By Pauline Weston Thomas for Fashion-Era.com
It may not yet be as big as Sex And The City in the noughties, or Dallas in the eighties, but the 'Mad Men' TV series is influencing ladies fashion in the 2010s (series 4 starts in July 2010). If this is a trend for you - great. If not then just be aware of how it affects fashion styles that you observe in 2010.
Table of Contents:
- Mad Men TV Influence on Fashion Trends
- The Main Styling Elements of Mad Men Fashion Looks
- How to Get the Mad Men Look
- Fabric Covered Belts and Fabric Covered Buckles
- Belts in Other Materials Leather - Suede - Studs - Cutwork
- Nick Williams - Leather Goods & Crafted Belts
- Mad Men Ladies Dresses Betty Draper
- Floral Prints
- Slinky Joanie Looks for Curvy Girls Joan Holloway
- The Bombshell Dress by Katya Wildman
- Peggy Olsen Fashion Looks
- Mad Men Golden Globe 2010
The Mad Men TV Show's Influence on Fashion Trends
By 2010 the Mad Men T.V. series has achieved a large following and consequently, its leading ladies have become fashion icons. What we are seeing is how the actresses of Mad Men fame have been inspiring women to regain that feminine look of the early 1960s. Role models like Betty Draper (January Jones), Joan Holloway (Christina Hendricks) and Peggy Olsen (Elisabeth Moss) are women who illustrate how curves, and good fit combine with grace of movement to offer a more subtle sophistication than any strident warrior woman look might achieve.
By the early sixties, dress styles from the 1950s (based on the Dior 1947 New Look) had exhausted all the possible bodice and skirt combinations. Features of this era included covered wide belts, halter necks, swathed draped slim sheaths or full skirts and both silhouettes used bold floribunda - tea and cabbage roses.
Each of these fashion elements has been reworked into new styles by designers of the 21st century. Fashion designers have raided the archives for style inspiration that is too good to be left unseen by a new generation.
For 2010, 'Mad Men Ladies' have inspired pretty trends which put girls into slinky Joan Holloway hourglass silhouettes, or crinoline inspired Betty Draper prom dresses. To adapt to the 2010s these 1960 designs need to be given a little edginess. Footwear, bags, jewellery and scarves can all be jiggled to add diversification from the original concept. Mad Men is translating well to modern times, and will have fashion influence for some time yet.
For Autumn/Winter 2010/11 the catwalk has already declared that better cut classic pieces will be the fashion look that an economy-aware society needs, rather than throwaway cheap garments. Betty Draper looks so good in classic dresses, and so too will you once you find the right silhouette for your body shape. Right - Get the Joan Holloway look for less at Tesco Clothing Collection - From Somewhere to F&F - Stockist Tel: 0800 505555 / www.tesco.com/clothing.
You are reading an original 'Mad Men' fashion article for 2010 by Pauline Weston Thomas only for publication on www.fashion-era.com ©
Janie Bryant is the costume designer behind the women's clothes on Mad Men. She has been hailed as the new Patricia Fields of Sex And The City costuming fame. Janie Bryant pays attention to small details, as a fashion history critic, I find it hard to fault Janie. She always begins with great foundation garments just like the underwear styles women really wore in the early 1960s. Long-line bras, power girdles, stockings or under slip petticoats and tulle net tutu slips all help to create the key looks of the 50/60s era. Just wearing a boned-to-the-waist bra makes a woman hold herself differently, and this changes her posture.
Whilst there are many modern bustier bras and corsets on the market today, one of the few long-line bras that has the audacity to resemble the sort worn in Mad Men is the long running Triumph Doreen bra.
The 'Doreen' comes as a long-line, midi long line or short bra. I have discovered that over their authentic foundations the actresses wear garments that are either made in-house, bought from vintage shops, or rented from costumiers.
The Main Styling Elements of Mad Men Fashion Looks
To create this early Mad Men look you need to absorb the key elements of the era. The main styling elements in the early 1962/3 series are quite different to the very modern Twiggy styles people associate with late 60s mini dresses and dollybird fashion looks.
