The pin-up styles of the 50s are getting a modern twist

The style of the 1950s was all about celebrating the female form, having confidence and taking pride in your appearance.

The drab colours and workaday clothes of the war-torn 40s were forgotten in an explosion of bright colours and excesses of fabric, complete with petticoats or bobby socks, perfectly groomed hair and dramatic make-up.

And while the 50s are long gone, styles from the era is very much here to stay, with younger generations keen to create their own versions of the fun fashions.

Tash Farrar is one of those youngsters; she may only be 37 but the make-up artist from Hairspray or Die says the 50s pin-up is her favourite look. Hairspray or Die is Farrar’s travelling stylist service based on the Sunshine Coast, that’ll visit your home or another location to transform you into a pin-up girl for a photo shoot, special occasion or just for a special treat.

Farrar said she discovered the pin-up style as a young girl; coming from an air force and army family, she’d seen pin-up pictures painted on the sides of planes. As she got older and found an interest in tattoos, she discovered more of the style in tattoo magazines and at tattoo shows.

“But it was in 2010 when I had my first taste of trying pin-up myself,” Farrar told Starts at 60. “I bought a ticket to a hairstyling and posing workshop by Boogie Pop Dames as part of a tattoo convention on the Gold Coast … I was feeling self-conscious at the time and wanted to feel beautiful, so I forced myself to go along and it was life changing.”

Having a lot of tattoos, Tash said she had often felt judged by others.

“Going along to the workshop I was surrounded by other beautiful tattooed women and began to feel like I was part of a community.”

Although she didn’t own any pin-up fashion when she attended the workshop, that quickly changed.

“I scoured the op shops and looked for things like wiggle dresses, capris pants and circle skirts,” she said.

Farrar also discovered the many stores selling designer pin-up fashions, with lots more to be found on eBay.

She found that petticoats created the hourglass shape that epitomises the pin-up look, and Tash said colourful cardigans were also one of her staples, with the added bonus that they flattered the arms.

For Farrar, though, the style is more than the fashion, with the hair and make-up an important part of the look.

“You can wear pinup make-up with normal hair and will look like a beautiful woman, but when you add that amazing hair-do is when you really transform,” she reckoned,.

Farrar completed a make-up diploma in 2015 and was lucky to find a dream opportunity working as a pin-up hair and make-up assistant.

“I worked for the most amazing woman, Nicole Farelley at Avenging Angel Industries and she really took me under her wing,” she recalled of the Brisbane-based pin-up styling company,

Farrar said Farelley did not just teach her the many tricks of the trade, she also gave her the confidence to believe in herself, which prompted her refocus her own make-up artistry business on pin-up looks.

Now, she said she loved being able to empower women to own their beauty.

“Niche-ing down into pin-up has brought me so much happiness and the women I work with are the most fun-loving, supportive community I have ever been part of,” Farrar told Starts at 60. “I made the right decision.”

Tash’s tips for perfect pin-up style

1. Hair is number one, without a doubt. There is nothing like a vintage hairstyle for getting the look.
2. Next is the red lips. Those kissable lips are a must have.
3. Third is the cat-wing liner. It’s a skill to master, but it’s a classic look so don’t give up.
4. Fourth is the circle skirts and dresses. A circle skirt and petticoat is the most flattering outfit a woman can wear. If you haven’t tried it yet, get out there and do it A.S.A.P!
5. Fifth would be the brooches – it took me a while to get into brooches but they add so much personality to your outfit.

What is your favourite fashion piece from the 50s? What would be your top tip for getting the look?