Replies to This Discussion

Permalink Reply by Desilu on August 14, 2012 at 10:49pm

Hmmm... Well, because I am petite, I have the same types of issues that you do, although my bum and hips are bigger than the modern retailers sizes (childbirth spread, which was added to by being overweight, but now that I've lost almost all of it on that area, I'm still 42"! - which will never change, and I actually like because it gives me the coke bottle shape I like!). And I've always been into vintage clothing and pretty much vintage everything, I just didn't know that people would dress in PUG Style in real life. It wasn't until I started working my current job, where the cosmetics lead is a rockabilly girl (and a beautiful PUG type) who rocked it in her own way at work, without criticism or commentary from anyone else. So I started adding a little bit of vintage touches to my own look (which is hampered by having to wear either black or khaki bottoms, and black or white or b/w patterned tops/dresses) with hair and make-up. It wasn't until I joined this site that I decided to full on PUG at work and in life. It has opened up a whole new world for me - I receive so many compliments from co-workers, bosses, and customers than I ever did before. On the other hand, I have had quite a large split from my mother... I have finally realized where it came from. When I was younger, she felt (very openly) that my younger sister was the "pretty" one in our family (she was tall, skinny, blonde haired & green eyed, where I was short, heavier, and redheaded & blue eyed). With that in mind, her perception of what is PUG is my sister, not me. I think there is also a definite jealousy issue for her personally as well (I was an accidental pregnancy which "forced" her into marrying the wrong man, and I am a reminder that she lost the love of her life (of whom I am his daughter... lol, I know, it's hard for me to keep straight too). Needless to say, I am a constant reminder of things she'd rather not remember, and also am not her vision of what is PUG. It is the help and advice from this site, the comments and support of friends (one who's mother loves me like her own, and I can photo text for a quick "is this ok?") that I have finally REALLY gotten comfortable with this look. It celebrates being feminine in a demure way (even if it's low-cut) without compromising the modern beliefs I have. It celebrates my curves and makes me look damn good. And to think, it's all because I would drool of PUGC's website and FB posts... (which I still do regularly). Not to mention that I have developed a new love - blogging about this style!!

• ▶ Reply

Permalink Reply by Victoria on August 15, 2012 at 12:24am

I have an obsession with the fashion from the 50's and pin up girls. Even when I was a little girl I never identified with the "in style" fashion. When I graduated college I started buying the vintage reproductions, its the only fashion that is feel is made for curvy girls. It has taken me 26 years to love my body, and when I wear my PUG clothes I feel sexy, confident, and like a lady. I have always had an old soul, so old in fact my entire wedding is 50's themed my bridesmaids are wearing vintage swing dresses, my wedding gown is a vintage reproduction.

• ▶ Reply

Permalink Reply by Miss Lei on August 15, 2012 at 5:16pm

I've always ADORED Marilyn Monroe. and I do mean A.D.O.R.E. lol but when I started watching her movies, I fell IN LOVE with the makeup and the clothes and the HAIR omg the hair was awesome. About 2 years ago I got my first CD of her and and an Imelda May CD, and those CD's would put me in the sexiest/pin up girl mood. I decided that whenever I got married, I wanted a 50's style wedding [which did come to pass lol I got married July 15th, 2012] I started doing pinup makeup and all types of vintage styles and pin curl sets [which I now specialize in as a hairstylist, and hope to open my own Vintage salon in the future] I even did my own hair and makeup for my wedding as well as my bridesmaids [all but 2 of them lol]

It's honestly the way I FINALLY feel comfy with myself

• ▶ Reply

Permalink Reply by Samantha Hufford on August 15, 2012 at 6:58pm

I learned about PUG by chance when I was looking for a dress to wear for when my hubby came home from overseas. I have been in love with their clothes ever since :) Sadly, I can't wear PUG everyday as I work with 1-2 year olds and am usually covered in paint, markers, soap, etc within the first hour of arriving at work. On the weekends I wear my dresses though and I feel awesome in them.

I have a hard time finding clothes I like and that fit me in retail stores so this is definitely my favorite place to shop. I haven't tried any of the separates yet as I am nervous about my hip measurements not fitting a whole lot at 50'.

• ▶ Reply

Permalink Reply by Samantha Hufford on August 16, 2012 at 4:26am

Thanks for the info, I'll have to try one of the pencil skirts next time :)

• ▶ Reply

Permalink Reply by CK on August 15, 2012 at 11:06pm

I don't really label my look cos it's all over the place but I wear what suits me and it just so happens that more vintage styles suit me. I found this out about 5 years ago in my mid 20s. I used to find it so hard to find skirts and dresses long enough because I'm tall but slim, so things that fit in the waist were usually too short and things that were long enough were way too big everywhere else (it's such a myth that high street clothes are cut to fit 'runway models' -if you're over 5'9 and xs or s everything is too short in the arms, too short in general, too big in the bust etc. I really don't think high street clothes are cut to fit anyone well) ... I used to wear maxi dresses but they are too hard to find long enough for me too and sit at the wrong place above my ankle. The stuff I gravitated towards therefore was 40s/50s looking but it wasn't a conscious decision. I then realised if I consciously looked for stuff of that era I might have some luck and bought my first PUG item in 2010. I also have a lot of Bettie Page, Collectif, Hell Bunny, heartbreaker and thrift store stuff.