The simplest way to get an early 60s look is with a perky fuller skirt hovering around the knee, like this spotted skirt at £40 from Oasis.
Add a cropped button cardigan, with short or pushed up sleeves, and the look is easy and every day.
In fact, the style is similar to outfits worn by Fonzie's girlfriends in the Happy Days T.V. shows. Hobbs does a great cardi called the Hobbs Eve Cardigan, £59 and this is shown in citrus sulphur lime right. This cardigan is just the right style to team with Mad Men inspired pants, dresses or skirts. Otherwise, my Mad Men fashion Tips below will guide you.
How to Get the Mad Men Fashion Look Top Ten Tips
For following the early 60s fashion looks, pay attention to:
- Silhouette in dress and form - curvy bodies, curvy fit. Wear structured underwear to achieve early 60s shaping. Corselets and long-line bras by Miss Mary of Sweden, Rago, and the famous Triumph 'Doreen' may seem severe, but they all knock the body into early 60s curves and can be bought from Woods of Morecambe, Damart, Daxon, Grattan or Littlewoods. You can also get modern softer control bodes from Marks & Spencer, Figleaves and BHS. Right - Marks & Spencer Control Body. These control shapewear bodies are ideal for Bombshell Dress looks.
- Pay attention to waistline curves - buy with a wide band as above. Alternatively, belt the waist or wear a contrast colour cummerbund, or use a sash. Jane Norman Spring 2010 Pacific Fern Knee Skirt £32.
No waist - then use an over-blouse feature (about 6cm covering below the waist area) or choose to empire line with higher empire lines that are finely belted, emphasized with a neat bow trim, change of print or contrast color way. The empire styles may have slim sheath skirts or gently flare in A-line silhouettes in the style of Jackie Kennedy. - Pay attention to skirt length. Not too long - not too short. Choose knee length clothes that are hovering on the knee, but not especially above it. You want to show a shapely lower leg with the promise of more mystery above. Knee length clothes give a balanced silhouette, yet create a ladylike effect with a sense of decorum and subtle allure of more to see. The whole point of Mad Men looks is that it revives elegance. If you are under 25 shorter skater looks can also work well.
- You will need 3 definite types of clothes - day, office and night pieces. Plus you might consider adding coordinated beach/pool wear which can fall under daywear but is activity specialist.
- Fabric - Look for checks, spots, stripes, floral and border prints. But also consider modern takes on flora such as digital prints which bring the material up to date whilst paying homage to all the funky Matisse inspired abstract designs of the fifties and sixties. Right - Floral Border Print Summer Prom Dress by Apricot SS10.
- Physically the fastest way to get this Mad Men fashion look is to pay attention to grooming. Be perfectly groomed and stick to your natural skin colour without overdoing fake tan. Facially, opt for true red or coral red lips with made up skin looking clear and fresh and add perfectly applied winged flick upward eyeliner. The flicks are not as Egyptian influenced late sixties Elizabeth Taylor, but artfully enhance and lift the eye in a sophisticated screen star manner.
Upwardly winged spectacles also help re-create the early 1960s era. Next to lips go for matching red and coral nails, never the French manicure or squared off nails. 60s nails were almond-shaped ovals, and mostly painted scarlet red, pearlized pinks or peachy corals. Forget fancy stick-on designs if you want the 'Mad Men Lady' look. - There must also be an obvious trademark 'suit the face shape' hairstyle. This is not a look of recent years, where the concept of one hairstyle suits all, with cloned hair straightened, looks as the winner. This is the opposite of lookalikes. Here every woman wanting to do the Mad Men look should think about how hair best suits her face shape and how can she make it look different to her best friends by coloring her hair, curling it, waving it, smoothing it, or flicking it.
- Another physical aspect is not to overwork the muscle tone. A little exercise like regular walking or basic workout will give a toned shapely figure, but too many muscle and definition workouts will kill the soft womanly look. Think Dita Von Teese softness rather than Madonna muscle definition.
- In the main this look is a pretty, preppy, pink Palm Beach style as far away from utilitarian khaki as possible.
