Vintage 1940s Pin-Up Style, Dresses & Swim suits

Who wore it?

Marilyn Monroe, Betty Grable, Betty Page, Janis Carter, Rita Hayworth

Accessories

Hair additions such as large flowers, clips and bows, one piece and high waist 2 piece swimsuits.

A Brief History

‘Americana’ artists like George Petty, Rolf Armstrong, and Gil Evgren began creating pin up art of pretty women calendars, magazine covers, match books and everything in between, and the era of the pin up was born.

Film stars got in on the game and loads of the top actresses like Bettie Page started as pin up girls then switched to movies.

The swim suits were initially the 2 piece type, but 1 piece swim suits grew in popularity. It made the Navy lads and G.I.s happy too, and we all know the lads from the bases need a distraction.

An Interesting Fact

Artist George Petty (one of the best known pin up artists) is particularly known for “the Petty Girl”, pin-up paintings that were done for Esquire magazine between 1933 and 1956.

He frequently depicted these women with their lengths of their legs longer and their heads smaller than those of his actual models.

Best Bit?

The pin up girl legacy, still going strong to this day…

Worst Bit?

Terrible pin up tattoos.

Designers

Rose Marie Reid, Kittiwake

The 40s boasted a unique style of beachwear, see our favourite picks of vintage 1940s pin up stlye swimsuits below, available from various stores online.