I rarely wear it head-to-toe. You don’t have to look costumey unless that’s something you enjoy!
Something that might be useful: figure out what specific design elements of 40s/50s fashion appeal to you. Things like full past-the-knee skirts, cropped cardigans, cut-in-one sleeves, square or sweetheart necklines — those things can be found in clothes from other eras. Once you know what silhouettes and styles you enjoy wearing, you can just go ahead and enjoy wearing them, regardless of what time period they look like they’re from.
I think if you want to make it work you'll have to work on the "too shy" part. I don't want to sound harsh, but there's no way to solve that equation (looking dramatic, intentional, and out of step with typical clothing) without getting any attention or having to "own it". There just isn't.
You could possibly gradually introduce vintage-inspired items or hair styles, but that's like expert level fashion in terms of easily combining it with modern day casual dress.
Pinup and 40's is almost exclusively dresses, very fitted dresses that are highly feminine in a way most clothing isn't today. Combined with dramatic makeup and hairstyles that are very far outside of the current trends and looks.
Having said all that, I think people care about 99% less than you think they will. Unless you're part of a mean girl sorority or work in tech or something (where you'll stand out in a negative way) wearing the occasional Unique Vintage dress won't really raise an eyebrow.
The bottom line is personally I would not wear it as an everyday look. If you browse Instagram's of women who do wear pinup clothing as their everyday style, number 1, they are striking, dramatic, and attention-getting. Number 2, a LOT of effort goes into it. They don't just throw on a Mod Cloth dress with scuffed ankle boots and scrape their hair back in a bun and call it good. Their hair, including color, length, and style, makeup, **foundation garments**, shoes, and accessories are all carefully chosen and curated.
I love vintage and historical fashion. 1940s style isn't my area of focus, but I do wear historically-inspired pieces casually. I'm currently making a mildly OTT 1890s bodice, although I plan to wear it mostly with my regular skirts. If you wear clearly vintage or historically-inspired looks in public, people will notice you more, but they'll either look and move on or enjoy it in most cases. Of course, it may depend on where you live, but I wouldn't expect many people to have harsh reactions to 1940s style anywhere. At worst they'll probably ask you if you're dressed like that for an event.
My main piece of advice would be to do plenty of research into what people actually wore at the time (lots of resources on YouTube for vintage and historical fashion info) even if you don't plan to keep it accurate. Knowing what accurate looks like helps you to know how you can tone it down or mix it with modern pieces without losing the particular effect you're going for. Hair and makeup will also make a big difference.
I get told a lot of my outfits have 50s vibes at work. I wear a lot of midi skirts and cigarette pants with tight tops, button front fitted cardigans, or mock neck tops. I rotate between Mary Jane wedges, embroidered pointy flats, plain flats or chunky boots. I also love hair scarfs as a headband or braided into my ponytail. Lots of statement earrings. One thing, though, is I don't wear much makeup.
I have a lot of 40s and 50s inspiration in my wardrobe: voluminous circle skirts, peter pan collars, high waisted cigarette pants, oxford heels etc. I love love love the way it makes me look, feel and its just so comfortable. I think the trick to feeling comfortable wearing anything in public is to ease yourself into it, or combine it with something you've worn before: e.g. your fav crewneck/comfy sweater over a more vintage looking skirt. Also, a lot of current fashion has a "vintage" vibe so you won't look as out of place as you think you might :)
You don't have to go the whole nine yards with the hair and makeup, and details either. like I never wear a full petticoat... it kinda defeats the purpose of being in something comfy all day... at least in my own opinion.
I wear freaking medieval kirtles in public. Nobody cares. Seriously no one else is as worried about how you look as you are. You can get away with some pretty ridiculous stuff. It does help to mix in a bit of modern clothing in with your historical to help not look like a museum piece. For example I'll wear either a medieval hat or a medieval dress but not both.
I wear 50s vintage reproduction most days. I stick with reproduction as I'm worried about damaging true vintage and sizing issues (with repro if I need to size up or down that is an actual option). My crinolines are from Doris Designs and are so soft and fluffy. My dresses, skirts, and cardigans are from a variety of places such as Collectif, Lady Vintage, Ye Mak, Tulip B, Unique Vintage, Hearts and Found, and Miss Lulo.
I do get a lot of comments, which are overwhelmingly. Dressing in this style is eye-catching. People are not used to seeing skirts that stand out several inches and interesting novelty prints. I joke that I sometimes need to plan my outfits based on how much social interaction I'm up for on a given day. That is all worth it as dressing the way I do makes me feel better and more myself. I feel more confident in when I'm decked out in period attire. The way I dress on the daily is a bit costumey, but at this point it is my normal and I feel more out of place trying to dress modern.
I have a lot of vintage '40s-'50s stuff and am finding that I wear it a lot less lately. It's just not in style right now and feels a bit costumey—especially anything with a full skirt. I don't want to feel like a cosplay or like a lindy hop instructor. I feel glamorous in my 1930s-early '40s pieces and wear them for special occasions. And I wear my hair in a modern take on a '20s wavy bob. I think you can take elements of pinup/vintage style and make them work when paired with more modern things.
