Vintage Pin up Girls

The term pin up girl was coined in the 1940s, but it had its beginnings much earlier. Pin up models symbolize the era in which they became famous and their pictures became sensational. The word "pin up" came from calendars, which people would pin up to see the pictures. 

A pin up girl in today's terms would be a fashion icon such as Dita Von Teese or Katy Perry, who sport retro pin up girl styles of the 40s and 50s. For a more modern pin up girl you can look at Tyra banks or even Madonna. 

The term pin up girl in the 1940s became a euphemism for "cheesecake", which in today's terms would be known as sex symbol. Pin up girls are the symbol of the ideal sexy, glamorous, woman of the time period. The most well known pictures from each decade are of pin up models and actresses.

The names of many pin up girls are familiar to everyone. In the 1920s, none are more famous than Mary Pickford, Josephine Baker, Gloria Swanson and of course Mae West

Mary Pickford was the deminutive star of silent film in the 1920s. Her notability, unlike other pin up girls, became her symbol of sweetness and innocence. She wore ringlet curls which made her look young and sweet.

Gloria Swanson hit her pin up prime during the 1920s. Her silent films were elaborate productions of fur, feathers, and incredible period costume pieces. Known for her fashion and style, she was an icon of the 1920s.

Josephine Baker was famous for her nude photographs and sex appeal. She is one of the first black women to become famous in the burlesque world with both a black and white audience. She is also one of the most substantial influences of pin up photography. Her, among other pin up stars, were the first women to show a lot of skin.

If Josephine Baker ushered in a new age of pin up girl, Mae West made it flourish. At age 38 she became one of the sexiest women on film and was well known for her ample figure. The subject of song, music and a new modern take on women, Mae West indirectly gave rise to Betty Grable's fame in the 1940's, in my opinion.

During the 1940s, the surge in pin up girl photography and art began in earnest. 

Men, far from home, away from family and loved ones, clung to an ideal of beauty and femininity. The pin up girl was the picture hung in a locker, painted on the side of a plane, carried inside a wallet to remember what was waiting back home.

During the same time, women were at home coming to terms with being alone and sometimes having to take jobs, a new experience for women during that time. Pin up girls were an ideal for women to uphold as well. Glamor and style were in the forefront and women were taking hold of their appeal, while at the same time trying to survive in a man's world.

Betty Grable, Rita Hayworth and Lana Turner were pictured everywhere. The new ideal woman was sleek, stylish and above all sexy.

When anyone speaks or writes the words "pin up girl", the image usually conjures up Betty Grable in her famous swimsuit pose. (see pic). Many other icons of the 1940s and 50s were vintage pin up girls. 

The glamor of the pin up girl belonged to forever and always, Betty Grable. While other models and actresses became known for pin up girl photography, Betty Grable became synonymous with the genre. 

It all began with a swimsuit photograph. Betty, muscular and slim from years of dancing, had the picture taken as a publicity shot for a movie about a music hall star. The picture was printed onto five million post cards and released to the GI population. 

Instantly a sensation, Betty Grable became The Pin Up Girl. 

A short list of pin up girls will give you famous names of celebrities like Bettie Page, however they will also give a list of illustrators and artists. These artists have given rise to the pin up girl illustrations industry and instead of the women in the illustrations being famous, the illustrations themselves are what became famous.

One of the most famous pin up girl artists is Alberto Vargas, who is known to have made "the most famous movie poster of all time". Vargas painted exceptional pin up girl works which have become calendars, post cards, coffee table books and more. His individual works are known as Vargas Girls.

Pin up girls are an idealized version of women around the world, but especially of American women. Rather than a true depiction of women, they portray an ideal image of what makes a woman beautiful and desirable.

Vintage pin up girls have given rise to the supermodel industry. While during the time periods, vintage versions were also idealized versions of women, they were more attainable.The women of the 40s and 50s were also healthier, stronger women role models in terms of figure. For instance Betty Grable was famous for her muscular physique