- Vintage and couture garments have all the elements of this way of dressing. Among all those cute dresses look out for vintage belts, covered belts and cute buttons.
You are reading an original 'Mad Men' fashion article by Pauline Weston Thomas only for publication on www.fashion-era.com ©
Mad Men Fashion - Ladies Dresses
Visualise Betty Draper/January Jones of Mad Men fame, and see how easily she might wear these soft pastel summer dresses which hark back to the early 1960s.
The deeper blushing-pink dress has some key elements of Mad Men's fashion styles. I can just see Betty Draper wearing this dress.
Left - Jane Norman Spring Summer 2010 - Premium Collection - Tulip Bodice Halterneck Dress £45.
Near Left - Pale Pink Dress from £24.99 and from a selection at TKMaxx.
Firstly it has a shirt waist effect, with a deep V collar. The dress is sleeveless, but one option might have been for three-quarter sleeves. The skirt is full with easy un-pressed pleats. It has a wide deep belt with covered buckle and covered buttons. In this case, the belt is made as with the same fabric, which was very much a feature of fifties and sixties clothes. Indeed, coats of the fifties and sixties often had a self-fabric-covered belt.
Right - 1960s - The teenager shown is my cousin Gaynor wearing a shirt waist dress with deep covered belt and wide picture collar.
The dress was made by a London brand of the era called Peter Kay. Wide feature collars are a key trend focal point of 50s'/60s dresses.
Fabric Covered Belts and Fabric Covered Buckles
For fabric belts for weddings and special occasions I suggest that you try the long-established UK haberdashery specialist Harlequin, who make covered belts as well as covered buttons. They also make covered buckles, rouleaux strips and matching clutches to order, mostly using your own fabric. I have ordered fabric covered products from them before, and have always been satisfied. Little touches such as matching belts add the early 60s couture touch you may seek for re-enactment or dressmaking/tailoring projects.
High Street Dresses with Fabric Covered Belts and Fabric Covered Buckles
These high street dresses really hit the ladylike early sixties trend. They all have firm-backed self-fabric belts with fabric-covered buckles.
If you sew, then you too can have fabric-covered belts and fabric-covered buckles like the ones made by Harlequin.co.uk, only using your own fabrics.
Above Left - Phase Eight Spring/Summer 2010 Bella Floral Dress £99.
Above Center - Hobbs Vaudeville dress, £159 - Hobbs Spring Summer 2010 Clothing.
Above Center - M&Co Floral 50s Style Red Black Floral Print Sleeveless Wide Collar Dress £40 - M&Co Spring/Summer 2010 - M&Co Ladieswear Stockist Tel: 0800 0317 200.
Above Right - Very.co.uk - Jasmine Guinness Heart Lined 50's Red Dress - £49.
Belts in Other Materials Leather - Suede, Studs and Cutwork
Colorful contrast belts in suede, patent, leather or impressed/cutwork/punched leathers will create the Mad Men look too. For up-to-date leather accessory touches look for studs, leather cutwork, impressed and appliquι layered designs or plaited woven styles.
Nick Williams - Leather Goods & Crafted Belts
For wide deep leather or suede belts made to order, I recommend specialist leather belt designer Nick Williams. Nick trades in leather accessory goods from Worcestershire and can make quality belts in any of over 200 leather/suede colors.
Nick can be contacted at his shop The Belt and Bag Shop at 20 High Street, Droitwich, WR9 8EW - Tel. 01905 779334. I own about a dozen of Nick's belts and there is never a week when I don't select at least one them to pull an outfit together. A belt adds that finishing touch which can pick up any color in your outfit.
At present all the high street shops and online sellers like Oli have a good selection of wide and narrow belts, but for something different or in the exact color you require, a specialist belt retailer is worth a visit. Cinch belts like these make the Bombshell look easy to achieve.
Fever Rose Leather Belt; Oli Cat.No: 13J710WB9; £86 - Gorgeous vintage look leather belt in deep peach orange shade with rose detailing.
Big Organic Prints - Florals & Fauna
The three dresses below would all suit Betty Draper. This is because Betty has great collarbones, which add to her delicate desirable appearance, consequently showing off her neckline is a must.
