Mad Men

If there’s one thing I noticed about the season 6 premiere of AMC’s Mad Men, it had to be the abundance of facial hair. Particularly, the variety of rumpled beards and ultra long sideburns, even on otherwise clean-cut characters such as Pete Campbell.

But I digress. I’m not here to talk about the abounding “manscapes” that are sure to become even more prevalent as the season progresses; I’m hear to discuss the clothes and accessories of the first episode. Naturally.

I will say that the slow migration toward the ’70s was ultra apparent in this season’s premiere, and not just because of the scruff and all those “dope” and “reefer” references.

Don and Megan’s Resort Wear

I’ll start at the beginning (though I will skip the weird CPR flashback…). We find Don and Megan lounging it up along the tropical beaches of Hawaii and both look fab in their resort wear digs. For the most part, Don adheres to his sort of stringent, stiff apparel, but we do catch him in a pair of seashell-laden red swim shorts. We also see him stray from his standard suit to wear a pale, avocado green number at the impromptu wedding he becomes a key player in.

It’s Megan’s fashion choices that made me swoon though. I’m just going to say it: the best look of the entire episode was worn by Megan on the beach as she snapped a picture of Don at the wedding. The bold purple and orange breezy number, her floppy lavender sunhat, carefree hair and those round, oversized sunglasses came together perfectly. And I may or may not be buying a pair of those sunglasses in the near future. I need them, okay?

Picture Perfect Joan

If I’m going in order of the show, the next outfit to highlight is the form-fitting, frilly purple frock worn by fiery-haired Joan. (Note – ruffles are so hot for SS2013.)

Though we only saw a few minutes of our favorite voluptuous character in this episode, Joan definitely made a statement while standing on the staircase waiting to have her photo taken. Even Roger, who’s forever dapper, muttered something about not wanting to follow “that act.”

Funeral Duds

This whole episode was rife with underlying, mysterious messages and nods toward death. Roger’s mother’s funeral was a more blatant moment in the recurring motif. And while somewhat dark, I couldn’t help but fall in love with another outfit, my second favorite of the episode: Jane’s black and white ensemble.

Roger’s second ex-wife made a brief appearance and, my heavens, she looked divine. Her raven hair was swept up tightly and hiding underneath a tall, off-center hat. The kind of hat that belongs on the cover of haute couture magazines. It was paired with the perfectly applied makeup, oversized pearl earrings and non-form fitting, funeral-appropriate sheath.

In my opinion, Jane has sort of always fulfilled the “on the cutting edge of fashion” role in this show. This particular outfit only furthers my point.

I must admit that I’m excited to see where this late ’60s fashion goes this season. I have a feeling that, in addition to the dapper apparel worn by the Mad Men, we’ll be seeing more of the gritty and gruff sides of fashion that the era was known for, as well. Can’t wait!

By Wendy Rose Gould

WHAT: Fashion Inspired By: Mad Men Online Sample Sale @ Ruelala.com

WHY: Fashion Inspired By: Mad Men. Clothing up to 60% off!

WHEN: 4/7 11am – 4/9 11am

WHERE: RueLaLa.com

*To sign up & access the sales, please click here.

RueLaLa.com

Party like it’s 1965 in the city where the Mad Men worked, smoked, drank and fooled around. After 17 long months, Mad Men is finally back. The fifth season kicks off with a two-hour premiere on Sunday, March 25, at 9 p.m.

Sunday’s episode is called A Little Kiss. Put on your finest 60s threads, blow yourself a little kiss in the mirror, then head out to soak up some authentic Madison Avenue flavor.

Friday night, March 23

Start your Mad Men weekend off on Madison Avenue itself. The Madison Club Lounge on Madison Avenue and 45th Street, has a clubby atmosphere straight out of the 60s. It’s in the Roosevelt Hotel, where Don Draper stayed in Season 2.