I haven't bought in a mall for a few years. I have read a bit about 'fast fashion' and Laura talks about it a bit. It seems that bad cut, less fabric are much cheaper to produce so that's why the fit can be bad. In addition to actually fitting well, vintage repro brands give me curves I don't have, which I love.

If you want to start introducing the look into your everyday style, maybe start off with some subtle items from the Laura Byrnes black label line. The silhouettes are very true to the era but the fabrics and colours are so versatile that you can work them into any modern wardrobe too...Oh, and a whole heap of the LB dresses are on sale atm too!

• ▶ Reply

Permalink Reply by Amber on August 17, 2012 at 7:17pm

I've always said I was born in the wrong era.  I love fashions from other decades - most notably the 20's and 50's.  About 2 years ago I got into "Mad Men" and that was it.  I started seeking out vintage and vintage reproduction clothing.  My body type (curvy, hourglass) is very well suited to the styles of the 50's.  I don't wear the PUG style every day (I couldn't afford it and it isn't always work appropriate) but I do try to incorporate PUG style clothing when I go out.  I've gotten nothing but positive feedback from it.   

• ▶ Reply

Permalink Reply by Jenn Bailey on August 19, 2012 at 11:41am

Amber, your story sounds similar to mine! I'm thankful for "Mad Men", because it definitely helps make a vintage style more acceptable. I was at the mall today with my Aeroplane Bag from PC and several people stopped me to tell me they loved the bag...and then they asked if I watch "Mad Men." I get butterflies when I see vintage fashion in pictures or movies. It's just so beautiful.

I also started seeking vintage repro because of my body type. My measurements are 36-26-36, aka a true hourglass. No matter how many times my skinny mom and sister would tell me my hourglass figure was gorgeous, I wouldn't believe them because I couldn't find clothes that fit. If a dress fits my hips and chest, it's too loose in the waist. If a dress fits my waist, my breasts are popping out or I can't pull it over my hips.

It's hard to have a positive self-image when modern clothes tend toward the straight and slender. I realized that it was "back in the day" that this womanly figure was actually admired, so I'd probably be able to find clothes that fit if I went back in time. I found Modcloth first, but thought most of the clothes were a little cheap-y. Luckily, Pinup Couture is on the site, and I wanted to see more, then ta-da! PUG clothing <3

• ▶ Reply

Permalink Reply by Rachel G on August 19, 2012 at 2:08pm

Its kind of hard to remember because the evolution felt so natural in a way.. I guess it would have to be from my Dad. Probably a funny answer for a girl to give regarding fashion, so let me explain :) he got me into art in general, when I was a kid.. and I started drawing. As I got older, he got me into "lowbrow" art. While doing this, he went through several classic cars.. hes a big car guy. He also has a love for antiques and older movies. So, growing up around this art, these cars, his respect for antiques, it always stuck with me. And when I became old enough to start caring about my appearance, I was just drawn to that style automatically. From lowbrow art came my interest in tattoos, so I imagine I starting picking up on some of that style sifting through old tattoo mags too. I guess thats why it felt natural to me. :)

• ▶ Reply

Permalink Reply by Jen Robinson on August 20, 2012 at 9:31am

I've been into vintage style for a long time. Back in the '80's I started collecting vintage clothing and wearing it - mostly because I'm a fan of old movies and that's what they used to show on AMC, plus my mom had saved a bunch of clothing that she wore in the '50's and I fit in it. Anyway, I started by wearing vintage clothing in middle school, sometimes as the whole outfit and sometimes just one piece that fit in with the rest of my modern wardrobe. Like many women, I have a curvy figure, with a waist that is about 12" smaller than my hips and that makes it difficult to find modern clothing that fits. I've found that PUG and other companies which produce vintage-style clothing fit that sort of a figure much better.

That said, I should mention that all my PUG clothing at this point are dresses and they're summer dresses, which makes it difficult to incorporate them into a fall/winter wardrobe. So I'm looking at more cool-weather clothing to supplement what I have. Since I sew, I often make my clothing. There are several indie pattern companies which make vintage style patterns in modern sizes: Colette Patterns, Victory Patterns and Hot Patterns are 3 that I can think of. Hot Patterns is more for intermediate-advanced sewers, but Colette Patterns and Victory Patterns have things for beginners. Colette Patterns even has a book that comes with several patterns and is handy for beginning sewers. I think this is a great way to add a vintage look to your wardrobe, as well as find things that fit you well.

• ▶ Reply