Green’s Dictionary of Slang

cheap, gaudy, vulgar, thus fig. reminiscent of a prostitute.

1916		‘New Church’ Times 8 May (2006) 64/2: Let your grin be wide and hearty, / Though the sappers may be tarty – / Never mind.
1929		D.H. Lawrence ‘Tarts’ Pansies 95: I suppose most girls are a bit tarty to-day.
1947		J. Symons Man Called Jones (1949) 166: She really is such a tarty piece.
1952		K. Williams Diaries 22 Jan. 70: Fitting at Wig Creations, where I looked exactly like a tarty lesbian. Should be gay.
1966		B. Reckord Skyvers III iii: The headmaster’ll pass this tarty cleaner coming along the corridor.
1977		(con. 1941) R. Beilby Gunner 288: Her terrified face ludicrous under its mask of tarty make-up.
1991		Reeves & Mortimer Vic Reeves Big Night Out n.p.: He would go out with a dead tarty woman.
1992		R.G. Barrett White Shoes 31: Maybe a little plump with tarty blonde hair poking out from beneath her hat.
2005		J. Stahl I, Fatty 92: [...] dressing up like some tarty woman and showing my knickers.