Look of the Week: The American Dream

With Mad Men finally back on our screens, the fash-pack’s love affair with vintage Americana style can recommence. For the past five years Mad Men has brought fifties/sixties fashion back […]


With Mad Men finally back on our screens, the fash-pack’s love affair with vintage Americana style can recommence. For the past five years Mad Men has brought fifties/sixties fashion back with a bang to both men and women’s wardrobes. Set in New York during the beginning of the 1960s, Mad Men tells the story of Advertising executives and their beautifully polished wives – think crisp suits, smart ties, full-flared skirts in pastel shades and floral prints, cat-eye sunglasses and dainty jewellery. As the fifth season premieres, the fashion has moved forward with the time and the clothes have transitioned from grey suits to checked jackets and brighter coloured shift dresses. 

 

However, despite this fashion transition on set, designers kept their Spring/Summer 2012 collections decisively in the fifties era with plenty of full skirts and nipped in waists on show at Fashion Week. Prada led the way putting a spin on things with fun Cadillac prints and flame-backed heels hinting at the affluence of the era. Proenza Schouler, Marc Jacobs and Nina Ricci (to name but a few) also followed up on the trend with high-waisted full skirts, exposed midriffs, preppy plaids all glamourised with cat-eye sunglasses. Celebrities have also been getting in on the trend with Kate Bosworth spotted on the red carpet in an Erdem lemon off-the-shoulder dress and Felicity Jones showing off an hourglass figure in Dolce and Gabbana. 

 

Feel inspired but not sure a head-to-toe Betty Draper look is the way to go? Take note of our top five tips to get a subtle hint of late Fifties glamour into your look this week:

  1. Try a structured dress for your next dinner or drinks party. Think sweetheart necklines and cinched-in waists in pastel shades or floral prints with a mid-length hemline.
  2. A skinny belt will highlight your waist and give your figure a more hour-glass shape.
  3. Dare to bare and try a high-waisted skirt with a cropped bandeau top, exposing just a glimpse of midriff. A sheer cardigan can be thrown on top as a subtle cover-up.
  4. Inject plaid prints in pastel colours to add a preppy touch.
  5. Keep jewellery minimal and accessorise with a pair of cat-eye sunglasses to make your look truly retro. 

To get the look, the perfect place to start is at Banana Republic, who have launched their own Mad Men collection featuring dresses, cardigans and jewellery, all similar to what is worn on the show. Sadly for all non-American St Andrews students this is only available at Banana Republic US stores. Miss Selfridge is a good place to start on the High Street to find Fifties-inspired dresses, as is Zara. Topshop has a wide selection of floral and lace structured cropped tops that would complement their large cat-eye sunglasses. A Fifties-inspired look is also a great excuse to go vintage shopping so be sure to check out your favourite vintage haunts for authentic buys. 

 

So, why not make your next social gathering Mad Men-themed and sip on Mai Tais and Old Fashioneds in style? It would give you the perfect excuse to go shopping and try out some of these major Fifties looks. With the show having had such a great impact on so many iconic fashion brands, you’ll do no wrong modelling yourself after Joan or Betty. 

 

Photos © instyle.co.uk, Fashionista.com, lynnnchicago.com