PIN UP Style American Military Flag Girl Arm Patch

A pin-up girl is a retro, alluringly beautiful poster lady.

A pin-up girl, also known as a pin-up model, refers to images of attractive women printed on flyers, calendars, or other print media. These images often featured contemporary fashion models or famous actresses, like Marilyn Monroe and Betty Grable, who were popular sex symbols of their time. These prints were mass-produced and easily accessible, often pinned up on walls for appreciation, hence the name "pin-up." Pin-up can also refer to the style of these illustrations, which dates back to the 1890s, traditionally drawn in pencil and typically depicting women in swimsuits or lingerie, boldly exposing their bodies.

During World War II, American soldiers, battling by day and lonely for their sweethearts by night, would pin up these sexy poster girls in their lockers as a way to alleviate homesickness. For instance, images of the famous actress Betty Grable were a staple in many American soldiers' lockers. The women in these photos were often characterized by their sex appeal and became symbols of "beautiful women." Over time, the term pin-up girl was shortened to "pin-up" or "pinup," now commonly known as a cover girl.

By the 1960s, the commercialization of pin-ups reached its peak. However, with the increasing liberalization of sexual attitudes, the pin-up culture gradually became associated with vulgarity, losing the charming elegance of the earlier black and white film heroines.

Today, pin-ups are still regarded as a part of popular culture, a form of mass art meticulously depicting the figures and attire of models.