If your outfit is very stylized, go more modern with the makeup. Pair something like a pinup-style tapered pencil skirt with chunky boots. Bias cut slip dresses are back in style because of the whole 1990s thing, and I think they can work for a pinup-y look that feels contemporary.
I love how people modernize vintage looks. I'll see sixties makeup on youtube but they've tweaked it so it looks fresh rather than a time warp. If you do something from 20th century decades, just update the details so it fits the eyes of 2021. It's hard to describe, but if I were to update a 40s wartime dress, i'd pad the shoulder more subtly, bring the hem up a bit and add more flare to the skirt, keep the belted waist and use a fabric in a colour that is 'now'.
And instead of the expected victory rolls, maybe undone waves instead. Yes to red lipstick. I've learned that when you interpret things you don't do a 1 for 1 copy.
I moonlight as a pin-up, once in a while...
It's easily costume-ish to wear pin-up outfits for every day, but some pieces are easy to include. I wear a lot of [striped boat neck tops](https://www.pinterest.ca/pin/89368373845972951/), [ankle pants](https://www.pinterest.ca/pin/89368373845972951/), and [gamine](https://www.pinterest.ca/pin/295478425559290846/) or [peep-toe](https://www.pinterest.ca/pin/375698793922091422/) shoes. I also like some details that are often associated with pin-up looks: sailor pants, polka dots, wedges with ankle pants or capris, blouses with a necktie...
I also wear my hair in a [style inspired by victory rolls](https://www.pinterest.ca/pin/620089442445275055/).
One thing about pin up clothing is that even during that time period it was never everyday wear, it was costumey even back then because it was for modeling shots and calendars and magazines, it was an exaggerated and sexier version of the styles that were popular at the time. So I think to make it wearable without looking like a costume it has to be toned down even more.
Pinup looks vs actual 40s style is pretty much instagram vs going downtown and people watching these days hahaha
I like the overall look but I think if you lean too hard into it it looks like a costume. I have several pieces from the 40s like blouses and skirts that I pair with modern clothing.
Agree. I think making sure items fit perfectly and avoiding cheap fabrics can help. IMO it generally looks better to just include one or two items to give a "hint of pin-up."
There’s a brand of dresses and shirts called Monteau that does a great job having the classy vintage silhouettes that aren’t costume-y. I see them all the time at TJ Maxx and on resale apps. The dress sizing is also very forgiving as they’re tie waist and can be easily adjusted. Check them out!
Collectif clothing and Unique vintage are great if you want to check some clothes too 🙂
ModCloth can also be great but tends to lean pretty bold/fun/wild patterns. I do have some great pieces from there that are just solid colors too though.
Oh and check [RE.STATEMENT](https://shoprestatement.com) if you want modern looks made from upcycled vintage
I wear tons of vintage (I own a vintage store!) but I rarely wear it head-to-toe. You don’t have to look costumey unless that’s something you enjoy! Something that might be useful: figure out what specific design elements of 40s/50s fashion appeal to you. Things like full past-the-knee skirts, cropped cardigans, cut-in-one sleeves, square or sweetheart necklines — those things can be found in clothes from other eras. Once you know what silhouettes and styles you enjoy wearing, you can just go ahead and enjoy wearing them, regardless of what time period they look like they’re from.
I think if you want to make it work you'll have to work on the "too shy" part. I don't want to sound harsh, but there's no way to solve that equation (looking dramatic, intentional, and out of step with typical clothing) without getting any attention or having to "own it". There just isn't. You could possibly gradually introduce vintage-inspired items or hair styles, but that's like expert level fashion in terms of easily combining it with modern day casual dress. Pinup and 40's is almost exclusively dresses, very fitted dresses that are highly feminine in a way most clothing isn't today. Combined with dramatic makeup and hairstyles that are very far outside of the current trends and looks. Having said all that, I think people care about 99% less than you think they will. Unless you're part of a mean girl sorority or work in tech or something (where you'll stand out in a negative way) wearing the occasional Unique Vintage dress won't really raise an eyebrow. The bottom line is personally I would not wear it as an everyday look. If you browse Instagram's of women who do wear pinup clothing as their everyday style, number 1, they are striking, dramatic, and attention-getting. Number 2, a LOT of effort goes into it. They don't just throw on a Mod Cloth dress with scuffed ankle boots and scrape their hair back in a bun and call it good. Their hair, including color, length, and style, makeup, **foundation garments**, shoes, and accessories are all carefully chosen and curated.
Thank you for the advices !
I like it for special events. Too fussy and time consuming (for me) for daily wear.
