SD Investigates: The Allure of Pinups

This week I’ve fallen in love with vintage artwork showcasing beautiful pinup women from the early 40′s and 50′s. In research of these sexilicious works, I began to wonder about what made so them attractive to loyal readers.

Here’s what I discovered…

Body Language

Poses and Position

Pinup poses are the epitome of sexy body language. They are famous for their arched backs, raised breastbones, and ever so sultry butt pooch. Feel a little tickled while studying these poses? Well it may be because many of these poses simulate common sex positions. Pinups are also often caught in compromising situations that reveal a glimmer of thighs or sexy under garments.

“Phantom Limbs”
One of the more interesting concepts I’ve come across is “phantom limbs.” Many artists place women in positions where only one arm or leg is showing. Though it may be influenced by perspective of the drawing, I think it has to deal with the overall silhouette of the pinup. Had the limb remained, the curviness of the pinup wouldn’t be as distinct.

Facial Expression

Images courtesy of Flickr
Whether its playful innocence or simulating sexual arousal, the expressions painted on these sinfully sexies hold the viewers attention. Pinups are often portrayed through their facial expressions as very fun, playful women, comfortable in their sexiness. Furrowing the eyebrows and showing the whites of the eyes communicates submissiveness to men. Pouty and parted lips make the knees of men buckle, while anything simulating oral sex can well…you figure it out haha..

Sexy Clothes
Pinups obviously wear revealing clothes, however, these clothes are painted to innocently reveal erotic areas as though by mistake or circumstance. Straps seductively fall off shoulders, showing a glimmer of breast, or dress skirts get caught, revealing lacey thigh high stockings.

Curvy Women

Famous for their sultry curves, pinups are often fleshy in the legs region, with full perky breasts. Portraying anything with “a little more flesh” could very well simulate the swelling of erogenous zones during arousal.

Proportion and Color

Proportion
Artists like Peter Driben, are famous for drawing emphasis to long legs in their work. If you notice, the legs are very voluminous, but the feet and hands are rather small in proportion. The popular hourglass figure derived from this era, with emphasis on broad shoulders, a tiny waist, and wide hips. Wide hips are associated with maturity and the ability to bear children.
Color
Peter Driben is famous for his bold vibrant colors used in his famous pinup works. These colors help to stimulate viewer with bright shades of red, yellow, and orange. Colors are very impacting on viewers, for instance, red can stimulate increased blood flow and increased blood flow is ALWAYS good..if you know what I mean, haha..

Fetishes

Pinups also play towards the common fetishes of many men. Though the women modeling may appear dainty and innocent, the reveal of their sexy lace black underwear sends the minds of men going. And their seating position doesn’t help either, often sitting with their legs up high, the viewer (who is at a lower perspective) is teased with the idea of getting a peek of the delicate details of the butt or vulva which are covered by material or the lower leg.

Resources

Titillated by these buxom vixens? Check out these resources for more on the history of pinups and be sure to subscribe!

• The History of Pinups
• Pin Up Girl – Wikipedia
• Peter Driben Pinup Art – Flickr
• The Definitive Book of Body Language

In order to start to truly understand future Hump Day posts, I must first take you back to the beginning where naughty subliminal messages are first introduced into our lives…childhood.

Naughty Nursery Rhymes

In the rush of sugar induced enthusiasm, many children are less aware of the possible multiple meanings behind words they jubilantly rejoice. However, through the process of repetition upon the subconscious, the meanings behind the words, songs, and other messages you are surrounded by become more impacting on our lives.

Much like the argument over sex in popular music videos, some nursery rhymes can be seen as an early introduction to the world of sex. As adults, puns or other plays on words can be deliberately meant to convey forth a message regarding sex for the purpose of arousal.
Though nursery rhymes have adopted an association to innocence, can these plays on words subconsciously affect the future views and actions of children?

Decide for yourself…

As I was going to St. Ives

As I was going to St. Ives,
I met a man with seven wives.
Each wife had seven sacks,
Each sack had seven cats,
Each cat had seven kits.
Kits, cats, sacks, and wives,
How many were going to St. Ives?

