Fashion Madness

Ever since “Mad Men” erupted onto our screen, it's not just been reeling in viewers, it's starting trends. The public have happily taken a sentimental voyage back to the early 1960s via the show. It's the programme that has engrossed television audiences worldwide and changed the face of fashion.

The show has been made particularly exciting by the work of costume designer Janie Bryant. In huge contrast with today’s business leaders, such as Mark Zuckerberg, who can be seen donning jeans and trainers to work, the cast of “Mad Men” are far more appealing and sophisticated. It was a time when men wore hats to work and women wore little white gloves on a daily basis. After watching an episode of the series, who wouldn’t want to live in an era of tailored suiting and gorgeous gowns? It’s easy to see why there is nostalgia for this former era.

Janie Bryant’s success in recreating the look of an advertising agency in the 1960s is the reason why so many women started to lust after 60s inspired designs.

The influence that “Mad Men” has had over today’s fashion trends is substantial. The show seems to be responsible for the obsession with floral print cinched-waist dresses, plaid capes and calf-length pencil skirts. Banana Republic released a third “Mad Men” capsule collection in March (created in collaboration with Bryant). Louis Vuitton used the tv series as inspiration to create full skirts and cleavage enhancing bodices. Some of Prada's pieces from the Spring 2012 show looked like they were just out of the series (see clip below). There were lace car coats, wool coats with nipped-in waists, pleated skirts and heirloom-like carved coral necklaces. Pointy-toe heels, tortoise shell glasses, fedoras, ladylike structured handbags are now increasingly popular and on top women’s ‘wish lists’. Clever eBay sellers are even enticing people to buy their vintage clothes by describing them as "Mad Men Style".

The most obvious example of the “Mad Men” obsession is the return of the suit. Most of the impact was understated (higher waistbands, shorter jackets), however, Michael Kor's 2008 collection was so greatly inspired by "Mad Men" that customers received a free boxset with purchases over $350.

As much as Sex and the City could be enjoyed just for the designer clothes, “Mad Men” is just as watchable for it’s charming, romantic styling.

Mad Men’s influence extends beyond the clothes, and has heralded the return of the hourglass figure. The show has helped to encourage the return of curves to both the screen and magazines. The stunningly curvaceous Christina Hendricks, who plays Joan Holloway in “Mad Men”, has been a key player in this change. She has become an icon, and along with other cast members has been seen in the likes of Vanity Fair, GQ and Vogue.

Keep the Madness coming.