Today we’re going to take a little trip down memory lane to a time when “vintage” wasn’t a Gen-Z term for the 90s. Back to a time before the Jenners or the Kardashians mattered, when rollers and pumps were a girl’s best friend, and what was considered sexy would be conservative by today’s standards.
Pin-up girls have been around for centuries. What started as a ploy to sell ad space in calendars in the late 1800s has since been pleasantly commodified into posters, postcards, tattoos and even entire shops dedicated to pin-up style. Harkening back to the heyday of 1950s Hollywood, it should come as no surprise that Los Angeles is still home to some of the country's best pin-up boutiques.
But with so many good shopping options, where’s a girl to begin? To get the scoop, we caught up with Pin-Ups For Vets—one of LA’s most unique non-profit organizations. Not only do these ladies play dress-up on a regular basis, they do it for a good cause!
Pin-Ups For Vets helps support hospitalized Veterans and deployed troops by producing WWII style pinup calendars, charity events and hospital visits. To date, they have donated over $50,000 worth of state of the art rehab equipment for VA and military hospitals nationwide and visited over 10,000 ill and injured veterans, many of whom don’t have friends or family nearby.
Images courtesy of @pinupsforvets
Before we get this retro-glamorous tour of LA going, let’s meet some of the amazing ladies involved with Pin-Up For Vets:
Meet the Girls
Gina
Founder
Gina: I founded Pin-Ups For Vets in 2006 as a unique way to give back to our Troops & Veterans. We ship morale-boosting care packages to deployed troops around the globe, do fun pin-up makeovers for military wives and female veterans and have worked with homeless Veteran shelters. I like to say that we are “making volunteering glamorous!
Gina (R) poses with Max Uiarte, a US Marine veteran. Image courtesy of Pin Ups for Vets.
Cici
US Army Veteran
Cici: An old friend who I serve with mentioned Pin-Ups for Vets. He figured since I was in the rockabilly scene, I would probably enjoy working with them. Shortly after a photographer friend of mine who happens to be a huge fan of the organization tagged me on the casting call post for the 2016 calendar. I was so stoked when I read it. Gina responded letting me know I would be in the calendar. That was the first of many memories with her and the other ladies. It truly is a beautiful organization that cares about giving back to those that have given it all.
Cici poses for a shot for the calendar. Image courtesy of Pin Ups for Vets.
Jacqlyn
Air Force Reserve Veteran
Jacqlyn: I got involved with Pin-Ups for Vets right after I left the Air Force Reserves this past January. I loved the mission behind the organization and wished to be part of something special that helps my fellow veterans. When the time came to submit for next year’s calendar I gave it a shot and sent in my bio. To my excitement, I was picked to be Miss April in the 2017 calendar. After meeting Gina and all the other volunteers, I had no doubt that this organization would be part of my life forever.
Image courtesy of @jaqi_cee
Simone
Army National Guard
Simone: In 2013 I made a New Year's resolution to start volunteering in my community, but after several months I had yet to commit to a cause or group. I just happened to see a friend post photos of Pin-Ups for Vets on Facebook and fell in love with their mission. I decided to give it a try and after seeing what a powerful impact we make on the Armed Services community, I knew I found where I belong. It's more than dress-up and entertainment, it's bringing cheer and appreciation to so many deserving individuals.
Image courtesy of @missmocatlady
Get the Look
Clothes
Gina: I like to go to Burbank because I can visit both Pinup Girl Boutique and Unique Vintage in one trip! They are very close to each other and both have awesome options that range from Hollywood glam to casual girl-next-door pin-up. So whether you want to channel your favorite screen siren, or if you want a vintage look for a more low-key event, you can definitely find affordable options in both boutiques. If you are on the Westside, My Baby Jo is a super cute and friendly neighborhood shop that also offers a great selection of pin-up attire.
Cici: One of my favorite shops is located in the Montebello Town Center—Pin Up Bootique. They have a wide selection ranging from dresses, skirts, shirts, sweaters, shoes to purses, and every type of accessory. There is also a boutique in Pomona, called Kitten's Kouture. It’s not really in LA, but worth the drive! If you can't find what you are looking for there, they will find it for you. It's a family owned place so you will always get a warm welcome. Just tell them "Rockin Lexie" sent you!
Outfit by Pinup Girl Boutique. Image courtesy of @pinupgirlboutique
Outfit by Unique Vintage. Image courtesy of @uniquevintage
Jacqlyn: Unique Vintage is a great vintage reproduction store with reasonable prices. They also offer some high tag merchandise, but it’s well worth it if you intend on going to a fancy event. Paper Moon Vintage is great to find real vintage. I usually buy accessories here because they are such good quality finds at great prices. Crossroads of the World is my ideal spot to hunt for vintage treasure. I have found a few items there that I absolutely adore and would definitely recommend for the pin-up girl on a budget.
