Starting a pin up wardrobe: do's and don'ts

Starting a pin up wardrobe-

Do's and Don'ts

Looking like a pin up can be effortless (disregarding the eyeliner ofcourse), but you need the right wardrobe.

Here are some do's and don'ts that I wish I had when I started updating my wardrobe to a fabulous fifties / pin up style.

Do's:

1. Measure yourself!

I always reached for the M medium size clothes because I assumed I was somewhere in the middle.
Little did I know that I actually have 3-4 different sizes, depending on the body part that gets covered.

Clothing sizes are bullshit anyway. 
A medium 10 years ago at H&M would be an XL today. 
And different countries have different standards for what a medium, small or large is.
So be aware that certain brands are bigger (German brands like Banned) or smaller (Italian brands) than what you might be used to in your local market (Belgian/Dutch for reference in this case).

So instead of knowing your size, you should know your sizes - plural.

Put on some music, wear your prettiest underwear and measure your bust, waistline, and hips (this includes your booty).

TIP: Don't measure yourself in clothes, but solely in your undies. 
The difference between an okay fit and a perfect fit is worth a million dollars. (especially for your waistline, as it determines the entire pin up silhouet)

Oh and don't hold your tummy in, just be your perfectly imperfect self. 

You need to feel comfortable in your clothes, otherwise you won't wear them - then what's the point of buying them?

2. Get a supplier

Find a store with honest and friendly service (Seventy One ) or a good website like TopVintage or Unique Vintage that has detailed measurements and fabric information:

  Does it stretch? 

  Which part determines the size of the piece if it's a one piece? 

  What is recommended for people who are in between sizes?

TIP: Find a nice second hand store to score some vintage clothing. It's better for the environment, and they are unique pieces.

3. So many brands, so little money

It might be a whole new world for you, and (online)shopping isn't a lot of fun if you're not sure you're getting plenty of bang for your buck.

So take note of the most common pin up/ retro brands that offer good quality and have been tried and tested by many a pin ups before you:

• Hell Bunny 
• Collective Clothing 
• (Dancing days by) Banned 
• Rock Steady Clothing 
• King Louie 
• Vixen 
• Vintage Chic for TopVintage 
• Glamour Bunny 
• Pinup Couture (Deadly Dames) 
• The Pretty Dress Company 
• Stop Staring! 

Obviously this list is not complete, but it's a list of the brands that I personally wear and love and highly recommend :-)

Feel free to share your favorite brands, in the comments below.

4. Next level: crack your color code

You might like the quattro stagioni pizza, but you can only be one out of 4 seasons.

You already know that certain colors suit you better than others, or maybe wether you prefer dark or lighter tones. 

But you can get real deep into the nitty gritty of what colors and tones suit your skin (undertone), and are a must-have or must-avoid color in your wardrobe.

Here are some good try at home tests to determine your season via color me pretty.
Or take it to the next level and determine your subtype (clear, deep, cool).

Once you have your basics in the basic pin up colors as well as some colors that suit your season, feel free to experiment tho :-)

Don'ts:

1. Don't buy statement pieces

That is, unless you're also buying at least as many, or ideally more, basic pieces.

I know you're tempted to buy that gorgeous dress or pencil skirt with that sexy detail or cool fabric.

But if you want to incorporate pin up style in your daily fashion, you need to have a solid amount of basics to combine and work with.

If you'd rather just be a pin up for a day/night, there are others things you want to check out first.

TIP: Have a system in place where you buy 2 basics for every 1 statement/ special piece. That will ensure a slow but steady build up towards your pin up wardrobe.

2. Don't fall for the cheap Chinese knock offs

Retro style is on the rise, and so are the stores/brands that sell these items.
But also, the knock offs that are trying to get a piece of the action.

When you are starting out your 50ies wardrobe, you want to start with some solid basics.
Once you have a sturdy foundation, feel free to experiment and play around with some Chinese fakes. 

The chances of these pieces being qualitative, durable and comfortable are very very small (kind of like the Chinese themselves ;-) ).
 It's a fun experiment to do when you have a bit of extra cash on the side, but don't start your wardrobe off with cheap, knock offs.

Pin ups and bombshells were meant to look and feel like a million bucks.

TIP: How to spot a knock off.

Apart from the Google translate English and too good to be true prices. 

Chinese knock offs crop out the head of the model who is wearing the original piece of clothing. 

E.g. Retrostage is a known knock-off with duplicated pictures and dresses.

Great! Now you're officially qualified to go on a pin up shopping spree 💛
Don't forget to comment and subscribe if you liked this post :-) 

UP NEXT: Starting a pin up wardrobe: the essential checklist.






- Buttercup, the imperfect pin up