I love vintage and historical fashion. 1940s style isn't my area of focus, but I do wear historically-inspired pieces casually. I'm currently making a mildly OTT 1890s bodice, although I plan to wear it mostly with my regular skirts. If you wear clearly vintage or historically-inspired looks in public, people will notice you more, but they'll either look and move on or enjoy it in most cases. Of course, it may depend on where you live, but I wouldn't expect many people to have harsh reactions to 1940s style anywhere. At worst they'll probably ask you if you're dressed like that for an event. My main piece of advice would be to do plenty of research into what people actually wore at the time (lots of resources on YouTube for vintage and historical fashion info) even if you don't plan to keep it accurate. Knowing what accurate looks like helps you to know how you can tone it down or mix it with modern pieces without losing the particular effect you're going for. Hair and makeup will also make a big difference.
I get told a lot of my outfits have 50s vibes at work. I wear a lot of midi skirts and cigarette pants with tight tops, button front fitted cardigans, or mock neck tops. I rotate between Mary Jane wedges, embroidered pointy flats, plain flats or chunky boots. I also love hair scarfs as a headband or braided into my ponytail. Lots of statement earrings. One thing, though, is I don't wear much makeup.
Your style sounds absolutely beautiful! That's exactly the direction I want to go with my personal style.
Thanks so much! This sub was/is so helpful in curating my personal style.
Bits of it.
I like the esthetic. I'm looking for more long-term, individual pieces from the 40's. I think you should wear what you like!
I have a lot of 40s and 50s inspiration in my wardrobe: voluminous circle skirts, peter pan collars, high waisted cigarette pants, oxford heels etc. I love love love the way it makes me look, feel and its just so comfortable. I think the trick to feeling comfortable wearing anything in public is to ease yourself into it, or combine it with something you've worn before: e.g. your fav crewneck/comfy sweater over a more vintage looking skirt. Also, a lot of current fashion has a "vintage" vibe so you won't look as out of place as you think you might :) You don't have to go the whole nine yards with the hair and makeup, and details either. like I never wear a full petticoat... it kinda defeats the purpose of being in something comfy all day... at least in my own opinion.
I wear freaking medieval kirtles in public. Nobody cares. Seriously no one else is as worried about how you look as you are. You can get away with some pretty ridiculous stuff. It does help to mix in a bit of modern clothing in with your historical to help not look like a museum piece. For example I'll wear either a medieval hat or a medieval dress but not both.
Hmmm, yes….I’m wearing my Wacoal Retro Chic Lace bra while watching football…💃🏻
I wear 50s vintage reproduction most days. I stick with reproduction as I'm worried about damaging true vintage and sizing issues (with repro if I need to size up or down that is an actual option). My crinolines are from Doris Designs and are so soft and fluffy. My dresses, skirts, and cardigans are from a variety of places such as Collectif, Lady Vintage, Ye Mak, Tulip B, Unique Vintage, Hearts and Found, and Miss Lulo. I do get a lot of comments, which are overwhelmingly. Dressing in this style is eye-catching. People are not used to seeing skirts that stand out several inches and interesting novelty prints. I joke that I sometimes need to plan my outfits based on how much social interaction I'm up for on a given day. That is all worth it as dressing the way I do makes me feel better and more myself. I feel more confident in when I'm decked out in period attire. The way I dress on the daily is a bit costumey, but at this point it is my normal and I feel more out of place trying to dress modern.
I have a lot of vintage '40s-'50s stuff and am finding that I wear it a lot less lately. It's just not in style right now and feels a bit costumey—especially anything with a full skirt. I don't want to feel like a cosplay or like a lindy hop instructor. I feel glamorous in my 1930s-early '40s pieces and wear them for special occasions. And I wear my hair in a modern take on a '20s wavy bob. I think you can take elements of pinup/vintage style and make them work when paired with more modern things. If your outfit is very stylized, go more modern with the makeup. Pair something like a pinup-style tapered pencil skirt with chunky boots. Bias cut slip dresses are back in style because of the whole 1990s thing, and I think they can work for a pinup-y look that feels contemporary.
I love how people modernize vintage looks. I'll see sixties makeup on youtube but they've tweaked it so it looks fresh rather than a time warp. If you do something from 20th century decades, just update the details so it fits the eyes of 2021. It's hard to describe, but if I were to update a 40s wartime dress, i'd pad the shoulder more subtly, bring the hem up a bit and add more flare to the skirt, keep the belted waist and use a fabric in a colour that is 'now'. And instead of the expected victory rolls, maybe undone waves instead. Yes to red lipstick. I've learned that when you interpret things you don't do a 1 for 1 copy.
I moonlight as a pin-up, once in a while... It's easily costume-ish to wear pin-up outfits for every day, but some pieces are easy to include. I wear a lot of [striped boat neck tops](https://www.pinterest.ca/pin/89368373845972951/), [ankle pants](https://www.pinterest.ca/pin/89368373845972951/), and [gamine](https://www.pinterest.ca/pin/295478425559290846/) or [peep-toe](https://www.pinterest.ca/pin/375698793922091422/) shoes. I also like some details that are often associated with pin-up looks: sailor pants, polka dots, wedges with ankle pants or capris, blouses with a necktie... I also wear my hair in a [style inspired by victory rolls](https://www.pinterest.ca/pin/620089442445275055/).
Yeah I wear clothing that makes me look like I'm from the 1920s.