The first sundress (below left) is the type of piece she might wear when relaxing with her children on a sunny day.
The slim sheath dress covered in huge roses is one she might wear for drinks with her husband Don, and the third halter neck dress also has a summery feel, you can just imagine the couple dancing together on a hot humid night.
Above left - FEVER Summer Fern Sundress Red £65.99 Fever Designs.
Centre - FEVER Elizabeth Rose Dress £59.99 Fever Designs.
Right - FEVER Ocean Halter Dress £69.99 Fever Designs SS10.
Flowers, fruit, cherries, leaves, acorns, grasses, wheat, lilies, berries, bees, birds, butterflies were all featured on fashion fabric prints of the Mad Men era, so naturally when getting this look you'll be half way there if the printed material looks right.
When she is in Grace Kelly mode, I see Betty Draper in lace, chiffon silk or satin gliding across the floor of the country club getting admiring glances from the male club members, and envy from the women.
Left - Corsage Pink/Ivory Halter Neck Dress £50 from Oli.
Centre - Lace Covered Prom Dress & Satin Sash £45 BHS - SS10 Womenswear. With its satin sash this strappy mocha lace dress is also perfect for an occasion such as a prom party or even a wedding.
BHS Stockist Tel: 0845 196 0000.
Right - Holly Willoughby Pink Bodycon Shoulder Detail Dress - £49. A siren dress available from both Littlewoods Ireland and Very.co.uk.
More Mad Men Fashion
Betty Draper also likes to look neat, and the neatness within these pieces below stem from the fresh summer nautical feel of red and white, or navy and white with a red accent. With her blonde hair, Betty would look very dynamic wearing these pieces.
Left - Red/White Striped Bag by Hobbs - NW3 Upton bag, £39. Hobbs Spring Summer 2010 Accessories.
Bottom Left - Red/White Wedge Open Toe Shoe - Schuh Magda Bow Slingback Espadrille Wedge £49.99/65. Schuh S/S 2010 Collection.
Center - Red/White Contrast Halter Sailor Nautical Dress - RARE SPRING SUMMER 2010 - Rare GE-PA697.
Right - Perfect for a PTA meeting this spotted dress is a go-anywhere frock. Red Dress/White Spots - From £14.99 - 19.99 at TK Maxx - Spring/Summer Women's Fashion 2010.
Betty Draper looks so good in classic dresses, and so too will you once you find the right silhouette for your body shape.
As you can see red is a hot trend colour for 2010 and Betty might have gone to the beach wearing a playsuit and red top like this.
If you don't see yourself as a Betty Draper woman, and think of yourself as more vamp like, consider instead the sultry hourglass Joanie (Christina Hendricks) and work her look into your new wardrobe.
You are reading an original article 'Mad Men' fashion trends by Pauline Weston Thomas only for publication on www.fashion-era.com ©
Slinky Joanie Looks for Curvy Girls Joan Holloway
Imagine how these dresses might mold to the figure of curvy Joan Holloway the office administrator, the ultimate ideal secretary of Mad Men TV cult fame.
The precise red dress in quality fabric, makes a woman look stunning and is commented upon long after she stops wearing it. A red dress is not for the shy, yet wearing one can give a woman confidence. If the dress is a perfect fit sculpted and molded to her body, it can give her a screen siren aura.
Left - The ultimate red dress (want one, must-have) - Harvey Nichols - Donna Karan Three Quarter Sleeve V Neck Cross Draped Red Dress £1,055. Details - Donna Karan Dress No. 311162 at Harvey Nichols - Online (UK Customers): 0845 604 1888 and Online (Overseas Customers): +44 (0)160 466 2788.
Right - Phase Eight Red Jersey Dress.
Consider the red dress an investment in the same way you might a black dress. The bold bright LRD is in strong competition with the LBD in 2010.
To do justice to a dress like this most women need the assistance of some power foundation garments. Sculptz by Planet fashion, Gok Wan and Trinny & Susannah have all joined the Spanx bandwagon with their own version of shape wear products. Shapewear is nothing new, but it does seem new to a generation that have mothers who abandoned it.
