It Takes Courage

Courage is defined as having a quality of mind or spirit that enables a person to face difficulty, danger, pain without fear and with bravery.
I'm sure that most people would agree that they have had times in their life when they needed to find that courage in themselves to face something or try something.
Now Courage may seem as an over exaggeration in terms of what I am talking about but I believe that it does. To be a Pinup and to wear pinup I see takes courage and takes a step of bravery.
Society as a norm prefers people to wear clothes that are seen as fashionable or 'in' and to wear something that is away from that can be a step of courage and face many things.
I think that is why I took a bit longer to really decide that this was the style that I wanted to wear and  actually commit myself to it.
Some of the obstacles that I felt was that I was too old. Now it can be said that you should wear what you like at any age but there was a voice in my head, that I suspect that was from my Grandma that says - 'Don't be mutton dressed up as lamb'. That took a while to face and see that it was my choice and if I wore it with confidence that any style could be my own.
Another obstacle was of course not knowing where to start. Who do Iask? What do I do? Joining Instagram and some Facebook groups was a godsend. I again drew on Courage and wrote to ladies and asked. I followed them on social media, looked up brands of Pinup clothing and jumped in. I started purchasing a few things and then that gave me more Courage and I then I too felt that I could post some photos of myself and wear Pinup more often.
The last obstacle was cost. Now its not usually the 'done' thing to discuss money but it is a reality and it is something that we all face in some form of another. The Courage I used here was to not always purchase new. Buying a pre loved item is ok, its is no problem and it is quite often the only way that you can actually get some items that are not produced or now considered Vintage. There is a thought that buying something that is not new to yourslef is tacky, ill considered and a touch common. I disagree with all these thoughts. I have purchsed some beautiful things and non of them have had issues. An item that I purcashed pre loved is gloves. I have gathered vintage gloves from many sources such as Ebay, Gumtree, Garage Sales and Pre loved shops. All the gloves I feel are a part of histroy and a sign of times gone past. I wear them with pride.
Did you need Courage to wear Pinup. Have you needed it another part of your life?

Interview with Colour Me Bristol

My Pinup journey started a year and half ago and was sealed once I joined Instagram and was able to see the world of Pinup open up to me. Having always loved to look well dressed I now saw other ladies dress and co ordinate outfits of my dreams. 

One of the first ladies I came a cross was Colour Me Bristol. I was mesmerised by her wearing of colour and beautiful outfits combined with fabulous accessories. I was lucky enough to have her say yes to my request of an interview and learn even more about her style and Pinup journey. 

1. What drew you to the Pin up style in the beginning?

I always loved the 1950's clothing style, ever since I was young. I was raised by parents who collect antiques, and my dad almost always had a Cadillac from the 50's, too; so, I grew up with a strong appreciation for that time period. 

I never dressed "normally". I was always drawn to bright colors and prints. 

But, what pushed me into the more "pin up look" was when I started shopping at Modcloth. Modcloth has a Style Gallery, where girls can post pictures of their outfits if they chose to, and some of the girls had links to their blogs. I started reading fashion blogs, and seeing how lovely full skirts looked on these girls who wore them in their blog posts. I found out what other websites they were buying their clothing, shoes, and accessories from, and started browising those sites, and falling more in love with the look, and I haven't looked back since! It's been three and a half years now since I discovered Modcloth. I don't shop there that much anymore, as I discovered shops I love even more. My favorite brands of clothing are: Trashy Diva, Bernie Dexter, Retrospec'd, and Pin Up Girl Clothing. 

2. Do you have a particular pin up look that you prefer?

The look I prefer for myself is: full skirts in either skirt or dress form (I only own one wiggle), red lips, winged liquid black eyeliner, bright colors, lots of jewelry, & fun novelty prints! 

3. What outfit is the one that you wear more often and why?

Hmm...well, I definitely wear dresses more than I wear skirts. The dress I wear the most would have to be my Trashy Diva Annette Sci Fi Rockets dress. I searched for that dress for about a year and a half, before a lovely lady sold it to me! It hasn't been made in years. Luckily, it fit me perfectly, and I wear it A LOT. I wear it to work occassionally, too.

4. Who do you see as pin up icons and style setters?

I don't really have a particular pin up icon or style setter I look up to the most. I get ideas from all sorts of women, but mostly from my online friends who blog and post on Instagram. Those women are to me the best style setters. 

5. Do you think the pin up community has been brought closer by Instagram, FB and blogs?

ABSOLUTELY!! If I never found out about this community online, I may never have found out about it, period! I am from a very rural area, and no one dresses pin up in this area. I can't imagine never having found out about this way of life and style. It feels so completly "me"! 

6. How do we find you and follow you online?

I have a blog: colourmebristol.blogspot.com

My Instagram handle is: bristolelisabeth