"Mad Men" Fashion Report: The Blue, Plaid, And Fur Fads

They say a new haircut can make you look, talk, and walk differently. If it's a haircut gone wrong - then you'll most likely talk lower and walk slower or faster if you wanted to get the hell out of somewhere before anyone could see you. But if it's a good haircut then your talk and walk is going to scream, "look at me, LOOK AT ME!" In the last Mad Men episode Peggy was screaming and we were all looking.

I personally have never been a fan of Peggy's taste in clothes or color palette but I loved that très chic gray dress she wore. Let's analyze: The bow beneath her collar was big and adorable, the black belt displayed Peggy's itty-bitty waist and she donned a matching black headband on her new coiffure. Maybe it was the hair or maybe it was the dress but Peggy not only brought in the Popsicle account on her own (I was really craving a popsicle after the episode), but she also marched right up to Sterling and demanded her own office. Sterling accepted her request saying, "There are thirty men out there who didn't have the balls to ask me." You go Peggy!!

Did anyone miss today's current trends featured in Mad Men on Sunday night? Ladies and gentlemen take note: scarves, plaid, the color blue, and fur or if you prefer faux-fur is prevalent this fashion season. Ladies, if you ever want to add flare to your basic handbag, then add a fun printed scarf like Joan did to her purple purse. It was visible for a hot second but you can catch it after Joan's fiancé forced himself on her in Draper's office. Joanie, he may be a thoracic surgeon but he is no keeper!

Plaid was everywhere Sunday night and currently during this fall/winter season. Whatever is to your liking and style, you can wear plaid in many different ways. Below you can see how the Mad Men characters wore it and how today's top fashion designers brought it back. Betty flaunted plaid with a pair of pants while Don advertised (no pun intended) plaid in a button up shirt. Or if you really want to go plaid crazy then take a look at Peggy's completely plaid dress.

Dolce & Gabbana Fall '08 from Style.com

D&G Fall '08 from Style.com

Ralph Lauren Fall '08 from Style.com

Another trend currently stacking the shelves is the color royal blue. The Mad Men women followed suit on Sunday by saying bye-bye to pastels and hello to rich royal blue, from Betty's turtleneck to Peggy's cardigan sweater as well as Anna Draper's (the real Mrs. Draper) Christmas dress.

Lastly, I don't think we can forget Bert's sister, Alice Cooper's fur fetish. Not only is she bold in personality but also in fashion sensibility. She sported a fur trimmed pillbox hat and literally an animal, I'm assuming it was a fox around her neck during the meeting with Bert and Roger. When Alice wanted to know where Don was and wanted his opinion on the merger of Sterling Cooper, Roger looked at Alice and said "I'm sorry, I don't know which eyes to look at - referring to the many heads on Alice's fur wrap. I'll be honest, I love fur - real and faux but I would never wear fur wraps with heads included. That's one fashion trend we can leave for the 60's.

Don't forget to bring out your inner Betty, Peggy, and Joan with this week's Mad Men look of the week.

Comments

[Marnie21]

Thanks for insight into the style of Betty (my fav), Joan, and Peggy. I do have to say I love Bettys style but I have a body like Joan, so I cannot pull of plaid pants without drawing attention to my thighs.. Its nice to see how we could take those looks and update them for now. Ive already started building my turtleneck collection and would love to find an affordable plaid dress.

[Eek909]

I really like your Mad Men fashion recaps. And I like the idea of your referring us to the "Betty, Joan, and Peggy" looks of the week. But your picks are definitely on the pricey side! Way too expensive for all us "Betty Homemakers", or Joan & Peggy the Office girls!

I think I'll stick to Goodwill for my Mad Men inspired dresses. You get the real thing, and for $5.48 at that!

[DCMinx]

Mad men has also had a big influence on women's footwear: http://shoeminx.com/the-emmys-a-shoe-bouquet-valentine-to-mad-men-the-best-written-show-in-prime-time/

[Tamoomoo]

I loved Betty's plaid pants. The fox stole was pretty gross, though. Period appropriate, but it reminds me of all the stoles my Great-great Aunt Ethel left to my Grandma. Just... icky!

[KingCardigan]

Loved when Roger told Alice he didn't know which set of eyes to look at.

[Pythia]

I have two similar vintage sets of dark brown and red fox stoles, and one pale stone martens from MY 'great' aunts from the late 30's, 40's. I don't wear them often, but I occasionally do, to honor the gifts I was given. The animals have already been killed, and as I eat meat and wear leather, I try to keep things in persepective, also fashion fresh. I don't wear them 'dowager' style like Alice Cooper (while trying not to think of the rock star), but, like the rock star they can be flamboyant and an incredible style statement, wrapped around the shoulder/underarm of a plain black suit, heads mostly hidden, tail trailing. I've even wrapped them around the forearm of a chocolate plaid suit for a winter's afternoon wedding, and the stone martens look stunning draped over one shoulder of an ivory swing coat tossed on the shoulders atop a form fitting dress.. If any one had "icky" comment thoughts, they kindly kept them to themself. On the contrary, I found myself stared at in admiration, receiving multiple compliments from men and women of all ages that it was nice to see "glamour" again...

Styles are funny, not every woman can pull them off, sometimes it's a matter of confidence, as with a large hat. (Surprise, I love those too, and again the compliments pour in, particularly from men.) I will always appreciate what a finely chosen accesory can do to jazz up an outfit.

[fedupwithhypocrisy]

She "donned" a headband.