A little black dress is always a great buy. This one left is by long-established brand Alexon who makes quality classic clothes that last and wear well.
Center- Vintage Inspired Metallic Silver Pencil Dress - Littlewoods.com Trinny & Susannah £75.
Right - Phase Eight Green V Neck Draped Dress at John Lewis.
Sleek dresses in solid hues can be dressed up, or dressed down. They can also be accessorized according to occasion, time of day or weather.
This is a green goddess dress for the redheads like Joan Holloway. Wouldn't she look perfect in this gown or this Bombshell Dress below from UK Costume Designer Katya Wildman.
The Bombshell Dress
This Bombshell Dress shown on the right in fine cotton and covered with 50s/60s style ditzy print of wild strawberries is typical of 'it' dresses that are knocking women into curvy hourglass shapes.
The cut of the drapery is impressive enabling the picture neckline to be adjusted to reveal even more shoulder. You can also arrange this Bombshell dress to show no cleavage or plenty of it.
This must-have dress does, of course, focus on the cinched waist and doing it up is an exercise in breathing in (that's my excuse anyway!), but because of the shirred side bodice panels it sculpts and molds to your body.
I liked the Bombshell Dress so much when I saw it and tried it on in my local boutique, that I had a sleepless night and had to go back and buy one the next day. A good shape-wear body like the one from Marks and Spencer shown further up this page or a strapless bra would help attain the perfect support for that film star shoulder line.
Nigella Lawson reportedly spent £2,000 buying some 12 variations of these Bombshell dresses in different colour ways for her holidays in the Hamptons. Clearly, she has over the years been inspired by other screen sirens like our Joan Holloway bombshell here. I bought my dress in Lynne Craig in Worcester UK. To ring the changes I sometimes wear one of Nick's belts with it. To my way of thinking the UK sizing (8-16) is flattering and possibly on a par with American sizes.
You may also find the Bombshell dresses at established boutiques such as The Cross in Notting Hill, London. The Dispensary at 200 Kensington Park Road is another fashion shop in Notting Hill London that stocks the Bombshell too.
The Mad Men Ladies Dress Alternative
Anyone who wears form fitting dresses all day like Joan chooses has to relax at some point. At home, Joan drops her guard and either dons a simple top or sweater with Capri pants, fitting trousers like these below. In a more seductive mood she might pick out a flowing negligee. In 2010 I suspect your choice may be more inclined toward the Capri style or narrow leg pants shown here than a flimsy negligee.
Left - Top £80, Trouser £70, Necklace £35, Hat £120 - Viyella Stockist Tel: Women's: 01845 573 120
Center - Vivid Electric Blue Gypsy Neckline Top and White Capri Pants - Gerry Weber.
Right - Wallis - Black Sleeveless Blouse £30/47, Zebra Print Narrow Harem Trousers £35/55. Gold Multi Drop Earrings £12/20 - Wallis SS10 Stockist Tel: 08451214520.
All of these outfits would have looked quite acceptable in the early 60s.
Mad Men Fashion - Peggy Olsen (Elisabeth Moss)
Peggy Olsen has a quirkiness that Joanie and Betty don't possess. Much of this is to do with her upbringing and niceness. She is a girl who still likes big sailor collars, spots, stripes and fun bags.
There is still a lot of the young girl in Peggy's dress style and unlike Joan or Betty she does not always emphasize her curves. This red spring coat from Hobbs for example flows over the body loosely and the style is very typical of circa 1963. A slightly shorter version of this coat is currently available at Hobbs for summer 2010.
Top Left - PPQ Striped Red White Jersey Jacket by Littlewoods Ireland - Stockist Tel: 01 811 22 22.
Bottom Left - Phase Eight Spot Cardigan £49.
Center Left - Teatro, Pink Print Mix Spot Dress - Littlewoods.com £59.
Center Right - Reds Check Sleeveless Dress by People Tree - 100% Handwoven Cotton £48. People Tree Spring Summer 2010 Eco Conscious Clothing - Stockist Tel: 020 7739 9659 or peopletree.co.uk
Her clothes often have a look of innocence and then she confounds us by wearing a fashion piece that shows she can be more modern. I think these clothes would suit Peggy well.