Simone: Thrift stores. I get very lucky with thrift stores and since I am also a seamstress, I can alter secondhand clothing for fit and appearance. But sometimes I can't find the look I want in a thrift store, Voodoo Vixen (online) will definitely have it. Gotta Have It is a little pricier but you can find the more rare vintage pieces like gowns, bathing suits, hats, and even undergarments that are often harder to find in thrift stores.
Outfit by Paper Moon Vintage. Image courtesy of @duetvintage
Outfits by Voodoo Vixen. Image courtesy of @voodoovixenldn
Shoes
Gina: I love Pleaser USA for shoes! Their lines Pin-Up Couture and Bordello have some great options for vintage-inspired kicks. There is also a brand I recently found called Bait Footwear that has such cute shoes!
Cici: For shoes ... Amazon is still my favorite. Usually the pinup boutiques have a small selection in addition to being expensive. When I can't find something there I like to stop by Call It Spring, also in the Montebello Town Center, they have beautiful cork wedges that look fantastic with most pinup summer dresses.
The Pin Up collection by Pleaser USA. Image courtesy of @pleasershoes
Summer wedges by Call It Spring. Image courtesy of @callitspring
Jacqlyn: I personally shop online for reproduction and vintage shoes, I recommend: Modcloth– Always an excellent and eclectic spread of reproduction heels and modern flats. Pinup Girl Boutique in Burbank has heels and mules to die for! And Pretty Penny clothing in Oakland or on Etsy is great for strictly vintage shoes.
Simone: My eyes are always open when looking for shoes—in department stores, thrift stores, and shoe stores. Hope of the Valley Rescue Mission Thrift Store is a community thrift store with items that have been donated from the community, proceeds from the store help provide hygiene services, housing, food and clothing to those in need. It may not be fancy or trendy but there are a lot of hidden treasures if you have the patience to look. Buffalo Exchange is also a good place for shoes because they have a large variety at better quality. There are multiple Buffalo Exchange locations across LA too.
Image courtesy of @prettypennyclothing
Image courtesy of @hopeofthevalley
Hair and Makeup
Gina: I have been working with Ana Vergara of Classic Glamour Dolls for six years now. Her specialty is Hollywood Glamour and she is mobile, she comes to where you are! She’s a master of vintage hair and makeup.
Cici: For hair and makeup ideas I look at what my fellow Pinups are doing, I watch a lot of old movies too. As far as makeup goes Sephora is amazing! I love the Sephora and Stila brand lip stains because they last all day. And of course you will need wing liner. My favorite one is the tattoo liner by Kat Von D—lasts all day and it's easy to apply.
Hair and makeup by Classic Glamour Dolls. Image courtesy of @classicglamourdolls
Ana Vergara. Image courtesy of @cgd_bosslady
Jacqlyn: For my hair I go to the one and only His Vintage Touch. He is a hair magician and is so passionate about vintage style hair and his profession. He has even done hair for Dita Von Tease and my favorite pin-up, Miss Doris Mayday!
Simone: I use a lot of Pinterest tutorials and photos for hair and makeup looks. But if I need a professional I go to Ana Vergara.
@Ellie_Gonsalves, hair by His Vintage Touch, image courtesy of @hisvintagetouch
Hairspiration with Doris Mayday, image courtesy of @dorismayday
Get the Shot
Gina: I love shooting around LA! There are so many fabulous opportunities for vintage-style shots. I’m a big fan of classic cars. We have previously shot at the Petersen Automotive Museum in mid-city and the Automobile Driving Museum in El Segundo. There are also many people who privately own classic cars in LA. If you attend some of the car shows like the Shelby Show on the Santa Monica Pier or the Concours D’Elegance show in Palos Verdes, those are great places to start to meet classic car owners.
Cici: Union Square Station looks amazing behind the lens of the camera, it’s personally one of my favorites if you want to do a vintage shoot. DTLA offers some great historic buildings that can be used for that as well.
Look at that classic! Image courtesy of @petersenmuseum
Gasser exhibit at Automobile Driving Museum. Image courtesy of @theadmorg
Jacqlyn: Recently I did a pin-up photo shoot with Iconic Pinups. They offer reasonable prices and two vintage houses full of authentic sets. If you do not want to spend money on shoots, I would recommend taking a friend or a selfie stick to The Huntington Library, and botanical gardens. You cannot beat the scenery and the vintage picnic feel of the gardens!
Simone: I love natural settings like beaches, parks and gardens. There is also a few blocks in Long Beach called Retro Row on 4th street, though I haven’t been there in a long time, it’s a perfect backdrop.
Pin-up photography by Iconic Pinups. Image courtesy of @iconicpinups
Rose Garden at Huntington Library. Image courtesy of @thehuntingtonlibrary
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Alethea Cho AKA Lady Lovesblood is forever fascinated by the idea of getting to dress up for a good cause and is looking forward to the release of the 2017 Pin-Ups for Vets calendar so she can show off to others what these wonderful women have been working hard for. Follow her endeavours to find more amazing folks on Instagram @ladylovesblood or Twitter @horrorexplorers.
Featured image courtesy of Pin Ups for Vets
