A Short History Of The Pin Up Girls

Pin Up Girl

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Last Updated on November 8, 2021 by Steal the Style

 

The 1940’s was an eventful era. The Japanese attacked Pearl Harbor, Anne Frank went in to hiding and the term pin up girl was attested in to English, however the practice has been documented since the 1890s. Pin-ups were usually artwork, often depicting idealized versions of what some thought a particularly beautiful or attractive woman should look like.

The most well know use of pin ups were in the Second World War as they were sent to soldiers to boost morale.  The images were placed in magazines, newspapers, calendars and post cards but as they became more famous the images were mass produced and sold as posters and such. This famous print of Betty Grable was taken in 1943 by Frank Powolny, 5 million copies of this print were distributed to GI’s during WWII.

Betty Grable's famous pin-up photo
Betty Grable’s famous pin-up photo

The pin up girls gave the GI’s of WW2 something to dream about and a reason to come home. The images and movies were well supplied to the GI’s to give them a brief distraction from the war and keep their spirits high.

Before the pin up girl there was the Gibson girls, which was art work made famous by artist Charles Dana Gibson. These images depicted the ideal woman of the time. They were shown to have hourglass figures and were tall with long thin necks accentuated by a bouffant hairdo. The first model for the drawings is thought to be Gibson’s wife. And so the pin up artists of the 40’s and 50 are carried on the tradition with their own brand of Pin up girls.

Many pin-ups were photographs of celebrities who were considered sex symbols. One of the most popular early pin-up girls was Betty Grable. Her poster was ubiquitous in the lockers of G.I.’s during World War II” – Wikipedia.

1000 Pin-up Girls: Twenty Fifth Anniversary Edition

 

In modern times the tradition of pin up girls lives on in a different art form. The pin up girl tattoo is a nice tribute to the beautiful ladies of the 40’s and 50’s.

Tinsley Transfers 40's Pinup Girl Temporary Tattoo

Another tribute to the pin up girls is 1940s fancy dress. Normally sold as adults fancy dress, the costumes can make you feel like the beautiful girls of the 40’s and 50’s.

Many pin-ups were photographs of celebrities who were considered sex symbols. One of the most popular early pin-up girls was Betty Grable. Her poster was ubiquitous in the lockers of G.I.’s during World War II” – Wikipedia.

Leg Avenue Women's 5 Piece Pin Up Army Girl Costume, Khaki, Small

In modern times the tradition of pin up girls lives on in a different art form. The pin up girl tattoo is a nice tribute to the beautiful ladies of the 40’s and 50’s.

Another tribute to the pin up girls is 1940s fancy dress. Normally sold as adults fancy dress, the costumes can make you feel like the beautiful girls of the 40’s and 50’s.

You can find Pinup Girl Costumes for the best price on Amazon.

History Of The Pin Up Girls