The fun spot-cardigan is something Peggy would buy and she would look good in the big madras tablecloth check style frock or the easy dropped waist polka dot dress. Her sophistication is developing as she becomes more attuned to big city life. She is not afraid to be different, and I can see her sporting this Florist picture bag by Lulu Guinness and looking quite cute in her ensemble.
Right - Lulu Guinness Large Florists Shop Jenny Handbag, Stone/Red. This bag costs £225 and is available online at John Lewis. John Lewis has a huge selection of branded bags in every price range.
For the office Peggy might wear neat collared pieces or simple shape jackets. That striped and bow trimmed bag, like the Lulu Guinness bag right, is also one that would lift any outfit from dull to interesting.
Left - Monsoon Fusion Spring Summer 2010 - Green Marisa Cardigan £45/76 Eire.
Bottom Left - Striped Pocket and Bow Navy/White/Red Bag - NEXT.
Center - Red/Black White Collar Cuffs Dress By Oli.
Top Right - Hobbs Luzia Striped Bow Sweater, £59 Hobbs Spring Summer 2010 Clothing.
Bottom Right - Hobbs Navy Madina Jacket £149. This simple unstructured jacket is just the type Peggy might select.
On occasion, Peggy has a penchant for more unusual fashion styles. Her love of collars and mixed prints means she is more adventurous in some ways than Betty Draper or Joan Holloway who already truly know their own fashion style. Peggy, like Ugly Betty (America Ferrera) is still experimenting and sometimes she comes up trumps.
Above Left - Green Dress by Monsoon.
Center - House of Fraser - Mushroom Dress - Small Collar Detail £75, Pied a Terre at House of Fraser.
Right - Nude Chiffon Asymmetric One Sleeve Dress £140, Pied a Terre at House of Fraser - Both Products House of Fraser Stockist Tel: 020 7003 4000.
Peggy would look great in this abstract print summer dress with its large capacious pockets. It's just the kind of unusual dress she would go for. For a conventional business meeting she might wear this flat collar sheath dress and then confound the almost all male team by turning up at the cocktail bar in this gorgeous unconventional, unusual one sleeved draped chiffon dress.
Left - FEVER Amalfi Empire Dress £65.99 This Fever Design is a large floral print retro v-neck yellow sash dress. FEVER Stockist Tel: 0207 6366 326.
Center - Miss Selfridge Summer 2010 Outfit.
Right - Looking ahead to autumn. Monsoon Autumn Winter 2010 - English Heritage Purple Coat with Belt.
In the Mad Men series we often see Peggy travelling to work. This purple coat for autumn has the big collar a feature that Peggy would love. She likes bows and trims like these focus waistlines have.
All in all, Peggy is the new Mad Men woman to watch, as her style develops so she grows into a more confident powerful advertising woman who can think and look good. As the series progresses Peggy develops her own look, becomes more daring, and maybe she will eventually relax in shorts like these.
Shorts, especially white shorts were very popular with all young women after the film South Pacific was a big hit in the 50s.
Right - Matalan - Be Beau Nautical Hot Pant £12 - Matalan SS10 - Key Shapes - Matalan Stockist Tel: 0845 330 3330.
Date added 14 May 2010 - Ref:P.764
You are reading an original article 'Mad Men' ladies fashion for 2010 by Pauline Weston Thomas only for publication on www.fashion-era.com ©
Copyright of images courtesy of Prshots, Marks & Spencer, BHS, Jane Norman, Harvey Nichols, House of Fraser, John Lewis, Oasis, Rare, Monsoon, Littlewoods, Monsoon, M&Co, Schuh, T.K.Maxx, ASOS, NEXT, Alexon, People Tree, Very.co.uk, Gerry Weber, Wallis, Viyella, Warehouse, Miss Selfridge, Hobbs, Warehouse, Apricot, Phase Eight, Tesco, Fever, River Island, 67th Golden Globe Awards © HFPA -2010 and Gaynor.
Date added 14 May 2010 - Ref:P.761.
