As another series of Mad Men draws to a close, it’s time to look back at the clothes and sigh.
Standing out in paradise
Megan’s Hawaii holiday wardrobe is phenomenal. She’s a vision in multicoloured Pucci-esque prints. String bikinis, maxi dresses and kaftans are accessorised with flowers in her hair and an adorable lilac sun hat. She looks tanned, bohemian and beautiful. An artistic free spirit with a massive bank balance.
Couture makeover
Costume designer/alchemist Janie Bryant says Megan is, “more glamorous than ever because she’s a soap-opera star”. She’s a high fashion girl about town with big earrings and bigger hair. Her gold Barbarella-style micro-minidress and her coral lamé number are particularly fetching. The late sixties suit Megan’s face and figure perfectly.
Adventures in facial hair
Harry Crane’s sideburns were a hoot. Equally entertaining was Stan’s beard, now bushy enough to stash his spliffs at work.
All the men except Don start looking groovier as we approach the seventies. Janie confirms, “the ties are bigger, the colours are louder”.
Betty’s weight watcher wardrobe
I love seeing Betty adapt her “incredible closet” to fit her new body shape. She retains her polished, feminine aesthetic although her outfits are frumpier than when she was Don’s trophy wife. Betty still has a fondness for bows, flounces and child rape jokes.
Oh Bets, you adorably dressed creepy bitch.
If I was the writer of Mad Men, first I would rename it ‘All About Joan’. Then I would have Betty pay our Joanie a visit to borrow some of her curve-celebrating dresses. At the end of a lengthy makeover montage to a soundtrack of The Supremes, they would eat cake, before hitting a fabulous Manhattan cocktail bar and shimmying all night long.
One hot mama
When Betty gets her mojo back, she celebrates by wearing a fabulous bejewelled yellow evening gown. She looks great. She knows it, sleazy politician guy knows it, and Henry always knew it – bless him. Her casual look is just as bewitching. Love these denim shorts. As does the petrol station attendant.
No more schoolgirl chic for Pegs
Notice how much her work wardrobe has changed since we first met her. Now she commands authority in stronger colours, striking prints and more expensive fabrics.
In the final episode she wears trousers in the office for the first time. Her kickass tartan pantsuit totally symbolises how far she’s come.
Peggy on the pull
This is a very different Peggy. I thought this was lingerie at first. It’s one of the skimpiest outfits we’ve seen in six seasons of MM. Hello legs, hello cleavage, hello sixties sex kitten.
Secretary style
Scarlet is sassy and bright, even when she’s being fired. I love that she wears gogo boots to the office. By contrast, Dawn’s clothes look homemade. She doesn’t want to risk looking like those harlots in church, after all.
Clara is fashion forward in her stripey waistcoat and matching skirt. And Meredith always wears baby clothes. This was a huge trend in the late sixties. Her oversized bows, dolly dresses and cartoony bouffant make her stand out hilariously in her scenes with Joan.
The other woman
Stuck in the fifties, Sylvia’s classic appearance is the counterpoint to Megan’s youthful, daring style. I do covet some of Sylvia’s outfits though. I would wear the hell out of both of these dresses.
Everything Joan wears
Joan will have her own post because I’m obsessed. Until then, here’s a little taster to tide you over.
Roxy Vintage Style 