How to Design a Pinup Girl Tattoo

Pinup girl tattoos have long been popular choices, especially for the guys going off to fight for their country. Many of the famous 1950s style pinup girls are tame compared to the more revealing versions of modern day. Whichever version you prefer, the pinup girl tattoo is a classic choice.

Instructions

1. Decide if you want a New School or Old School pinup girl. Although the concept of pinups is very old school, an Old School pinup tends to be blocky, flat and rather cartoonish; whereas New School tattoos are more realistic in style.

2. Determine if you want her completely naked, partially nude or fully clothed. Partially nude pinup girl tattoos are generally clothed from the waist down, and her breasts are usually always bare. Clothed pinups tend to still have a lot of flesh showing and her nipples are often erect to add to her sex appeal.

3. Choose someone famous for your pinup design. Bettie Page is one of the most famous pinup models rendered many times in the tattoo world. Other popular choices are Betty Grable or a bustier Betty Boop.

4. Select a theme such as an alluring mermaid, she-devil, warrior princess or angel. Some less fantasy-oriented themes are scantily clad women dressed as nurses, cowgirls, soldiers, hula girls or geishas.

5. Pick a pose for your pinup girl tattoo. Grable's famous rear view, looking over the shoulder pose is a popular choice, while others prefer a full frontal view or a pinup sprawling sexily across the inside of an arm. You can also choose props, such as cards, dice, lucky 7s or alcoholic beverages (these are common for theme's like Lady Luck or Man's Ruin).

6. Stick your pinup girl tattoo in a good place. In the past, popular placements included the biceps where the bearer could make the girl dance by flexing, or the forearm. Now, if you need to keep the tattoo covered for work, you may want to consider placing it in a less conspicuous area. If she's fully nude, you might also want to be able to cover it when in mixed company.

Tips & Warnings

• Sailor Jerry's tattoo designs are some of the most famous and sought after style of Old School pinup girls.

• Not everyone will appreciate your choice of tattoo designs. Even pinup girl tattoos considered not explicit or extremely tame, may be offensive or seem inappropriate to some people.