Saturday, March 24

Stop off for afternoon tea from 3 to 5 p.m. at the Two E, the swank lounge in the Hotel Pierre, the hotel where Sterling Cooper Draper Pryce set up temporary offices. When you finish your scones, pastries and tea sandwiches, make plans to come back to Two E on any Tuesday evening for special Mad-Men-inspired cocktails and live jazz.

Have a nightcap at P.J. Clarke’s, the saloon that has been around since 1884, just as the Mad Men did in Season 1

Sunday, March 25

Start the day with brunch, from 10 a.m. to 3:30 p.m., at Peacock Alley in the elegant Waldorf-Astoria Hotel, site of Draper’s meeting with Conrad Hilton. Have some raw oysters and champagne in honor of the Mad Men.

Tonight’s the night! You have a choice of two fab viewing parties, one at the Paley Center, a major organization for television-related events, and the other at the Carnegie Club, a swank cigar bar.

Wear your best retro finery, and enjoy a full evening of groovy Mad Men fun at the Paley Center for Media. Start the evening with authentic period cocktails at 8 p.m. From 9 to 11 p.m., watch the premiere live on a big screen along with your hosts from TV Guide Magazine. Enjoy real ads from the early 60s during program breaks. Test your Mad Men knowledge with trivia quizzes. Take home a poster to remember this special night.

Or soak up the lush atmosphere of the Carnegie Club, as you sip on your Mad Men cocktails and nibble on the  complimentary hors d’ouevres. The Carnegie Club is one of the city’s few cigar bars, where it’s legal to smoke  indoors. You’ll think you went back to the 60s in a time machine! The Mad Men event starts at 8 p.m., followed by the premiere episode shown live on the club’s three new large screen TVs.

By Marjorie Richter

It’s a mad, mad world and we all know where we will be (or what our DVRs will be set to) come Sunday at 9PM when Mad Men returns to AMC for Season 5.  The sixties are in full swing in the land of Draper, times are changing and so is the fashion. What will Betty wear this year as she lounges around the house while sipping martinis in style? Will Joan maintain her sultry style around the office? The only way to find out is to watch, but we must wait patiently until this Sunday. To get us ready for the scandalous tales of Madison Avenue, take to this week’s best sales to provide yourself with the modern attire of your favorite character.

Housingworks The Best of Spring Sales Event

Housingworks is the be all end all of affordable vintage. Rustic furniture, gorgeous art, costume jewelry and, of course, dresses straight from the sixties. This Tuesday from 5pm-8pm, Housingworks is offering 25% spring items at their 96th and Broadway, 2569 Broadway, location allowing you to go easy on your wallet and stock up on vintage threads. You never know, perhaps some of these items once lived within the closets of the original Madison Avenue ad men (and women thanks to ladies like Peggy!).

Hugo Boss Friends and Family Sale

Dress your man up in a superbly cut suit from Hugo Boss in order for him to appear as though he belongs seated within the offices of Sterling Cooper Draper Pryce, drink in hand. Maintain your own sleek look as well with a fabulous new dress from the designer at the Hugo Boss Friends & Family Sale beginning Tuesday at 260 Fifth Ave.

Oscar De La Renta Sample Sale

It’s time to glam up for the Clio Awards (where Don won for his Glo-Coat ad) and what better choice than to wear an Oscar De La Renta dress? Beginning Tuesday, the Oscar De La Renta Sample Sale will offer up to 80% off readywear, eveningwear, as well as current pieces at 37 W. 57^th St.

Pucci, Gucci, Dolce & Gabbana Sample Sale

Madison Avenue fashions, handbags and jewelry for up to 75% off at the Pucci, Gucci and Dolce & Gabbana Sample Sale. Beginning Wednesday at Boutique on 57 women of all shapes and sizes, whether you’re a curvy Joan or thin Betty, can relish in designer fashions as they will offer sizes 0-12 in ready to wear apparel.

Come Sunday, all eyes will be on the Don’s and Betty’s of 1960’s Manhattan, but until then make sure all eyes are on you, with the help of a sample sale or two of course.

By Caitlin Colford