This nursery rhyme is actually a riddle meant to be used to find out how many people were going to St. Ives (can you figure out the riddle?).
Highlighted in bold is “I met a man with seven wives.” One man having multiple wives is often concluded as a polygamist relationship. The husband is also involved in sexual relationships with each individual spouse at one time.

I often wonder if people have just simply accepted that nursery rhymes derived from lifestyles the majority of the world no longer lives by. However, many still engage in polygamist relationships, and does the teaching of nursery rhymes or story tales influence the acceptance of polygamy or multiple sexual partners? Or should it just be regarded as harmless, fun, activity?

(I don’t personally have any answers, just questions for discussion…)

The Cock Doth Crow

The cock doth crow
To let you know,
If you be wise,
Tis time to rise.

A more obvious play on words for the naughty minded ( ), this nursery rhyme can be twisted to have meaning about erections. Parodying the common relationship, men may often feel that the only way their partner is going to engage in sexual activity is if they “behave” or in this case, “be wise.”

As far as the symbolism for the Cock (penis) crowing, I take this more as the early moments of flirtation or foreplay when the man becomes less flaccid and slightly erect as a sign of arousal.
This could be seen as a sign to the guy that because he is obviously aroused and ready for sex, he better be wise in his actions so that he can experience the full erection (“tis time to rise”) and, of course, have sex..

Wow..that was a mouthful..haha (no pun intended *wink, wink*)

I Love Little Pussy

I love little pussy,
Her coat is so warm,
And if I don’t hurt her,
She’ll do me no harm.
So I’ll not pull her tail,
Nor drive her away,
But pussy and I,
Very gently will play.

This one definitely makes me chuckle…I envision men first reading the title and saying to themselves “don’t we all?”
This rhyme first appeared back in 1830 to teach children how to take care of their pets. However, I find it as the perfect nursery rhyme to demonstrate how to ensure that men get to keep [the pussy].

Considering that this originated before the time of bikini waxes, the “pussy’s coat” can be easily associated as the woman’s pubic hair.
And if you’re sure to treat the pussy right (“So I’ll not pull her tail, nor driver her away”), than “Pussy and I, very gently will play…”

And we all know what “playing” entails…

Nursery Rhymes: An early intro to sex?

So the question is, does naughty nursery rhymes introduce children early to sex, and if so, is there a problem with the message delivered?

The world may never know…but feel free to leave your opinion!

Resources

• A Collection of Mother Goose Nursery Rhymes
• Polygamy – Wikipedia

Today is the official launch of sexidesign.com by enthused blogger, Melody Nieves. SexiDesign.com is devoted to articles reporting on the influence of sex in design and marketing. Showcasing sexy art and inspiration from varied industries. this site gives a voice to areas and topics of design normally untouched.

What Is Sexi Design?

Sexi Design (sěk’sĭ dĭ-zīn’)

-[slang for] a composition of elements in art tending to arouse sexual desire or interest.

“Sexi” design can be found in many forms, from subtle, perhaps subliminal messages, to very blatant sexually explicit language or images.
Sexidesign.com is NOT a pornographic website. I adopt much of the same philosophy as Playboy, therefore, though there will be an abundance of “mature content” (nudity/adult language) on this site, none of which will consist of sexually explicit material (porno movie-like imagery).

Preview of Topics at SexiDesign.com

Here’s a preview of some of the sexy topics to appear on the site:

Sexy Bedroom Costumes
1. Sexy Site Designs
2. The Life and Artwork of Frida Kahlo

The Author: Melody

The chick responsible for these titiilating reports is yours truly, Melody. I wanted to start this site because I love discussion about all topics, but often find myself unable to truly explore some of the more controversial subjects.
This site becomes an avenue where I can open discussion about the major role sex plays in making the world of marketing and design go round.

Now don’t get me wrong, in no way am I a feminist. There won’t be posts dedicated to bashing scantily clad women in ads, or anything related.

I ultimately aim to analyze the underlying reasons why sex = sales, simply as a marketing enthusiast. I’m an artist, I appreciate the human form and its beauty, and I’m not shy when talking about it.

Connect With Melody

Feel free to join me in this enticing subject by adding me to the following networks, and leaving comments below:

• Twitter
• Facebook
• Twitter
• Myspace
• YouTube