Mad Men

[retrosteph]

Hi, What do you all think of the clothes seen in the television series 'Mad Men'?
I love how each female character has such a unique sense of style.
Joan is sassy, Peggy is conservative and Betty is very feminine.

I think I prefer Bettys clothing, very 50's style.

 

[LittleMissPussyCat]

Do you know, I haven't actually seen Mad Men, not sure why.

 

[Drappa]

The clothes are the only reason I watch that show, because otherwise I find it really boring. I love Betty's dresses, but overall really like Peggy's style.

 

[RodeoRose]

This thread is well-timed... I'm starting to get Mad Men withdrawals now that the season's over!! Mad Men is hands-down my favorite show on television these days. The complex character sketches and beautiful cinematography make it seem more like a film than a TV serial. It's funny, I find the plot more riveting than the clothes, though; admittedly there's not much "action" per se, but the character interactions fascinate me, as does the whole concept of witnessing one of history's most turbulent decades through the cold eyes of the advertising world.

If you haven't checked it out yet, fashion bloggers Tom & Lorenzo do a fantastic series called "Mad Style" where they analyze the main characters through their wardrobes:
http://projectrungay.blogspot.com/search/label/Mad%20Style?max-results=18
Definitely worth a read both for the fashion history and to gain a deeper perspective about the characters.

Oh, and my favorite clothes are always Betty's too; she has a very Grace Kelly-esque elegance and so many dreamy New Look-silhouetted dresses.

 

[Puzzicato]

If you haven't checked it out yet, fashion bloggers Tom & Lorenzo do a fantastic series called "Mad Style" where they analyze the main characters through their wardrobes:
http://projectrungay.blogspot.com/search/label/Mad%20Style?max-results=18
Definitely worth a read both for the fashion history and to gain a deeper perspective about the characters.

I love Tom & Lorenzo. I get my Mad Men fashion fix without having to sit through what I consider fairly tedious television.

 

[retrosteph]

Thanks rodeorose, now I can relive the fashion of the show whenever I like!

 

[Lily Powers]

Thanks rodeorose, now I can relive the fashion of the show whenever I like!

I read that Janie Bryant, the show's costume director, is coming out with her own "Mad Men" clothing line. Not only can you relive it, you will probably be able to buy it, too.

 

[jillybeanlynn]

I'm excited that some specifically Mad Men inspired dresses are already available online. I think Banana Republic had a Mad Men line, but it seemed too watered down to really be vintage to me. PinUp Girl has a few Mad Men inspired things. I have yet to order from them so I'm not sure about the craftsmanship of their couture line. But they look great on the website. Like this dress, which is from this photo. And this one, which looks like a take on this blue dress.

Joan Holloway is my absolute favorite, fashion-wise. More than the other two ladies. I wish I had her figure. Ah, well. I'll just have to settle for having similar clothes. Which looks doable, now that I've found this shop. I was shriekingly excited finding this brand. Especially since she will make the dresses to specific measurements if you ask her to. Eeeek!

 

[Land-O-LakesGal]

The Lola looks just like the blue dress. Too bad it doesn't look like she has Joans red blouse too. Great link Jillybean

 

[Miss Golightly]

I LOVE the show - can't wait for Season 4 to become available on DVD. I think the costumes are superb - I particularly love Betty Draper's style....

 

[Foofoogal]

Miss Golightly. With your flair you would fit right in. Teach those gals a few things about vintage style.

 

[Smuterella]

Like this dress, which is from this photo. And this one, which looks like a take on this blue dress.

I have to say, though I like the green dress very much, I think it is a real shame they felt they had to sex it up further by making it so very low cut.

 

[Miss Golightly]

Miss Golightly. With your flair you would fit right in. Teach those gals a few things about vintage style.

Aw - that's so lovely! If only! And if only I could have a fraction of Betty's wardrobe - I would be soooooooooooooo happy!

I do recall that one of the exact dresses that featured in the series was for sale on Etsy earlier in the Summer - one that I was mad about but it wasn't my size - it was this dress that Kitty Romano wore by Cover Girl of Miami - isn't it just heavenly?!!!!!

 

[jillybeanlynn]

The Lola looks just like the blue dress. Too bad it doesn't look like she has Joans red blouse too. Great link Jillybean

It's funny you mention that - I think I read somewhere that the red blouse outfit in that picture was just a modern raw silk skirt and a wraparound top that she pinned in place. Now I'm hunting high and low for a similar top I can do that with.

Although, SHE by Cindy has a requests link on her page too. Meaning any vintage dress you take a real liking to and don't feel like sewing, she can perhaps make for you. I have not bought any of her clothes yet, but I saw the pink and purple Mad Men dress in a size that was too small for me at Buffalo Exchange and it was fully lined and the sewing looked sturdy. The fabric had very little give, though.

~jillybean

 

[vinspired]

Has anybody purchased the book by Janie Bryant?
- I was thinking of purchasing it, but would like to know others thoughts on book [is it worth the $]

From publishers: http://www.hachettebookgroup.com/books_9780446572712.htm

 

[jillybeanlynn]

I have to say, though I like the green dress very much, I think it is a real shame they felt they had to sex it up further by making it so very low cut.

I agree. And in comparing the two green dresses, the remake seems to be a bit sparse in the fabric overall, and the fabric looks a bit thin. Looking at Joan in the dress, I see a lot of fabric gathered in lots of places and it makes the dress look sumptuous.

And heads up ladies! It seems SHE by Cindy is still making one of my absolute favorite Joan dresses. GAH! The ruffles are so great!

 

[W-D Forties]

I have to say, though I like the green dress very much, I think it is a real shame they felt they had to sex it up further by making it so very low cut.

I agree, and the material looks a bit thinner too. I have seen some quite nice 50/60's dresses in the shops lately, but they all seen too short, above knee length (and I'm only 5ft 2!).
There was even a quite lovely one in Tesco (!!!). pencil cut with a red and black print at about 20 quid, but again, too short.

 

[W-D Forties]

http://clothingattescomedia.live.venda.com/content/ebiz/clothingattesco/invt/bd110036/bd110036_l.jpg

It's £16! Just too short!

 

[Land-O-LakesGal]

I agree. And in comparing the two green dresses, the remake seems to be a bit sparse in the fabric overall, and the fabric looks a bit thin. Looking at Joan in the dress, I see a lot of fabric gathered in lots of places and it makes the dress look sumptuous.

And heads up ladies! It seems SHE by Cindy is still making one of my absolute favorite Joan dresses. GAH! The ruffles are so great!

that one is Fabulous

 

[Land-O-LakesGal]

I found a great Joan style dress this fall at JC penneys in their Jones Wear line I didn't post cause I bought it to wear to go to a funeral out of town (I didn't have decent black dress that fit me). I didn't see it on their web site but the Jones wear line does have some nice vintage inspired clothes.