How To Do Pin Up Passion With Taschen!

If you’ve never come across Taschen (the Cologne-based publisher), you’ve definitely been missing out! Along with slightly more risqué themes, Taschen also publish fabulous books about art, photography, interior design and fashion, as well as a host of other tantalising subjects. Benedikt Taschen, the brain child behind the company, started selling his own drawings in Cologne as a mere nine year old; since then the publisher’s name has become synonymous with iconic celebrities and imagery.

More Than Meets The Eye

Taschen’s passion for the more than occasional bit of naked skin isn’t an indication for a need to expose tasteless porn, rather it is a celebration of cult photography, art – and a little open-mindedness! Not so long ago I was delighted to receive the Gil Elvgren Taschen Pin Up book as a gift: hailed as ‘the best pin-up artist in the history of American illustration’, Elvgren’s fascinating and exciting illustrations go much further than what initially meets the eye. Playful innuendos, stories, fashion and of course lingerie all contribute to making these some of the most adorably mesmerising pictures.

Dressing Up

For those who love to dress up and pose, the recent increase in exposure of the pin-up trend will have been welcomed with open arms. We love to see pages like Rebel Pin Up with their daily dose of pin-up, submitted by those with a passion for dressing up. For those who love the images but have never had the courage or resources to hand, now is your chance to seize the opportunity to shine!

How To Do Pin Up

Contrary to belief, dressing for pin up isn’t all about finding the sexiest or most revealing lingerie. In fact, it’s much more about confidence, fun and a bit of cheekiness! Often it’s the most alluring images that show the least amount – our imaginations do the rest.
Naturally the grass is always greener on the other side: while today’s society has a tendency to promote a more androgynous figure, the iconic pin-up figure is generally of the more voluptuous variety. The latter day obsession with airbrushing out curves appears to have been the reverse in the days of Elvgren, who was far more likely to favour brushing in additional curves – pictures can be made ‘perfect’ whatever the trend. My point is: don’t worry about what you don’t have, go with what you’ve got and feel good about yourself – loving yourself is the key to looking fabulous!

What To Wear?

In the ‘good old days’ stockings weren’t just something you wore to flirt with your beau, however they still had that je ne sais quoi, and the cheeky glimpse of the top of said hosiery was certainly part of a pin-up’s allure. I remember way back trying to find ‘nylon stockings’ and ‘retro lingerie’ with my newly acquired internet skills (yes, that long ago); as I waded my way through some rather unsavoury items, both online and in second hand shops, I only ever came across items that were way out of my price range and that needed some serious attention. Luckily we now live in a marvellous world where labels and stores such as Kiss Me Deadly, What Katie Did, Lulu and Lush and
For Luna fulfil our need for adorable, retro-style lingerie, hosiery and swimwear.

For the rest you just need your imagination, and by that I don’t mean to sound rude: however what is our favourite pin-up might not be yours! Force yourself to be something you’re not and, unless you’re blessed with supermodel adaptability, you’re not going to feel comfortable. Find your fave and have a look through your wardrobe, you’ll be surprised what you can find and even adapt for your chosen pin-up look! And if you need more inspiration, check out Gil Elvgren’s Taschen Pin Up Book!

Where To Buy!

For those who need help finding retro-style lingerie and accessories, here are our online favourites for the pin up look:

Kiss Me Deadly (for retro-style shapewear and French-manufactured nylon and silk stockings)
FairyGothMother/Lulu and Lush (for corsets and clothing)
Modern Courtesan@Glam Am (for tasteful costumes)
Pandora’s Choice (for retro-style lingerie, girdles and knickers)
Stop Staring (Fabulous Dresses and outfits)
What Katie Did (for bullet bras, corsets, bloomers and frilly knickers)
Ayten Gasson (for glamorously cute, silk teddies and nightdresses)
Funn Hosiery@Last (for a colourful selection of gorgeous and originally-manufactured silk, wool and cotton stockings)
For Luna (Fabulous, retro-style swimwear)