Long before wallpaper on our computers and smartphones, American culture had its own kind of glamour on the wall: pinup girls. Think circle skirts, victory rolls, bright red lipstick and the playful confidence of stars like Bette Davis and Marilyn Monroe. These were the women whose photographs soldiers tucked into their lockers and pinned above their bunks during the 1940s and ’50s as reminders of beauty and hope back home.That era may be decades behind us, but in Montrose, it’s experiencing a revival through a spirited group of women called the Darling Dames.  

April Heard, 54, leans into the playful confidence of pinup style. Photo courtesy of April Heard.

 The group was founded in 2018 by Michelle Terry, its longtime president. After moving to Colorado from Salt Lake City, she missed the club she belonged to back home, so she started one in Montrose. “I’ve been a dame now for almost 12 years,” Terry said. The Darling Dames have eight active members, ranging in age from 20 to 69. Terry said the group’s focus goes beyond the outfits, blending friendship with community involvement.

 PINUP POLISH
The oldest Dame, Saundra January, 69, of Delta, joined after being invited to take part in “Dames for an Evening,” an event the group hosts once or twice a year. For a small fee, women receive a full pinup-style transformation. The Dames provide the wardrobe, hair and makeup, then take photos and send them to participants.

Saundra January, 69, shows off one of her favorite pinup outfits that matched the truck. Photo courtesy of Saundra January

 A former cosmetologist, January is no stranger to dressing up with full hair and makeup. Still, as a shy person, she said the experience gave her a boost of confidence.“It was exhilarating,” said January. “They dressed me up and put the false eyelashes on me and did my hair. I got pictures and my whole family went crazy over them.”

 January’s favorite outfit is a green dress with black polka dots and a feather hat. She also likes a black dress with red roses and a yellow dress with a petticoat. “I have a hard time picking what to wear,” she said. “I have 20 or 25 dresses and it’s so hard to choose—I like them all.”

 For Tracy Beer, 55, the style is less about sticking to one era and more about having fun with it. She said her outfits are inspired by burlesque looks and renaissance fairs. One of her favorite accessories is a pair of cherry earrings. She also likes wearing corsets and has a pink and white polka dot dress she loves.

The Darling Dames pose for festive holiday photos. Photo courtesy of Michelle Terry.

 “In my everyday life, I don’t do full-on hair and makeup—I’m not that kind of girl,” Beer said. “But when I do pinup, I put my petticoat on and I get to be sassy and I feel beautiful.”Beer joined after years of accompanying her daughter, Samantha, 20, the group’s youngest member.

The Dames participate in local car shows and festivals, often hosting or taking part in pinup contests. “It’s kind of like a beauty contest,” Beer said. “People come dressed up—from little kids to older ladies—and have a panel of other people in the community that pick the best pinup girls.”

 January said it’s rewarding to take part in contests alongside younger women. “There’s such a good feeling inside to know that I can still compete with these younger girls at pin-up contests,” said January. “I haven’t won yet, but I have placed.”

The Dames pose together for a photo that captures the spirit behind the group: have fun and lift each other up. Photo courtesy of Michelle Terry. 

 April Heard, 54, finds many of her outfits at thrift stores and vintage shops. One of her favorite pieces in her closet is a flapper dress. “I also like the style with the high-waisted shorts and cute tops that were kind of frilly,” Heard said. Heard said the group’s photo shoots help keep it playful, with members coming up with themes and hunting for outfits to match.“The way we dress attracts attention for sure,” Heard said. “We do a lot of photo shoots and come up with crazy themes and we’ll hunt for outfits. We try to come up with those things that kind of makes it fun.”

One of her favorite shoots was a devil and angel theme in the snow. Heard said she wore a black dress and made huge wings by hand. For horns, she said she duct-taped deer antlers to a headband. “It’s kind of like you’ve stepped outside your box and you’re able to blossom and grow more as a person,” Heard said. “The older you get, you start getting the stigmas about, ‘Oh my God, I’m getting wrinkles.’ But then when you doll yourself up, it’s like a whole different personality comes out. You start to think, ‘Why am I so hard on myself? I’m beautiful.’”

 GLAMOUR MEETS GIVING
The Dames may dress in looks inspired by decades past, but their role in the community is thoroughly modern. In the group’s early years, Terry said the Dames donated about $10,000 a year to local causes. As membership has fluctuated, they have continued giving, contributing about $5,000 a year in recent years to causes including cancer awareness, suicide prevention and Welcome Home Alliance for Veterans. They also host a Christmas bake sale that raises funds for families in need.

The Dames stay busy year-round. Each spring, they host an Easter festival at Buckley Park. In the fall, the Dames trade pinup looks for witch hats for their biggest annual event, Witches Night Out at the Montrose Amphitheater. “It’s all about community, friendship and sisterhood,” Terry said. “When you do a club like this, you really do bond with the other women.”

 When members face illness or hardship, the Dames rally around them. Beer said that support is what keeps her coming back. “I love the sisterhood and just being able to be myself,” said Beer. “It’s a support system that women need. We empower women to have a great time and just to enjoy being a woman.”

 January said the group wants women to leave feeling good about themselves. “Women are beautiful creatures,” said January. “We try to lift them up and let them know you're perfect the way you are.” Heard said the group gives her room to show up as herself.

 “I can show off my personality and my style and my flair and feel good about it,” she said.

To learn more, find the Darling Dames on Facebook, email [email protected] or call Terry at 970-787-1074.